Childminder in Hertfordshire

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 20/12/2013 Not Applicable

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early years provision

This inspection: 2 Previous inspection: Not Applicable How well the early years provision meets the needs of the range of children who attend The contribution of the early years provision to the well-being of children 2 The effectiveness of the leadership and management of the early years provision 2

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This provision is good

 Children are happy and settled in the childminders care. Observations, photographs and assessments in the learning journals show children take part in a wide range of activities which supports all areas of learning.  Children play in a welcoming and well-organised learning environment which enables them to explore and to make independent choices about their play. They are developing good social skills as the childminder provides a calm, child-friendly space for children to play.  The childminder is well-informed and has a good understanding of the importance of maintaining the relevant documents for the safety of the children and for the smooth running of the care arrangements.

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It is not yet outstanding because

 Assessment used for the youngest children do not always fully focus on the most realistic next steps of learning and development to help the childminder consistently share with parents the importance of the prime areas of learning.

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Information about this inspection

Inspections of registered early years provision are:  scheduled at least once in every inspection cycle – the current cycle ends on 31 July

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Information about this inspection

 scheduled more frequently where Ofsted identifies a need to do so, for example where provision was previously judged inadequate  brought forward in the inspection cycle where Ofsted has received information that suggests the provision may not be meeting the legal requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage or where assessment of the provision identifies a need for early inspection  prioritised where we have received information that the provision is not meeting the requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage and which suggests children may not be safe  scheduled at the completion of an investigation into failure to comply with the requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage.

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Information about this inspection

The provision is also registered on the voluntary and compulsory parts of the Childcare Register. This report includes a judgment about compliance with the requirements of that register.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector talked to children and watched them play in the lounge and playroom.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector observed children sitting at the table and enjoying their mid-morning snack.  The inspector talked to the childminder about the children's personal care routines.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector looked at a selection of documents relating to children learning experiences and the welfare and safety of the children.

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Information about the setting

The childminder was registered in 2013 on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She lives with her husband and young child in St Albans, Hertfordshire. The whole of the bungalow is used for childminding. There is an enclosed garden for outside play, the family has a dog.

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Information about the setting

There are currently two children on roll, both of whom are in the early years age group and attend for a variety of sessions. The childminder operates all year round from 7am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, except bank holidays and family holidays. She is a member of the Professional Association for Childcare and Early Years.

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To further improve the quality of the early years provision the provider should:

 review planning for the youngest children to focus more sharply on the prime areas of learning and development so that all parents are fully aware of the most realistic next steps of learning for their children.

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who attend

The childminder plans flexible play opportunities and age-appropriate activities for the young children in her care. Information gained as the children come into the childminder's care, such as the detail on the 'Getting to know me' form. The records on how the children settle in her care are used as the starting points in their learning. The childminder uses the Statutory framework for the Early Years Foundation Stage guidance and supporting documents to monitor and assess the children's progress. Observations, photographs and assessments are based on the seven areas of learning. These record and review the activities and events the children enjoy throughout the week. However, sometimes assessment documents used for the youngest children do not focus on the prime areas of learning. As a result, the next steps in learning and development shared with parents do not always emphasise these areas as the foundation for children's learning. The

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who attend

childminder knows the children well, she adapt activities and the daily routines to ensure children have opportunities to make independent choices about their play. This supports children in making good progress in their early learning skills.

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who attend

Children move freely between the lounge and playroom, they are confident in making decisions about what they want to do. Young children's language is supported well. The childminder sits on the floor with the children to look at a selection of books which are based on their interests and events they enjoy. Children are encouraged to name the animals in the book. These are familiar to the children as they are often taken to the local children's farm. Children listen to the childminder as she teaches them about the animals, she is sensitive in repeating the names and noises the animals make to extend children's pronunciation and vocabulary. Children sit alongside each other, the childminder teaches children to take care in turning the pages and pressing the buttons to activate animal and tractor sounds built into the book. Children show great delight as they use fine hand movements to repeatedly press the buttons. Children are developing good physical skills

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who attend

as they have many opportunities through the week to develop their movement and coordination. They enjoy jumping in the small ball pool, trying to reach and catch the soft balls. They explore inside the play house, bobbing and bending down to peek through the windows, calling to the childminder to see what they are doing.

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who attend

Regular outings to the farm, zoo and play sessions at toddler groups provide children with opportunities to take part in new experiences and learn about the wider world. The childminder plans a broad programme of activities to support and promote children learning. Children are given time to explore, concentrate and to play with resources they enjoy and know how to use. Children are gaining the skills they need to make progress and which supports their learning and prepares them for pre-school, nursery and school.

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The contribution of the early years provision to the well-being of children

Children form strong bonds with the childminder and her family. Regular discussion with parents, the information on the Getting to know you forms and a daily diary ensures children's individual needs are identified, recorded and met. Children show a great sense of self-esteem as the childminder works with parent's to support their social and emotional well-being. The childminder plans events and activities to promote and extend their personal, social and emotional development to a good level.

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The contribution of the early years provision to the well-being of children

The childminder teaches children the social skills they need to play alongside each other and to cooperate. Children respond to the childminder as she uses gentle reminders to take care when they are trying to share in the same activities. They are beginning to understand the simple rules that are in place which means they can share and take turns. The childminder supports kind and helpful behaviour with praise and thanks, this reinforces the children's sense of fairness and sense of importance. The childminder teaches young children to be aware of the environment around them. She encourages them to help to tidy up, to make space for new games and not to tread on their toys. Children are learning the skills they need to keep themselves and others safe as they move around the home and in their play.

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The contribution of the early years provision to the well-being of children

Children learn about a healthy lifestyle as everyday routines are managed well. Children are keen to sit in their high chairs for their mid-morning snack. The childminder supports individual diets, she prepares and makes healthy home-made meals and snacks. She uses oats, and fresh fruits in homemade muffins introducing children to new tastes and textures. Children are learning good personal care skills, they are helpful and cooperative at nappy change time. Children enjoy a range of play experiences in the home, garden and out in the community. Children are confident, they look forward to taking part in new experiences as they have a strong sense of self-awareness and self-esteem.

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provision

The childminder is well-organised. She has a good understanding of the requirements of the Statutory framework for the Early Years Foundation Stage. The childminder uses supporting documents from the internet to prepare for her inspection. Children are protected because the she uses the Local Safeguarding Children Board documents as the basis for her own practice. She understands the importance of safeguarding issues and how to refer any concerns to the appropriate department. Parents are kept informed about the childminder's commitment to providing a safe environment through effective policies and procedures. Robust risk assessments are in place to monitor children's safety around the home and on outings. Children are cared for in a well-managed environment.

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provision

The childminder has established a process to review and reflect on her practice. She takes into account the changing needs of the young children and adapts and changes the resources to consistently support and promote their learning. She regularly reviews the documents she shares with parents and updates them in relation to new arrangements to ensure individual family needs are respected and met. The childminder uses the support services at the children's centre to find out about training and support groups to enable her to share experiences and extend her professional development.

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provision

Partnerships with parents are strong. The childminder shares information on the children's personal care needs on a daily basis. She use applications on her phone and text messages to send comments and photographs so parents can share in their children's play and learning experiences. She seeks the views of parents through a regular questionnaire which shows they are very pleased with the range of toys, activities and events which their children take part in. They enjoy looking at their children's learning journals which enable them to support their children's learning at home. Parents are particularly pleased with the home-cooked food that the she provides to promote children's dietary likes and meet their individual needs. The childminder works very effectively with parents to support children's developing learning and social skills.

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The Childcare Register

The requirements for the compulsory part of the Childcare Register are Met The requirements for the voluntary part of the Childcare Register are Met

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Grade Judgement Description

Grade 1 Outstanding Outstanding provision is highly effective in meeting the needs of all children exceptionally well. This ensures that children are very well prepared for the next stage of their learning. Grade 2 Good Good provision is effective in delivering provision that meets the needs of all children well. This ensures children are ready for the next stage of their learning. Grade 3 Requires improvement The provision is not giving children a good standard of early years education and/or there are minor breaches of the safeguarding and welfare requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage. It will be monitored and inspected within twelve months of the date of this inspection. Grade 4 Inadequate Provision that is inadequate requires significant improvement and/or enforcement action. The provision is failing to give children an acceptable standard of early years education and/or is not meeting the safeguarding and welfare requirements of

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Grade Judgement Description

the Early Years Foundation Stage. It will be monitored and inspected again within six months of the date of this inspection. Met The provision has no children on roll. The inspection judgement is that the provider continues to meet the requirements for registration. Not met The provision has no children on roll. The inspection judgement is that the provider does not meet the requirements for registration.

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Inspection

This inspection was carried out by Ofsted under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 on the quality and standards of provision that is registered on the Early Years Register. The registered person must ensure that this provision complies with the statutory framework for children’s learning, development and care, known as the Early Years Foundation Stage.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY464994 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 925869 Type of provision Childminder Registration category Childminder Age range of children 0 - 17 Total number of places 5 Number of children on roll 2

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Name of provider

Date of previous inspection not applicable

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Telephone number

set out in the guidance ‘Complaints procedure: raising concerns and making complaints about Ofsted’, which is available from Ofsted’s website: www.ofsted.gov.uk. If you would like Ofsted to send you a copy of the guidance, please telephone 0300 123 4234, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk.

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Type of provision

For the purposes of this inspection the following definitions apply:

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Type of provision

Full-time provision is that which operates for more than three hours. These are usually known as nurseries, nursery schools and pre-schools and must deliver the Early Years Foundation Stage. They are registered on the Early Years Register and pay the higher fee for registration.

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Type of provision

Sessional provision operates for more than two hours but does not exceed three hours in any one day. These are usually known as pre-schools, kindergartens or nursery schools and must deliver the Early Years Foundation Stage. They are registered on the Early Years Register and pay the lower fee for registration.

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Type of provision

Childminders care for one or more children where individual children attend for a period of more than two hours in any one day. They operate from domestic premises, which are usually the childminder’s own home. They are registered on the Early Years Register and must deliver the Early Years Foundation Stage.

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Type of provision

Out of school provision may be sessional or full-time provision and is delivered before or after school and/or in the summer holidays. They are registered on the Early Years Register and must deliver the Early Years Foundation Stage. Where children receive their Early Years Foundation Stage in school these providers do not have to deliver the learning and development requirements in full but should complement the experiences children receive in school. achieve excellence in the care of children and young people, and in education and skills for learners of all ages. It regulates and inspects childcare and children's social care, and inspects the Children and Family Court Advisory Support Service (Cafcass), schools, colleges, initial teacher training, work-based learning and skills training, adult and community learning, and education and training in prisons and other secure establishments. It assesses council children’s services, and inspects services for looked after children,

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Type of provision

If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 4234, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk. You may copy all or parts of this document for non-commercial educational purposes, as long as you give details of the source and date of publication and do not alter the information in any way. To receive regular email alerts about new publications, including survey reports and school inspection reports, please visit our website and go to ‘Subscribe’.

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Type of provision

T: 0300 123 4234 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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