Childminder in Hertfordshire

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 30/09/2014 18/03/2009

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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 quality of teaching effectively supports children to be highly motivated to learn and develop.  Children are kept safe from harm because of the childminder's secure knowledge and understanding of child protection and risk assessment.  The childminder monitors and evaluates her provision well and has a keen drive towards improvement that means there is continuous enhancement of children's learning experiences.  Children develop a very strong sense of belonging with the childminder through her warm and sensitive interaction with them.

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It is not yet outstanding because

 The childminder does not always engage all parents in sharing children's achievements and experiences at home, to enable her to maximise their learning through complementary activities.  The childminder does not fully display signs and labels at a height suitable for young children to see and use, to reinforce their understanding of routine activities including the house rules and menu.

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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 on the ground floor of the premises, the garden and she undertook a joint observation with the childminder.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector talked to the childminder, the childminder's assistant and to children at various times throughout the inspection and looked at a sample of the children's records.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector checked evidence of suitability and qualifications of the childminder, the childminder's assistants and her self-evaluation and improvement plan.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector took account of the views of parents in the references and comments provided to the childminder.

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Information about the setting

The childminder registered in 2007. She is registered on the Early Years Register and both the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She lives with her son aged seven years in a house in Cheshunt, Hertfordshire. The whole of the ground floor and the rear garden is used for childminding. The childminder attends a childminder group and the local children's centre. She visits the local shops and park on a regular basis. She collects children from the local schools and pre-schools. There are currently five children on roll, two are in the early years age group and attend for a variety of sessions. The childminder works with one and occasionally two assistants at various times during the week. 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:

 build further on the good partnerships with parents, for example, by developing effective ways for parents to share information about children's learning that takes place at home

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

 enhance the use of pictures displayed at a low level to help children show their appreciation of routine activities and to understand the menu or house rules.

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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. She uses this information to contribute towards her precise and systematic observation and assessments of children's development. Consequently, children's interests and next steps for learning are highlighted clearly. This allows the childminder to plan and provide activities that build on what children already know and can do. The childminder ensures that there are age-appropriate toys which she links to children's interest. She supports children's fascination in stories effectively with good quality books that she displays well. The childminder encouraged the children to turn the pages and to push the buttons on the interactive books. She encouraged children to find and make the sounds of the animals in the pictures and identified children's understanding as they retold the story using model animals and pictures. This helps children to make

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who attend

good progress in their language and gain confidence with the close support of the childminder. The childminder has a good understanding of the seven areas of learning and effective teaching methods. She skilfully supports children's early speech and communication skills by speaking clearly and slowly. She constantly chats to them, imitates sounds and repeats what they say and do. The childminder details the good progress children have made, noting in particular how they are beginning to talk with confidence. The childminder sensitively supports children to persevere and learn new skills. She encouraged them to pat down and to fill the gaps when they were filling a mould with damp sand. Children showed a strong expression of delight with their achievements. Consequently, this presents a positive attitude towards learning and prepares them well in readiness for the next stage of their learning and eventually for school.

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who attend

The childminder keeps the parents well informed of their children's development through holding regular conversations with them. She develops this further by sharing of information to complete the progress check for two-year-old children in a timely way. However, not all parents are sufficiently encouraged by the childminder to share what their children learn and achieve when they are at home. Therefore, children's wider experiences are not fully considered when planning for their individual needs.

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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 for children that reflect what parents follow at home. The childminder forms close and warm relationships with all the children. She has a kind and caring approach and strives to provide a warm, homely atmosphere, which supports children's personal and social skills very well. She gently helps them to be respectful and caring of each other, and to negotiate and take turns. This allows children to share successfully and, as a result, they are developing their emotional security and close friendships with each other. The childminder encourages children to be independent in their self-care skills. Young children visit the bathroom independently, manage putting on their clothing and are aware to protect their dignity and the personal space of their

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

friends. These growing social skills and self-assurance help children to be emotionally ready for the next stage of their learning.

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

Children explore and gain confidence in new situations as the childminder takes them to local attractions. Younger children enjoy visiting local museums and rhyme-time sessions. They begin to play with others while the reassurance of a familiar adult builds their confidence in bigger groups. This helps children to prepare for their move onto other settings or school in the future. The environment is welcoming and child orientated, and this develops children's levels of independence effectively. The childminder provides a wide range of challenging play experiences and ensures that there are plenty of toys available for children to choose. This helps children engage easily and freely in their learning. There are interesting displays of learning materials and children's pegs are labelled with their names and photographs. However, the childminder displays the menu and house rules above children's height, which are in the written form without pictures.

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

This does not fully reinforce young children's understanding of the house rules or routines. Children learn the benefits of exercise to build healthy bodies. They move around the childminder's home safely and enjoy energetic play on the challenging play equipment in the garden and during outings. The childminder shows children how to use the equipment safely on visits to soft play areas. She teaches the children to use the swing for themselves and encourages them to look and make sure that the space around them is clear. This helps children to be safety conscious and take manageable risks without being fearful. Children are learning about healthy eating as the childminder provides nutritious, freshly prepared meals according to parents' wishes. Children enjoy snacks, such as fresh fruit and vegetables, and the childminder sensitively encourages children to try new tastes in order to extend their healthy eating habits.

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provision

The childminder has a secure understanding of her responsibility to meet the safeguarding and welfare requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage. The childminder has a strong understanding of safeguarding issues and is very aware of the procedures to follow if a child protection concern were to arise. Children are effectively protected as a result. The childminder creates an environment that is welcoming and safe. She minimises risks in the home and on outings and has strong contingency plans in case of emergency. The childminder works with an assistant on a day-to-day basis and occasionally, during school holidays, uses another assistant. The childminder and daily assistant holds a current paediatric first-aid qualification, which enables them to deal with any minor accidents or injuries. Staff are specifically informed of her methods of protecting children and they get to know the children well in order to meet their needs. All assistants are thoroughly

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provision

supervised and hold current Disclosure and Barring Service checks. The childminder completes comprehensive records for the effective management of her service. She keeps detailed registers and ensures correct ratios are maintained at all times.

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provision

The childminder demonstrates a good understanding of how to promote children's progress throughout the Early Years Foundation Stage. She effectively monitors their learning and development by highlighting development statements. This ensures that she can easily identify children that are not progressing as rapidly as expected and plan future activities to quickly narrow any gaps in their achievements. The childminder demonstrates that she is able and prepared to work closely with other providers and childcare professionals. This ensures that children receive continuity of care and prepares them well for the eventual move to full-time school.

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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 has a detailed improvement plan. The childminder attends regular childminder advisory groups to shape her professional development and improve her teaching and knowledge of how children learn. Parents comment how pleased they are with the service the childminder offers.

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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 EY365602 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 896734 Type of provision Childminder Registration category Childminder Age range of children 0 - 8 Total number of places 6 Number of children on roll 5

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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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