Childminder in Hertfordshire

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 12 February 2015 7 December 2009

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Previous inspection: Good 2 How well the early years provision meets the needs of the range of children who attend Requires improvement The contribution of the early years provision to the well-being of children Requires improvement The effectiveness of the leadership and management of the early years provision Requires improvement The setting does not meet legal requirements for early years settings

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This provision requires improvement. It is not yet good because:

 The childminder does not use an effective system to regularly update her own knowledge or identify current weaknesses in her practice. She does not maintain information records for all of the children in her care, accurately record their hours of attendance or provide parents with Ofsted's address. Therefore, she cannot fully assure children's safety and welfare.  Children are not always given the time to process information and respond when the childminder asks questions, in order to fully support their listening and speaking skills.  The childminder does not make the best possible use of the outdoor area to support children's learning at all times of the year. This is because she does not regularly use the garden during the winter months to expand children's opportunities for physical play.

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It has the following strengths

 Children have developed secure attachments to the childminder and enjoy their time with her. She acts as a positive role model by reminding them to use their manners and helps them to negotiate relationships through the groups that they attend. This adequately promotes their well-being.  The childminder has developed suitable partnerships with parents as she involves them in many aspects of their children's care and development. She informs parents of the activities that their children take part in and regularly shares information on their next steps to continue the learning at home. Therefore, children make adequate progress.  The childminder has some understanding of the safeguarding and welfare requirements. She completes detailed risks assessments on all the areas used and has an emergency-evacuation plan in place, which she regularly practises with children.

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What the setting needs to do to improve further

To meet the requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage the provider must:

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What the setting needs to do to improve further

 update knowledge, skills and training to keep abreast of changes to legislation and ensure that the quality of teaching is effective in promoting children's progress  ensure the safe and efficient running of the setting by gaining further details from parents of those children attending only a few hours a week and accurately recording their hours of attendance  ensure that information is made available to parents and/or carers on how to contact Ofsted as appropriate.

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What the setting needs to do to improve further

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

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What the setting needs to do to improve further

 enhance children's developing speech and language skills, for example, by consistently allowing sufficient time for children to respond to questions  maximise children's opportunities to enjoy fresh air and outdoor activities even further by, for example, making the best use of the garden during the winter months.

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What the setting needs to do to improve further

To meet the requirements of the Childcare Register the provider must:

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What the setting needs to do to improve further

 record the name, home address and date of birth of each child who is looked after on the premises and their daily hours of attendance (compulsory part of the Childcare Register)  make available to parents Ofsted's address (compulsory part of the Childcare Register)  record the name, home address and date of birth of each child who is looked after on the premises and their daily hours of attendance (voluntary part of the Childcare Register)  make available to parents Ofsted's address (voluntary part of the Childcare Register).

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Inspection activities

 The inspector observed children's general play and adult-led activities. She discussed the intentions and learning outcomes with the childminder.  The inspector sampled the childminder's documentation including policies, a hard copy self-evaluation and children's folders.  The inspector saw evidence of the suitability of all persons living on the premises and some other documentation in relation to the safeguarding and welfare requirements.

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who attend. This requires improvement

The childminder has an adequate understanding of the learning and development requirements. She completes regular observations of children and carries out routine assessments, including the progress check for children between the ages of two and three years. Therefore, she can identify where additional support may be required. However, as the childminder has not updated her knowledge, she occasionally refers to documentation which is out of date. As a result, she cannot ensure that her planning covers all aspects of children's learning in order to fully challenge them. Nonetheless, children enjoy the experiences provided and the childminder's playful teaching, as she joins in their activities. She engages children in purposeful dialogue and introduces new words to develop their vocabulary. For example, as children practise their smaller physical skills using tongs to transport the play food, she names each vegetable. However, on occasion the childminder

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who attend. This requires improvement

does not allow children sufficient time to think and respond to maximise their opportunities to practise their listening and speaking skills.

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requires improvement

Children behave well, follow instructions and make decisions as they tidy the toys away before choosing their next activity. The childminder plays board games alongside them and encourages them to wait and take turns to develop their social skills. Children feed themselves and attempt to manage their own personal needs. Therefore, they are beginning to acquire the basic skills needed as they move on to school. The childminder walks to and from the school with the children each day, so that they have regular access to fresh air and exercise. Furthermore, she regularly takes them to the local parks to feed the ducks and walks into town. However, children only have access to the outdoor garden occasionally during the winter months. This means that the childminder does not maximise their opportunities to develop their physical skills.

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provision requires improvement

The childminder aspires to improve. She acknowledges that her systems to monitor the educational programmes for children are not thorough enough to ensure each area is fully covered. She uses self-evaluation to identify some priorities for improvement and has established suitable links with other providers. These help her to reflect and improve upon some aspects of her practice, such as working more effectively with parents to meet children's individual needs. However, this has not included providing parents with the relevant contact information should they have any concerns. The childminder maintains good quality records for some children, but for others that attend only a few hours each week these are not as detailed. For example, she does not record personal information or accurately document hours of attendance for children attending before and after school. However, enough information is known to the childminder to take appropriate action in

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provision requires improvement

the case of an emergency. The childminder completes core training, but this does not specifically focus on the quality of teaching to support continuous improvement.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 149626 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 864017 Type of provision Childminder Registration category Childminder Age range of children 0 - 17 Total number of places 6 Number of children on roll 3

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Name of provider

Date of previous inspection 7 December 2009

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Telephone number

The childminder was registered in 1993 and lives in Hitchin. She operates all year round from 8.15am to 5pm, Monday to Thursday, except for bank holidays and family holidays.

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Telephone number

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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Telephone number

procedures set out in the guidance ‘Complaints procedure: raising concerns and making complaints about Ofsted’, which is available from Ofsted’s website: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ofsted. If you would like Ofsted to send you a copy of the guidance, please telephone 0300 123 4234, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk. 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, safeguarding and child protection.

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Telephone number

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Telephone number

T: 0300 123 4234 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ofsted

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