Childminder in Hertfordshire

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 18/02/2014 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

 Children develop strong bonds with the childminder. This is because she ensures that their initial move into her care and ongoing support effectively helps them to develop and maintain a feeling of safety and security.  The childminder knows how to successfully safeguard the children in her care. She takes time to thoroughly consider the risks in her premises and minimises these, which makes sure that children are able to use all accessible areas safely as they play.  The childminder's understanding of children's individual interests and generally good teaching effectively supports them to participate in learning. She regularly shares information with parents about their child's achievements, which promotes continuity and a good level of parental involvement in children's learning at home.  The childminder has a good range of policies and procedures, which effectively support her practice. She develops good relationships with parents, which ensures that she is

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This provision is good

well informed, and able to provide care tailored to children's individual needs.

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It is not yet outstanding because

 The current arrangement for storing children's toys does not fully support them to consistently initiate their own play and learning.  At times the childminder does not fully support children to consistently develop their self-help skills. For example, they are not encouraged to wash their own hands after using the toilet.

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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 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.  The inspector undertook a joint observation with the childminder.

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Information about the setting

The provider 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 two children aged nine and 11 years in a house in Bishops Stortford, Hertfordshire. The provider uses the whole of the ground floor and the rear garden for childminding.

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Information about the setting

The provider attends several local toddler groups. She visits the shops and park on a regular basis. The provider collects children from the local schools.

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Information about the setting

The provider operates term time only from 6.30am to 6.30pm, except for family and bank holidays. There are currently two children on roll in the early years age group who attends for a variety of sessions. 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:

 enhance the current storage arrangements to ensure that children are consistently enabled to initiate their own play and learning

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

 provide further chances for children to develop self-help skills, for example, washing their own hands after using the toilet.

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who attend

The childminder shows a good understanding of the learning and development requirements of the Statutory framework for the Early Years Foundation Stage. She completes observations of children on a regular basis to ensure that she is able to assess their individual stages of development. As a result, plans are on the whole tailored to meet children's individual needs and current interests. The childminder uses a good range of teaching methods, which helps to prepare children for their next stage in learning and their eventual move into main stream school.

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who attend

Children are encouraged to make choices from a wide range of stimulating resources and activities. However, there is scope to further enhance the current storage arrangements to ensure that they are consistently enabled to initiate their own play and learning. Children's sustained participation in learning is effectively nurtured by the childminder's teaching methods because she ensures that their interests are reflected in her planning. For instance, she knows that at present vehicles are of special interest and will capture children's imagination. This provides her with the chance to effectively teach language and communication skills. The childminder initiates conversations with children about what they are doing, ensuring that she plays close attention to what they say. This helps them to understand that it is important to listen when others speak. Children's social skills are fostered well because the childminder ensures that they regularly have the chance to

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who attend

socialise with peers at local toddler groups. This also supports the childminder to effectively teach children about similarities and difference. As children explore and investigate construction bricks the childminder effectively promotes their physical development and introduces mathematical concepts, such as big and small. As a result, children have fun working out how to fit bricks together one by one, explaining that they have 'made a tall house'. They relish the positive attention they receive from the childminder for this achievement, smiling as they jump up and down to demonstrate their delight. They confidently make a display of their creations proudly telling the childminder that they are going to 'show mummy' when she comes.

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who attend

A two-way flow of information is actively promoted with parents before and during their child's placement. This means that the childminder is able to maintain a good awareness of each child's interests and achievements at home. She uses this well to accurately support children's individual development plans. In addition, information about specific ways that parents can support learning at home further supports children's progress.

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

The childminder provides a sensitive settling-in procedure, which effectively meets the individual needs of each child and their family. Children have the chance to visit her home with their parents several times before they start, who feel that this helped them to get to know the childminder and their child's new environment. As a result, children settle swiftly into her service because they feel safe and secure.

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

The childminder ensures that good communication is consistently maintained with parents. As a result, she is aware of children's changing care needs and tailors this to meet them effectively. Children have developed very firm bonds with the childminder, which is clearly demonstrated in their interactions with her. For example, they enjoy cuddling up listening to her read stories. The childminder uses a consistent and effective range of behaviour management strategies. This contributes towards teaching children about what acceptable behaviour is. Overall, children's self-esteem and confidence are promoted well. They receive lots of praise and encouragement from the childminder, which they thoroughly enjoy. Children learn about how to keep themselves safe through daily routines, such as putting toys away after use. The childminder takes time to sensitively explain what could happen if they do not 'we might hurt our feet'. Children respond positively to this

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

approach, showing their understanding by enthusiastically helping her to tidy up.

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

Overall, children's independence is promoted well. For example, they are encouraged to help themselves to a drink when they are thirsty. However, on occasion the childminder does not fully develop children's self-care skills. For example, they are not encouraged to wash their own hands after using the toilet. However, generally children's good health is promoted well. The childminder has undertaken food hygiene training and is registered with her local Environmental Health department. She implements a range of policies and procedures, which effectively support her practice and children's continued good health. For example, she is vigilant in ensuring children's hands are clean before meal times. Regular visits to soft play facilities and walks in the local community means that all children have good opportunities to take part in physical activities and spend time in the fresh air. This helps towards cultivating their understanding about healthy lifestyles.

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provision

The childminder has a clear understanding about effective ways to protect children from harm. She has completed appropriate safeguarding training and has a clear policy in place, which successfully underpins her practice. The childminder can identify potential causes for concern, and knows how to make a referral to the appropriate agency, should it be required. She completes through risk assessments of all areas of her home that are accessible to children. She subsequently takes effective action to ensure that all risks are either eliminated or minimised. For example, she has fitted a safety gate at the foot of the stairs to ensure that children cannot access them unsupervised.

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provision

The childminder is aware of her obligation to ensure that the learning and development requirements are successfully implemented in practice. Since registration she has attended relevant training and made good use of professional publications. This has supported her in successfully extending her knowledge of current childcare practice, which has had a positive impact on children's learning. The childminder spends time reflecting on her practice, as a result, she has successfully identified her strengths and areas of practice, which would benefit from further development. This clearly illustrates the childminders commitment to continually improve her practice and the service she provides for children and their families.

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provision

The childminder effectively works in partnership with other agencies and professionals providing early years care and education. This ensures that children's continuity of care and learning is well supported. The childminder fosters good relationships with parents. For example, she regularly seeks their views and opinions about her service. Parents report that the childminder is 'extremely professional and works in partnership with school and other professionals well to support the children's development'. They also feel that 'communication is really good'. Parents also state that they 'would absolutely recommend' her 'as a great and reliable childminder'.

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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 EY466076 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 936268 Type of provision Childminder Registration category Childminder Age range of children 0 - 17 Total number of places 6 Number of children on roll 6

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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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