Childminder in Hertfordshire

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 11/02/2014 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

 The childminder understands how to effectively safeguard children in her care. She carefully assesses the risks to her home and minimises these, which ensures that children can use all accessible areas safely as they play.  The childminder has effective policies and procedures to support her practice and develops very good relationships with parents. This helps her to keep very well informed and provide effective care, which is tailored to suit children's personal needs.  Children develop strong bonds with the childminder. This is because she supports their initial move into her care and provides effective ongoing support, which helps them to maintain a feeling of safety and security.  The childminder takes account of children's individual interests. Her generally good teaching effectively supports their engagement in learning. She regularly shares information with parents about children's learning. This means there is effective

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This provision is good

continuity and a high level of parental involvement in children's learning at home.

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It is not yet outstanding because

 On occasion the provider does not fully support children to fully develop their independence. For example, she does not consistently encourage children to dress themselves.  There is scope to increase opportunities for children to explore creative play opportunities, by more regularly providing such equipment for them to play with.

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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 children taking part in a range of activities in the childminder's home.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector looked through a range of relevant documentation, including the childminder's policies, procedures and children's development records.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector held a wide range of discussions with the childminder and interacted with minded children.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector took account of the views of parents through information provided by the childminder.

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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 partner in a residential area of Hoddesdon, Hertfordshire. The whole of the house along with the rear garden are used for childminding.

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Information about the setting

The childminder is happy to attend toddler group and activities at the local children's centre. She visits the shops and park on a regular basis. The childminder collects children from the local schools.

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Information about the setting

The childminder operates all year round from 7.30am until 6pm with the exception of family and bank holidays. There are currently two children on roll in the early years age group who attend after school and part time during school holidays. The provider 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 and further improve children's opportunities to explore and operate information and communication technology equipment, such as computers, torches, cameras and programmable toys in order to consistently develop their understanding about age appropriate equipment and computer software

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

 provide further chances for children to develop independent skills, for example, encouraging them to independently change out of their school clothes.

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who attend

The childminder has good understanding of the learning and development requirements of the Statutory framework for the Early Years Foundation Stage. She uses her knowledge to plan a wide range of experiences for the children. She regularly observes each child's development and maintains a record of their progress. The childminder uses this to effectively plan and provide relevant experiences to meet the individual development needs of all children. This ensures that they are effectively supported and sufficiently challenged, as a result, they make good progress in learning given their age, abilities and starting points. This helps to effectively support children's well-being as they transfer between school and the childminder's care. The childminder understands the importance of arranging toys and equipment so that children can make some independent choices. This enables them to follow their interests,

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who attend

such as drawing and construction. The childminder successfully teaches social interaction through age appropriate discussions about sharing, for example, encouraging children to work effectively together to complete a puzzle. This also helps her to teach children about how to problem solve, successfully working out how to complete their task. However, at times the childminder does not fully promote children's independent self-help skills. For example, at times she dresses children rather than encouraging them to do it for themselves. Children show that they are able to move in a variety of ways using good control and co-ordination in large and small movements. For example, safely negotiating space and competently using pens to draw pictures and for writing. Children have some chances to access information communication technology, for example, they use the childminder's computer to find out information. However, there is scope to enhance

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who attend

children's learning opportunities to further explore and expand their understanding of technology. Communication and language are consistently promoted, for example, the childminder follows children's lead encouraging them to engage in discussion. Demonstrating her interest in what each child has to say, she ensures they have plenty of time to think before replying or speaking. Children respond very well to this support showing their awareness of listeners needs and developing narratives by connecting ideas or events to make their thoughts and ideas clear to others. For instance, telling the childminder that they were 'not well last week and could not go to school', explaining that this made them 'feel sad'.

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who attend

Partnership with parents is strong because the childminder recognises that working closely with parents has a positive impact on children's learning. Parents provide important information about their child's development prior to starting, so that the childminder can gain a clear picture of their individual needs and backgrounds. As a result, children are cared for in a fully inclusive environment.

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

The childminder spends time meeting with parents prior to placement, which ensures that important information about children's individual needs is shared. For example, children's personal care requirements, such as medical conditions, religious observances and parents' wishes. The childminder successfully prepares children's move into her care by providing a flexible settling in period. As a result, they gain a sense of safety and security and settle quickly. The childminder has clearly developed strong bonds with the children attending. The childminder provides good care for children, she maintains two-way communication with parents during placement, supported by detailed daily information sheets. As a result, she remains up-to-date with each child's changing care requirements. This attention to detail supports her to provide continuity of care for all children.

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

Children are well behaved, polite and happy to share and take turns. This is because the childminder explains the simple rules, uses praise and is consistent in her expectations of them. She effectively promotes children's understanding of safe practices by gently reminding them to 'sit on their bottom' in case they fall off their chair and hurt themselves. The childminder has carefully planned the environment. For example, she provides children with a good range of resources and storage is child-height and accessible. This helps towards supporting children to make their own selections, building on their existing independence. However, on occasion the children's self-help skills are not consistently encouraged. For example, at times they rely on her to dress them. This does not fully support children's independence. The childminder uses plenty of positive praise and encouragement, which successfully raises children's self-esteem and confidence. This

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

supports older children's emotional well-being and helps to prepare younger children for their eventual move to nursery.

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

Children are provided with opportunities to spend time in the fresh air, for instance they enjoy going out for walks, playing in the garden and at the local parks. The childminder makes the most of opportunities within the routines to embed learning about health and hygiene through direct teaching. For example, age appropriate discussion helps children to learn about the importance of eating healthy balanced meals and snacks and follow robust hygiene routines.

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provision

Since her registration the childminder has completed safeguarding training, as a result, she demonstrates a good awareness of her responsibility to protect children in her care. For instance, she has thoroughly risk assessed her home and garden, and has implemented effective safety measures, which minimise risks to children. The childminder has a wide range of relevant policies and procedures, which are applied in practice and shared with parents in order to keep children safe and support the smooth daily running of her setting.

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provision

The childminder has a good understanding of her responsibility to ensure that the learning and development requirements are met. Children's progress is monitored closely, which ensures that any gaps in their development are identified effectively. Since registration the childminder has undertaken training, which has helped to improve the quality of teaching and learning. For example, she attended food hygiene training. This has supported her understanding of how to effectively teach children about the importance of safe food preparation. The childminder undertakes regular self-evaluation of her practice, which helps her to successfully identify her strengths and areas she would like to improve further. This demonstrates her desire to consistently improve the service she provides for children and their families. She works closely with parents and children, regularly seeking their opinion to help her improve the service she provides.

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provision

The childminder works very closely with other providers, such as reception class teachers. This ensures that she is fully aware of children's all round development needs, providing them with effective continuity of care and learning. The childminder has developed good relationships with parents who comment that she is 'professional in her work and is kind and caring'. They feel that children 'have fun and are encouraged to learn as well'. In addition, parents state that the childminder has made the transition of 'returning to work so much easier'. This clearly demonstrates parents satisfaction with the service provided.

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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 EY467094 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 934606 Type of provision Childminder Registration category Childminder Age range of children 0 - 17 Total number of places 6 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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