Childminder in Hertfordshire

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 28 April 2015 18 July 2011

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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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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:

 Children's health and well-being is not fully supported because the childminder does not obtain written permission from parents to administer medicine.  The childminder does not always help children to fully develop their independence, particularly their self-help skills.  The childminder does not maximise the partnerships with other settings where children attend so that children's learning and development is effectively shared to support their learning even further.

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It has the following strengths

 The childminder creates a nurturing environment for children. She ensures that children's favourite toys are always available, and shares photographs of their families with them. Consequently, they settle quickly, and are confident in her care.  Teaching is good. This is because the childminder has a secure understanding of how to support children's learning and development. She plans a varied range of interesting experiences. For example, children learn to respect the environment as they take packaging to the recycling centre with the childminder, and explore how paper is made.  The childminder has a sound understanding of safeguarding procedures and a clear understanding of her responsibility to make referrals should she be concerned about a child in her care.  The childminder develops strong relationships with parents to ensure they are fully informed about their children's day and their development. There is an effective two-

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It has the following strengths

way flow of information with them to aid children's care and learning.  Children enjoy regular visits to local parks, soft-play centres and woodland. This enables them to build their physical strength and stamina as they balance and climb on equipment, and run freely.

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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

 ensure that written permission is obtained from parents prior to administering both prescription and non-prescription medicine so that children's health and well-being is assured.

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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

 maximise the opportunities for children to develop their independent skills further, for example, by consistently encouraging and supporting children to manage their own clothing and wipe their own noses  strengthen the partnership with other settings where children attend, so that information about children's next steps in learning is consistently shared to support their continuity of learning and development even further.

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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

 keep records of any medicine administered to any child who is cared for on the premises, including the date and circumstances and who administered it, together with a record of a parent/guardian/carer's consent (compulsory part of the Childcare Register)  keep records of any medicine administered to any child who is cared for on the premises, including the date and circumstances and who administered it, together with a record of a parent/guardian/carer's consent (voluntary part of the Childcare Register)

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Inspection activities

 The inspector observed a range of indoor and outdoor play activities, and spoke to the childminder and children at appropriate times.  The inspector conducted a joint observation with the childminder.  The inspector looked at children's assessment records, evidence of the suitability of the childminder and adults who live at the premises, a selection of policies, safety procedures and required documentation.  The inspector took account of the written views of parents.  The inspector reviewed the childminder's self-evaluation form.

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who attend. This is good

The childminder's detailed observations and precise assessments of children's skills enable her to accurately identify and plan for their next steps in learning. She uses both her inviting garden and stimulating playroom to promote all areas of learning well. Consequently, all children make good progress in readiness for school. Children build upon their emerging vocabulary. This is because the childminder introduces them to new words, such as 'chicken coop' as she reads them their chosen books. Children develop superb control and coordination of their movements as they use spoons to fill their small plant pots with soil. The childminder asks them thought-provoking questions to challenge their thinking. Consequently, they predict how many more spoonfuls of soil they need to fill up their pots. The childminder consistently makes learning fun and provides children with high levels of praise. As a result, they are motivated to keep on trying and succeed at

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who attend. This is good

completing activities, such as challenging puzzles.

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requires improvement

The childminder obtains relevant information from parents about children's stage of development and care routines when they first begin attending. This enables her to meet their needs. However, the childminder does not fully support the health and well-being of children whose parents occasionally require her to administer medication to their children. This is because she does not obtain prior written permission from parents to clarify the medical reason for the particular medication and the dosage. The risk to children's health is minimal. This is because the childminder obtains verbal directions from parents and makes a record when she administers the medication. She also ensures that parents sign this when they collect their children. The childminder encourages children to carry out some responsibilities to develop their independence. For example, they help to lay the table and tidy away the toys they have been playing with. However, she does not

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requires improvement

consistently encourage children to manage their own clothing and wipe their own noses. As a result, opportunities to enhance this skill are not maximised.

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provision requires improvement

The childminder has a secure knowledge of most of the requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage. She demonstrates a commitment to continuing to develop her knowledge by discussing good practice with her close network of childminders and attending training. As a result, the childminder now has an enhanced understanding of how to effectively support children to resolve their own minor disagreements. The childminder is reflective and continuously evaluates her practice and monitors the educational programmes. She exchanges information in relation to children's achievements and welfare with other settings that they attend. However, these partnerships are not yet robust. This is because information relating to children's identified next steps in learning is not consistently shared, to further support their continuity of learning.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY336650 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 862693 Type of provision Childminder Registration category Childminder Age range of children 0 - 17 Total number of places 6 Number of children on roll 7

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Name of provider

Date of previous inspection 18 July 2011

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Telephone number

The childminder was registered in 2006 and lives in the Great Ashby area of Stevenage. She provides funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children. The childminder operates all year round, from 7.30am to 6.30pm, 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

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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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