Childminder in Hertfordshire

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 16/01/2014 13/10/2010

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early years provision

This inspection: 2 Previous inspection: 2 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

 The childminder demonstrates good quality teaching methods by offering activities that are linked to children's interest and supports them to become inquisitive and eager to learn well.  Children develop a very strong sense of belonging with the childminder through her warm and sensitive interaction with them and her long term commitment to caring for them and their families.  Children are kept safe as the childminder has a secure understanding of the safeguarding and welfare requirements. This ensures their well-being is effectively promoted.  The childminder provides plenty of valuable opportunities for children to continue their learning during trips and visits to the local area. Consequently, children's experiences are enhanced and they become confident in new and interesting activities to securely support their developmental progress.

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It is not yet outstanding because

 There is room to improve the amount of print and writing for a purpose and on a larger, more active scale outside in the garden.  There is scope to promote children's listening skills and attention by monitoring the distractions of the television playing quietly in the background.

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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 observed activities on the ground floor of the premises and undertook a joint observation with the childminder.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector talked to the childminder and children at various times throughout the inspection and looked at a sample of the children's records of learning.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector checked evidence of the suitability and qualifications of the childminder and her self-evaluation and improvement plan.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector took account of the views of parents from information included in the childminder's parental survey.

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Information about the setting

The childminder registered in 1999 on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She lives with her partner and two adult children in a house in Leverstock Green, Hemel Hempstead. The childminder uses the whole of the ground floor and the rear garden for childminding. Children use one of the upstairs rooms if they require a sleep.

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Information about the setting

The childminder attends a parent and toddler group and the local children's centre. She visits the local shops and park on a regular basis. There are currently four children on roll, all of whom are in the early years age group and attend for a variety of sessions. The childminder cares for children all year round except for family holidays from 7am to 7pm Monday to Friday.

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

 enhance the opportunities for children to write in a larger more active way while playing outdoors to further extend their experiences and learning

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

 enhance the opportunities for children to listen attentively by keeping background noise to a minimum.

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who attend

The childminder has a good understanding of the seven areas of learning and the quality of teaching is good. She develops a good understanding of children's starting points through talking with the parents and the completed 'all about me booklets' that they provide as their children start at the setting. She confidently introduces activities linked to the interests of the children. The childminder shows the children how to wrap the 'wand' with foil and gives them time to compete the task independently. She extends children's explorations by introducing a further amount of interesting resources, such as shiny shredded paper and various types of foils and shapes. This encourages children to maintain their focus and concentrate for considerable amounts of time. This helps children be ready for the next stage of their learning and eventually be ready for school.

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who attend

The childminder is sensitive to the young children's preferences and gently introduces crayons and messy activities to help children become more confident. She changes the activity to ensure children are fully involved. For example, she gives the young children some of the shredded paper and they are fascinated by the textures and properties of it. The childminder gives appropriate praise by clapping and smiling at the children's achievement of using the crayons for the first time. Consequently, children are inquisitive and eager to learn. The childminder provides a rich play environment indoors where children can independently access a good range of resources. The childminder makes good use of every day materials such as long cardboard tubes for children to investigate. Children make loud booming sounds as they call through the tube and then can see, with delight, the effect of rolling cars down a slope. This helps children experiment with cause

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who attend

and effect and to test their ideas. However, the television is constantly on playing quietly in the background and this can sometimes distracts children's attention from their learning.

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who attend

The childminder skilfully supports children's language development by speaking clearly and introduces different tones and rhythms in her voice. She constantly chats to them, providing new vocabulary and repeating what they say. She responds to their comments and ideas indicating that she is listening. The childminder introduces, with fun, very young children to nursery rhymes to help their emergent speech progress. The childminder provides lots of opportunities for children to use her garden for outdoor play. Children enjoy exploring the outdoor environment by going on 'bug hunts'. However, the childminder has not fully considered how she could make better use of displaying print and writing for a purpose in this area to further enhance children's experiences and learning.

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who attend

The childminder works very closely with the parents regularly discussing the children's development with them and also at home. The childminder frequently sends home to the parents each child's learning record. This includes observations of the children at play, delightful photographs, accurate assessments of the children's development linked to all the areas of learning and the suggested next steps. The childminder completes the required progress check for two-year-old children comprehensively and parents are fully involved in this process.

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

The childminder ensures children are happy and enjoy what they are doing. She is very effective in helping children feel emotionally and physically secure and healthy. The childminder is aware of the importance of attachment. She has previously cared for many of the children's older siblings and photographs of the children's families are well displayed. This gives very valuable opportunities for children to talk about their families and life at home. The childminder gently cuddles and smiles at the children, giving them appropriate praise for their successes. She laughs and applauds as they have just started to walk helping support young children who are learning to take manageable risks. The childminder listens to the views of the children and they choose from a range of interesting resources. The childminder makes sure that the paint blocks are new so children can see and experience mixing the colours for themselves. This helps them to feel

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

important and valued as individuals and develop a strong sense of belonging. The childminder effectively encourages children to interact with others. Children explore and gain confidence in new situations as the childminder takes them to local attractions. The childminder visits local toddler groups and children begin to play with others from the reassurance of a familiar adult this builds their confidence in bigger groups. These growing social skills and self-assurance help children to prepare for their move onto other settings or school in the future.

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

The childminder encourages children to behave well. Children are learning to be considerate to the younger children and to share the toys. They learn about care for living things during farm and zoo visits. They learn how to be respectful as the childminder along with another childminder invests in a butterfly garden and children delighted in seeing the life cycle of a butterfly from the eggs hatching, caterpillars, as they change to chrysalises, and then butterflies before releasing them. The childminder encourages them to tidy up the toys before getting out many more giving a sense of responsibility and independence. Children are learning to keep themselves safe as the childminder organises a visit from a road crossing patrol person and children practice crossing roads safely.

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

Children are developing healthy lifestyles as the childminder encourages them to have a drink at frequent intervals. They are offered a small snack mid-morning to maintain suitable energy levels. Children have frequent visits to parks, adventure playgrounds and soft play areas to use the challenging play and climbing equipment and this helps children feel the benefits of physical exercise.

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provision

The childminder has a secure understanding of her responsibility to meet the welfare requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage. The childminder has a strong understanding of safeguarding issues and is very aware of the procedures to follow should she have a safeguarding concern about a child in her care. As a result, children are well protected. The childminder creates an environment that is welcoming, safe and stimulating. She minimises risks in the home and on outings to help keep young children safe. The childminder completes comprehensive records for the efficient management of the early years provision. She makes her broad range of written policies and procedures available to parents so that they are clear about her provision.

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provision

The childminder is keen to improve her knowledge and practice to provide high quality care and education. She keeps up-to-date with current practice through her close links with the local children's centre and with professional discussions and training with other childminders. The childminder has recently updated her first aid certificate in order to appropriately treat children after a minor accident. The childminder has a current training plan in order to successfully enhance her knowledge and skills. The childminder monitors the children's development to ensure they are making good progress. She works closely with other professionals and demonstrates that she is able and prepared to work closely with other providers as necessary. She provides detailed information on children's progress with future providers and this helps children receive the support they need and provides a strong consistency of care and learning. There is an effective two-way flow of

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provision

communication enabling the childminder and parents to share information to ensure the changing needs of their children are met. Parents report that they and their children are very happy with the service the childminder offers.

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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 129448 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 870987 Type of provision Childminder Registration category Childminder Age range of children 0 - 17 Total number of places 6 Number of children on roll 4

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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

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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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