Childminder in Hertfordshire

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 10 April 2015 7 September 2011

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This inspection: Good 2

Previous inspection: Good 2 How well the early years provision meets the needs of the range of children who attend Good 2

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This inspection: Good 2

The contribution of the early years provision to the well-being of children Good 2

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This inspection: Good 2

The effectiveness of the leadership and management of the early years provision Good 2

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This inspection: Good 2

The setting meets legal requirements for early years settings

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This provision is good

 Children's learning is fully supported because the childminder works closely with parents. They complete detailed assessments for children when they begin attending and the childminder follows these as she plans activities. Summary reports show that progress is closely monitored and shared with parents.  Children learn about the world around them because the childminder helps them to share each other's culture. For example, she introduces phrases in other languages, such as Japanese, provides dual-language books, and helps children to complete arts and crafts for popular festivals. This helps them to become interested in what they see and hear around them.  Children learn to consider risks in their environment, and keep themselves safe, because the childminder gives them simple reminders. Children replace drawers of toys into storage units to prevent trips and they pick up small toy cars to protect babies

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This provision is good

from harm.  The childminder shares comprehensive information with parents meaning that they are fully informed about her practice. This helps them to understand the Early Years Foundation Stage safeguarding and welfare requirements.  The childminder has a clear understanding and robust procedures relating to aspects of safeguarding, including child protection and safety in the home. Consequently, children are protected.

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It is not yet outstanding because:

 Children cannot always freely initiate their own play and learning because some resources are stored out of their reach.  The childminder has yet to fully embed the sharing of information with all other settings delivering the Early Years Foundation Stage that children attend, to secure consistency and enhance progress further.

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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 the opportunities for children to make independent choices by reviewing the accessibility of resources  extend the communication with other settings delivering the Early Years Foundation Stage that children attend, to ensure there are regular opportunities to share information about children's learning and development, to fully support continuity in their learning.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector observed activities in the childminder's house and talked with the childminder and children at appropriate times throughout the inspection.  The inspector viewed the areas of the premises and garden used for childminding.  The inspector looked at children's assessment records, planning documentation, evidence of the suitability of household members, and a range of other documentation, including the safeguarding procedures.  The inspector discussed with the childminder the activities that had been carried out during the inspection.  The inspector reviewed the childminder's self-evaluation record and discussed with the childminder the methods that she uses to evaluate her practice.

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who attend. This is good

The childminder demonstrates good-quality teaching. She supports children's progress well because she introduces new learning into all activities. For example, children particularly enjoy reading and stories. They love to anticipate endings, predict rhyming words and retell the story to the childminder. They also enjoy non-fiction books and describe what they are seeing to compare, for example, older vehicles with those produced today. The childminder uses a mixture of open-ended questions and quiet observation to support children and follows their lead to optimise their interest. The childminder prepares activities that captivate children. For example, children plant tomato seeds as part of a topic on healthy eating. They demonstrate their confidence as they tell the childminder the sequence of planting and describing what the seeds need to grow. By acknowledging children's ideas, and supporting them to lead the activity, the childminder

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who attend. This is good

makes sure that children know their ideas and independence are valued, which supports their self-esteem. As a result, children are well prepared, both in their learning and emotionally, for their move on to pre-school, nursery or school.

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good

Children develop a good awareness of personal hygiene. They wash and dry their hands using individual towels. They explain to visitors that used towels go in a separate basket; this demonstrates their developing understanding of how to keep healthy. The childminder works closely with parents from the beginning of their contracts. She provides flexible settling-in arrangements and seeks all relevant information from parents to help her provide care that meets children's individual needs. The childminder encourages children to be aware of others. For example, children show consideration for others, such as when they prepare water bottles for those children due to arrive in the home. Children readily become involved in activities linked to current topics. They spend considerable periods of time choosing fruit and using small, safe knives to chop it up to make kebabs as part of their healthy-eating topic. During these planned activities, children are consistently helped

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good

to develop independence which further enhances their emotional confidence.

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provision is good

The childminder demonstrates that she understands her responsibilities in meeting the safeguarding and welfare requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage. She evaluates her practice and attends all required training to help her to continue supporting children's progress. The childminder completes independent study to help her to meet the needs of children attending. For example, recent research has broadened her knowledge of care for under two-year-old children. The childminder fully understands the need to work in partnership with other professional agencies where necessary. She monitors children's progress closely through her observations and the progress check between the ages of two and three years. Consequently, she ensures that all children make good progress.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY264699 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 860622 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 September 2011

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Telephone number

The childminder was registered in 2003 and lives in Stevenage. She operates all year round, from 8am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, 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

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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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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