Childminder in Hertfordshire

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 18/09/2014 17/12/2009

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early years provision

This inspection: 2 Previous inspection: 2 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 a good understanding of how children learn through play and how to promote their learning effectively. As a result, children make good progress towards their early learning goals.  Children display very strong bonds and secure attachments to the childminder and her assistant. This is extremely successful in supporting children's feelings of security and emotional well-being.  Children are protected because the childminder has a good understanding of safeguarding procedures and ensures children can play and learn in a secure environment without fear from harm.  Partnerships with parents are valued by the childminder and she ensures they are fully informed about children's progress. This ensures children's achievements are celebrated and their development is promoted consistently.

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It is not yet outstanding because

 There is room to extend partnerships with other settings to share more extensively children's learning, to ensure they make the best possible progress.

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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 indoors and outside.  The inspector looked at children's assessment records and planning documentation.  The inspector checked evidence of suitability and qualifications.  The inspector viewed the areas of the premises and garden used for childminding.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector took account of the views of parents, as recorded in written questionnaires and reference letters.

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Information about the setting

The childminder was registered in 1994 and is on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She lives with her two adult children in a house in Cuffley, Hertfordshire. The whole of the property and the rear garden are used for childminding. The childminder works regularly with her daughter as an assistant. The childminder visits the shops and park on a regular basis. She collects children from local pre-schools. There are currently six children on roll, three of whom are in the early years age range group and attend for a variety of sessions. The childminder operates all year round from 7am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, except bank holidays and family holidays.

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

 extend the arrangements for sharing information with other settings about children's learning and development to ensure that they receive a consistent approach to their learning.

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who attend

The childminder has a good understanding of the learning and development requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage. She regularly observes children's skills and records their assessments and next steps in their individual learning journals. She uses an effective system to consistently track children's progress, which enables her to promptly identify any potential gaps in their learning and monitor their progress. The childminder uses this information well to identify appropriate next steps and plan activities to successfully promote their future learning. Additionally, the childminder understands her responsibility to provide parents with a short written review of their children's progress following completion of the progress check for children between the ages of two and three years. Partnerships with parents are good because the childminder encourages them to take an active role in their child's learning. She gains detailed information from parents

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who attend

about their child's starting points, which enables them to settle quickly and their ongoing progress is effectively shared. Parents speak to the childminder on a daily basis and share information and observations, which are included in the children's learning journeys. This enables parents to share the progress that they have seen at home and talk about their children's achievements. Consequently, children's learning and development is successfully promoted due to communication and consistency between the childminder and parents.

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who attend

The childminder provides a varied range of interesting play experiences which ignite children's curiosity. For example, play dough and a selection of rollers and cutters provide opportunities for children to explore, touch and smell. They develop their physical skills well as they use the tools to roll and cut shapes and squeeze the dough through their fingers. The childminder supports this play by extending their mathematical understanding as she encourages them to count and compare the different dough shapes. Children make choices as they decide what they want to play with. Resources and activities are easily accessible and children confidently explore their surroundings to initiate their own learning. Children regularly go outdoors where there are further learning opportunities as the childminder recognises that each child has their own preferred learning style. Children choose from an exciting range of play equipment, including wheeled toys and balls.

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who attend

Children practise a variety of physical skills as they balance, bounce and run, encouraged by the childminder and her assistant who are on hand to monitor safety and offer children support.

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who attend

The childminder's home is welcoming and children enjoy a warm relationship with the childminder and her assistant. Children show they are settled and they are familiar with the routines in place. They communicate confidently with the childminder and her assistant and they are able to make their needs known. The childminder effectively promotes children's language development through her supportive interactions during play activities and through her intuitive use of open-ended questioning. She communicates and engages with them enthusiastically as they play. She talks to them about what they are doing, questioning children effectively and giving time for them to respond. The childminder shows children how to pronounce some words by responding and repeating what they say in the correct way. Consequently, children develop skills that support their future learning.

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

Children feel comfortable and secure with the childminder and her assistant. They demonstrate they are happy in their care as they easily approach them both for support. The childminder works with parents to find out children's likes and dislikes before they start to help them to settle. She also finds out about their routines so that she can meet their individual needs. This enables the children to settle and develops their self-esteem and confidence. Children are familiar with the routine, following the house rules such as, taking off shoes and hanging up coats on their return from outings in the local area. The childminder and her assistant manage behaviour positively through using praise and encouragement and are consistent in their approach.

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

Children are encouraged to develop healthy lifestyles because the childminder follows appropriate hygiene procedures and practices that meet their physical, nutritional and healthcare needs. Her guidance and support helps children to become independent in their personal care. Children are learning about the need for good hygiene practices as they routinely wash hands before touching food and after visiting the toilet. The childminder offers nutritious snacks and meals which include fresh fruit and vegetables. Clear information regarding children's individual health needs such as, allergies, is obtained and adhered to.

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

The childminder gives appropriate priority to children's safety and well-being. Her home is safe and secure as she undertakes daily checks and regular risk assessments. Children are kept safe as they practise regular fire drills. This allows the children to learn about what to do in the event of an emergency. The childminder also teaches the children about road safety and stranger danger. This enables them to learn how to keep themselves safe and develop skills to underpin their further learning.

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provision

Children's welfare is promoted because safeguarding regulations and duties are effectively met. The childminder has a good knowledge and understanding of safeguarding policies and procedures and is aware of her responsibilities in this respect. She knows how to report and record concerns and has attended relevant training. Children are protected in the event of an accident because the childminder and her assistant hold a current paediatric first-aid certificate. Children play in a secure, safe environment where the childminder completes daily safety checks and regularly reviews risk assessments to promote their welfare.

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provision

Partnerships with parents are strong. The childminder communicates verbally with parents and provides a detailed written record regarding children's welfare and experiences on a daily basis. Parental feedback is positive and reflects gratitude for the care the childminder provides. One parent writes, 'we are very happy with our son's development and he is always happy when I drop him off in the morning'. Another writes, 'our son enjoys spending time the other children reading, doing craft and playing in the garden'. The childminder is aware of the benefits of sharing information with other early years providers in order to provide continuity of learning for children. She exchanges information with the other settings the children attend to share good practice and ensure continuity of learning. However, there is scope to enhance these partnerships further in order to provide children with further continuity in their learning.

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provision

The childminder successfully monitors the educational programmes to ensure that children make good progress. The childminder has an effective knowledge and understanding of the learning requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage. She demonstrates commitment to further improve the quality of provision and her knowledge by attending appropriate training. Through self-evaluation, she takes into account the views of children and their parents and uses this to reflect on the quality of her provision. This enables her to identify areas for development and plan for changes and improvements.

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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. We re-inspect nurseries and pre-schools judged as requires improvement within 12 months of the date of 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

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Grade Judgement Description

is not meeting the safeguarding and welfare requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage. It will be monitored and inspected again within six months of the date of this inspection. Met There were no children present at the time of the inspection. The inspection judgement is that the provider continues to meet the requirements for registration. Not met There were no children present at the time of the inspection. 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 129163 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 870978 Type of provision Childminder Registration category Childminder Age range of children 0 - 17 Total number of places 12 Number of children on roll 6

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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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