Childminder in Hertfordshire

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 16/04/2014 05/11/2013

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early years provision

This inspection: 2 Previous inspection: 4 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 has reviewed the procedures to assess and plan for children's individual needs with the support from local schools and the local authority. Children now benefit from the childminder's newly acquired sound knowledge of her responsibilities under the learning and development requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage.  Children learn through play and play opportunities have depth and breadth in the seven areas of learning. The childminder observes children during play and prepares the learning environment to ensure children are challenged in their next steps of learning.  The childminder has introduced new procedures to risk assess the premises in order to ensure the environment is safe and secure for children. The childminder maintains well- documented practice to ensure children's well-being and welfare are protected.  The childminder has a strong commitment to training and is highly qualified. She has a

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This provision is good

realistic monitoring procedure to ensure her practice meets the safeguarding and welfare requirements of the Statutory framework for the Early Years Foundation Stage.

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It is not yet outstanding because

 There is scope to develop further strategies for parents to participate and contribute to their children's individual assessment and planning. This to ensure children can benefit from continuous support in their learning and development at home and at the childminder's provision.

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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 the childminder and interacted with children at different times throughout the inspection.  The inspector had a tour of the indoor and outdoor premises.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector observed children play freely and take part in planned activities. She observed snack time.  The inspector analysed children's individual assessment and planning records.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector looked at a selection of documents to ensure the safety of the children. She reviewed the safeguarding and behaviour management procedures.

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Information about the setting

The childminder was registered in 2005 and is on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She lives with her husband and two children aged 17 and 15 years in a house in Welwyn, Hertfordshire. The whole of the ground floor and the rear garden are used for childminding. The family has a dog.

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Information about the setting

The childminder attends toddler groups and outside activities. She visits the shops and park on a regular basis and collects children from the local schools and pre-schools. There are currently 11 children on roll, six of whom are in the early years age group. Children attend a variety of part-time sessions. The childminder holds a Bachelor's Degree in Early Years and works with an assistant. She operates all year round from 7.30am to 6.30pm, 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:

 strengthen the partnership with parents with regard to children's learning and development to ensure children benefit from the continuity of learning opportunities at home and at the childminder's provision.

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who attend

The childminder has a sound understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage requirements. Since the last inspection she has liaised with the local school and with the Local Authority Early Years Adviser to review and implement her assessment and planning procedures. The childminder routinely assesses children's learning and development. She observes children during play to identify their skills. She uses the information she gathers in routine observations of children to track their individual development. The childminder uses the Early Years Outcomes guidance document to identify the next steps in children's learning. She plans activities to support children in learning new skills. For example, the childminder provides children with different opportunities to learn important early literacy skills, such as the letters of their names. Children enjoy forming their names using magnetic letters and enjoy local walks to find examples of the letters of their names in

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who attend

print in the environment. With the help of the childminder, children identify the letters of their names in story books they read together. The childminder's educational programme enables children to initiate activities according to their own interests. Children make good use of the environment provided for them. Children are encouraged to use their imagination during play and they play cooperatively. They are provided with good opportunities to extend and share their ideas during play. The childminder plans an activity for children to create an Easter craft. Children are provided with a variety of resources and Easter decoration. Each child creates their individual craft, such as a paper Easter egg or a paper Easter bonnet. The childminder makes good use of open-ended questions to encourage children to communicate their ideas and to solve-problems while they create their crafts.

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who attend

The partnership with parents in regards to children's learning and development is good. The childminder understands the importance of working alongside parents to support children. She shares children's individual planning folders with parents and routinely requests parents to contribute to their children's individual planning. She maintains routine discussions with parents about their children's experiences while in her care. However, there is scope to develop further procedures to encourage parents to share even more information about their child's learning at home so that the childminder can use this to contribute towards children's individual planning and assessment. This to ensure children benefit from the continuity of learning opportunities between home and her provision.

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who attend

The educational programme for children has depth and breadth in the seven areas of learning. Children learn important skills to ensure their school readiness. The childminder works closely with the different provisions children in her care attend. She shares children's individual folders with teachers and gathers information from them to ensure children are provided with continued support to progress in their development while at her provision. Children learn important mathematical concepts during play. They count the fruit on their plate during snack time. Children enjoy re-counting the fruit after they eat a piece and after self-serving more fruit. They have good opportunities to socialise with other children. The childminder effectively encourages children to be independent and to communicate their ideas. She provides children with good child-initiated and direct teaching opportunities. Children are comfortable and confident at the childminder's

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who attend

provision. They are keen learners and eager to participate in activities.

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

The childminder and children have created very strong bonds and attachments. She provides children and parents with a welcoming environment and children are happy at her provision. The childminder is very caring and attentive to them. Children and the childminder decide together what they would like to do next. For example, children tell her when they would like to play in the outdoor area. The childminder sets up her daily routines based on the needs of the children. Children behave well and understand the boundaries set by the childminder. She has reviewed her behaviour management procedures and, together with the children, has created the house rules which are displayed for children and parents. Children remind each other of the house rules while playing. For example, children play in the tent in the playroom. The childminder informs them when younger children approach the activity. Children are mindful and caring with

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

their younger friends. Children enjoy each other's company and play cooperatively. The childminder is always with the children and she enjoys playing with them. Children enjoy cuddles with her while they play and when they rest.

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

The childminder engages children in learning important skills in preparation for school. Children independently wash their hands and self-serve during mealtimes. Children benefit from having an individual box where they can keep their personal belongings. For example, they make themselves comfortable by changing into sleeping clothes and robes while at the childminder's provision. She aims to provide children with a home-from-home environment and children are very comfortable at her provision. The daily routines are shared with children and they are confident to communicate their needs and ideas with the childminder. She takes children on daily outings and they learn about keeping safe outdoors. Since the last inspection the childminder has improved her outing procedures. Children wear high visibility vests and learn about the traffic and safety when outdoors. Children benefit from activities the childminder plans for them in order to teach them

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

about the importance of personal hygiene, such as the importance of washing hands. Children independently wash their hands before and after meals and activities.

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

The childminder participates in training to further improve her practice and to ensure children are provided with good standards of care. She promotes healthy living at her provision. The childminder provides children with a variety of healthy meals. Children are offered choices and independently select their snacks. The childminder gives opportunities for children to self-serve their food and children develop important skills during mealtimes. Children are offered water to drink throughout the day. The childminder provides children with good opportunities to exercise and enjoy fresh air on a daily basis. She plans activities for children to enjoy during local outings and to make sure that children develop their skills during outside play. Children are confident in the childminder's care and they demonstrate good self-esteem and self-care because they benefit from her effective support.

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provision

The childminder demonstrates a good understanding of her responsibilities under the safeguarding and welfare requirements. She has reviewed her policies and procedures since the last inspection. She worked closely with the local authority Early Years Advisory Team to improve her practice. The childminder has good arrangements in place to ensure children in her care are safe and secure. She has good risk assessments in place and her provision is effectively prepared to receive children. The childminder has good risk assessments for daily outings with children and effectively teaches children about keeping safe when they are out. Children are secure in her care. They are able to safely explore their learning environment. The childminder maintains comprehensive records of children's care practices and effectively shares them with parents. She works with an assistant to ensure children are well-supervised and ratios requirements are met. The childminder has

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provision

a robust safeguarding policy based on the guidance from the Local Safeguarding Board documents. She is highly qualified and holds a degree in Early Years. She participates in training opportunities to ensure her practice meets the statutory requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage. The educational programme for children is good and reflects their interests and the next steps of their learning. The childminder maintains good assessment and planning procedures for children in her care. She regularly observes children and tracks their development in order to provide them with activities to help them to progress to the next stage of their learning. Children learn early literacy skills through diverse opportunities provided by the childminder. She effectively engages children in learning the alphabet, especially the letters of their names, by implementing teaching during play. Children are encouraged to identify letters in books and on labels. Children learn important skills to

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provision

ensure their school readiness. They learn to be independent with their personal needs and are encouraged to communicate their thoughts and ideas. The childminder effectively supports children in developing their language and communication skills.

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provision

The partnership with parents is good. The childminder consults parents through questionnaires to ensure children's needs are met in her practice. She maintains routine discussions with parents in regards to children's learning and individual needs. However, there is scope to further develop the partnership with parents by sharing even more information. The childminder participates in activities provided by the local children's centre and is part of a childminder's network, enabling her to benefit from opportunities of sharing good practice and ideas. Children and parents are happy with the services the childminder provides them with. They are very supportive and have encouraged the childminder's positive accomplishments since the last inspection of her provision.

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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 EY305309 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 963229 Type of provision Childminder Registration category Childminder Age range of children 0 - 17 Total number of places 6 Number of children on roll 11

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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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