Childminder in Hertfordshire

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 02/05/2014 18/02/2009

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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's good teaching skills support children to learn successfully and grow in confidence.  The childminder works very well with parents and continuously promotes a two-way flow of communication to support children's individual learning needs.  Children develop a very strong sense of belonging with the childminder through her warm and sensitive interaction with them. This shows her strong 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 that their well-being is effectively promoted.

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It is not yet outstanding because

 There is scope for the childminder to extend children's understanding of mathematics and literacy while they are playing outdoors.  There is room to improve children's access to hearing rhymes and stories in other languages to recognise and value all languages spoken by children and their families.

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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 in the premises and in the garden.  The inspector 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 daily diaries and records of learning.

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Information about the setting

The childminder was registered in 2008 and is on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She lives with her partner and children aged seven and three years in a house in Borehamwood, Hertfordshire. The family has two pet cats. The childminder uses the ground floor and first floor of the three- storey town house and the rear garden for childminding. She attends a childminder group and the local children's centre. The childminder visits the local shops and park on a regular basis. She collects children from the local schools and pre-schools. There are currently two children on roll, both of whom are in the early years age group and attend for a variety of sessions. The childminder cares for children all year round from 7am to 7pm Monday to Friday except for family holidays.

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

 enhance the play opportunities in the outdoor area to help children see and use labels, weights and measures to further extend their learning in mathematics and literacy

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

 provide further opportunities for children to recognise, value and use other languages during their play to improve their learning even further.

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who attend

The childminder gathers detailed information from parents prior to children starting with her in an 'All about me' sheet. The information gathered contributes to the childminder's precise and systematic observation and assessments of children's development. This allows her to plan and provide activities that reflect children's interests and learning styles and build on what they already know and can do. Consequently, children's interests and next steps for learning are highlighted clearly. The childminder introduces planned activities using the children's favourite toys. For example, games using dinosaurs are used to promote taking turns and sharing. Children are keen to be involved, eager to learn and to acquire new skills. This results in them making good progress in their learning. The childminder uses effective teaching methods. She offers close and effective support as she gently supports children to complete a large floor jigsaw puzzle. The childminder

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who attend

encourages children to match the colours to find the next piece. She sensitively encourages them to turn the piece to fit, waiting patiently for them to try all the options so they have a real sense of achievement as they succeed. This increases a positive attitude towards learning. Consequently, this prepares children well in readiness for the next stage of their learning and eventually for school. The childminder effectively helps children develop their skills in speaking and listening. She encourages children to talk about their recent activities, their home and lives. She provides new vocabulary and checks their understanding by asking suitable open-ended questions. This successfully promotes children's language development and, in response, children talk readily and with confidence.

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who attend

The childminder provides a rich play environment indoors where children can independently access a good range of resources. She provides lots of opportunities for children to freely use her garden for outdoor play. This includes activities on a larger, more active style. Children enjoy exploring the properties of very wet sand by making impressions of handprints, finger prints and dinosaur footprints. They play imaginatively finding some leaves to feed the dinosaurs. However, the childminder does not fully maximise all learning opportunities for children to explore the practical properties of weight and measure. There are also further opportunities to see and use reading and writing for a purpose when playing outdoors.

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who attend

The childminder works very closely with parents; regularly discussing the children's development. She 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. Parents add their observations to this record to give the childminder a thorough understanding of children's all-round development and progress. This effectively supports the childminder's close relationship with the parents and enables them to be fully engaged in their child's learning at home.

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

Children quickly build secure bonds with the childminder because she takes time to get to know each individual child and their family. Through the frequent discussions with the parents, she provides care routines that match those that parents follow at home. The childminder forms close and warm relationships with the children. She has a kind, patient and caring approach and strives to provide a warm, homely atmosphere, which supports children's personal and social skills well. The childminder helps children to behave well. She is gentle and consistent and this helps children to quickly learn her expectations for good behaviour and to feel safe. The childminder is a good role model, using please and thank you when requesting the children to undertake a task. She visits local toddler groups and children begin to play with others; the reassurance of a familiar adult builds their confidence in bigger groups. These growing social skills and self-assurance help

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

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 provides a wide range of stimulating play experiences and ensures that plenty of toys are easily available for children on their arrival. This helps them to make their own choices. She also has an album of photographs of the toys and equipment to help younger or non-verbal children communicate their wishes. She closely observes children at play to see what resources interest them in order to extend her range of toys to enhance their enjoyment. For example, children enjoy listening to stories and nursery rhymes on audio tapes and the childminder plans to extend the range. However, there is less emphasis on including the home languages of the bi-lingual children. This means there are fewer opportunities for children to see that their home language is always highly valued.

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

Children are learning about healthy eating. They enjoy their meals and have nutritious and varied snacks and meals. The childminder encourages them to contribute their ideas when planning the menus and this increases children's understanding of healthy eating. The childminder actively supports the parents to help their children through the toilet training process and this includes helping children become independent in their self-care skills. Children enjoy freely washing and drying their hands after playing in the sand. The childminder teaches the children to keep themselves safe. She supports them to climb the stairs safely and learn to take suitable risks as they use the challenging play equipment. They exercise vigorously on trips to the local parks, which helps them to experience the positive effects of exercise on their bodies. This effectively supports children to learn about healthy living.

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provision

The childminder has a good understanding of her responsibility to meet the welfare requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage. She has a strong understanding of safeguarding issues as she frequently updates her knowledge through a series of online training courses. The childminder 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 minimises risks in the home and on outings to help keep young children safe. She makes her broad range of written policies and procedures available to parents so that they are clear about her provision. The childminder's documentation is well maintained and up-to-date for the safe management of the provision. There is an effective two-way flow of communication enabling the childminder and parents to share information to ensure the changing needs of their children are met.

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provision

The childminder is ambitious about improving provision and practice and wants the children to receive a highly effective service. She reflects on her practice and recognises where she can make improvements and has a strong programme of professional development. The childminder plans training to enhance her knowledge and skills to further develop her knowledge of how children learn and to support the parents. The childminder monitors children's progress closely to ensure that children are making as much progress as they can. The collection and sharing of extensive information from parents in relation to children's progress keeps them informed. The childminder provides a comprehensive progress check at age two for children of this age in consultation with the parents. This happens in a timely way in order to inform the routine check with the Health Visitor.

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provision

The childminder demonstrates that she is able and prepared to work closely with other professionals as necessary, so that children receive any additional support they may need. The childminder establishes effective partnerships with other providers delivering the Early Years Foundation Stage to children. She gathers and shares information from other settings that the children attend to support children's learning and development and promote a close consistency of care.

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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 EY368303 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 878556 Type of provision Childminder Registration category Childminder Age range of children 0 - 17 Total number of places 4 Number of children on roll 2

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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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