Spalding, Tracey Sara

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 23/01/2014 12/07/2010

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early years provision

This inspection: 2 Previous inspection: 3 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 gives children's safety high priority. She displays a comprehensive understanding of her individual responsibility to protect children and keep them from harm.  Children show that they have formed strong bonds and attachments with the childminder. This effectively supports their feelings of safety and security. Furthermore, children display good levels of confidence and self-esteem.  The childminder provides a wide range of interesting and challenging activities. These are firmly based on accurate tracking of children's good progress.  Good partnerships with parents give the childminder an accurate knowledge of children's abilities and interests. This ensures that she provides interesting and appropriately challenging experiences to promote children's good progress in their learning.

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It is not yet outstanding because

 There is scope to improve links with other settings that children attend in order to further promote consistency and coherence in children's learning and development.

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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 spoke to, and interacted with, the childminder and children throughout the inspection.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector examined a selection of information and documentation relating to the suitability of all adults, children's safeguarding, welfare and developmental progress.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector and childminder jointly observed and discussed children's learning and development during a child-initiated activity.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector looked at the resources and equipment provided and how effectively they are used to support children's play and learning.

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Information about the setting

The childminder was registered in 1999 on the Early Years Register and both the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She lives with her husband and two teenage children, in Hertford, Hertfordshire. The whole of the childminder's house is used for childminding except the office and ensuite upstairs. There is an enclosed garden for outside play. The family has a pet cat and dog.

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Information about the setting

The childminder attends local pre-school groups, the library and visits parks on a regular basis. She operates each weekday from 7.30am until 6pm, with the exception of bank holidays and family holidays. There are currently four children attending who are in the early years age group. Children attend for a variety of sessions. The childminder 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:

 expand the already good partnerships with other providers to further improve the effective links between all settings that children attend.

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who attend

The childminder demonstrates a good understanding of the Statutory framework for the Early Years Foundation Stage and she has attended additional training to support her knowledge. Regular observations are completed on each individual child and these are used to measure children's progress through assessment. The childminder interacts well with children, effectively using opportunities to promote their thinking where possible. For example, as children are engaged in an activity where they have to turn the shape game over to start again. The quality of teaching is good as the childminder skilfully demonstrates how to turn it over to start again. Children learn quickly and soon are competent in their new skill. As a result, children's learning and development is promoted. The childminder intervenes at appropriate times to support children's exploration skills. An example of this is the childminder moving toys further away from babies to motivate their

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who attend

toddling and eventual first independent steps. The childminder provides good activities to support children's good progress across the prime and specific areas of learning. Children explore the indoor and outdoor environment while developing their physical skills and their communication and language skills, as they talk about a range of topics. Children are making good progress in all areas of learning and development. They are acquiring positive skills and dispositions to learning, therefore, they are effectively prepared for school.

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who attend

Children's next steps are clearly identified from the childminder's observations and these are incorporated into the planning of future activities. Adult-led activities are planned around themes which are in line with topics at one of the local pre-schools, this supports consistency in children's learning. Children's physical development is well promoted as they are encouraged by the childminder to use a range of resources indoors and outside where children can climb, jump and bounce safely. Additionally, children use a range of equipment in local parks and play areas to further promote their skills.

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who attend

Partnerships with parents are well promoted because the childminder encourages them to be a part of their child's learning. She obtains a range of information from parents, which enables children to settle quickly, and their ongoing progress is effectively shared. For example, parents speak on a daily basis with the childminder, they share progress that they have seen at home and talk about their children's achievements. As a result, the consistency between the childminder and parents ensures that children's learning and development is effectively promoted.

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

Children's emotional well-being, confidence and self-esteem are well promoted because the childminder enables children to form effective relationships, attachments and bonds. The childminder is a good teacher, she talks to children at their level, and she supports them and values their affection. As a result, children's behaviour is good. The childminder provides an environment which is calm, friendly and welcoming. A good range of suitable equipment and resources are easily accessed by children. This promotes their independence and choice. Children show that they feel confident and secure. They are happy and enjoy their time in this setting, freely exploring the well-resourced environment.

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

The childminder provides good settling-in procedures in partnership with parents. This enables her to ensure that children are happy in her home. As a result, children's care needs and well-being are well supported. The childminder knows the children well and children have developed strong relationships with her. Parent's comments are very complimentary and show that their views are actively sought and valued. Children are developing a good awareness of managing their own personal safety as the childminder provides gentle reminders, such as picking up toys so they do not trip over and hurt themselves. The childminder successfully holds back and encourages children to try for themselves. This is very effective in promoting children's excellent personal independence skills and self-confidence. As a result, children's understanding of their personal safety is good.

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

Children are developing healthy lifestyles because they participate in a wide range of physical exercise activities. They eat a range of healthy meals mostly provided by parents, who work with the childminder to ensure children have a healthy diet. The childminder provides healthy alternatives to individual children who may not want what has been provided that day. For example, a choice of fruit. Babies are encouraged to feed themselves independently; as a result, they are making good progress in their skills. Children show their independence as they eat and use cutlery safely. The childminder encourages children's independence and provides a wide range of resources to enable children to develop across the prime and specific areas of learning. Children thrive on the opportunity to explore and are supported by the childminder. She provides children with what they need to progress further, for example, putting on children's non slip shoes to

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

help them learn to walk. The childminder's care practices are good and ensure that children's welfare and emotional well-being are well met.

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provision

The childminder meets the safeguarding and welfare requirements and demonstrates a good understanding of how to protect the children in her care. Regular risk assessments are completed within the home, to ensure that the house is safe and children can play safely. Additional assessments are completed for any trips and outings into the community. The childminder has completed basic safeguarding training and she is aware of the procedures to be followed in the event of a child protection concern being raised. Additionally, the childminder ensures that suitable checks are carried out on all adults within the home. The childminder has embarked on a level 3 early years qualification to further improve her knowledge and experience with early years children. The childminder displays a clear understanding of her responsibilities. As a result, children are effectively safeguarded. The childminder has a complaints log and this is all in order.

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provision

The childminder demonstrates a good understanding of her responsibility in monitoring and evaluating the teaching and learning she provides. Additionally, she monitors and evaluates children's on-going progress across all areas of learning. As a result, the quality of the learning environment and the activities provided are well matched to childrens needs and interests. Since the last inspection the childminder has improved her practice by obtaining information on who has parental responsibility for the children, she has ensured that risk assessments are carried out including anything with which the children may come into contact with. Good hygiene routines, and the introduction of a systematic approach to using observations and use assessment, has enabled the childminder to effectively plan the next steps in children's developmental progress. These improvements have had a positive impact on children's personal, social and emotional development and

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provision

as a result, children make good progress in their learning and development.

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provision

Partnerships with parents are good because they work together with the childminder. Parents are abler to access information about their child at any time, either verbally or looking through children's progress records. Partnerships with other settings, delivering the Early Years Foundation stage are also good because the childminder endeavours to work closely to promote a consistent approach in children's learning. However, there is room to further improve links with other early years setting that children attend in order to further promote consistency and coherence in children's learning and development. The childminder regularly evaluates her practice through talking to parents and children. This enables the childminder to have an accurate view of the quality of her provision. In addition, the childminder has focused plans of what further improvements she wants to impose and this demonstrates that she has they have the capacity to maintain

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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 123956 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 948920 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

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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