Childminder in Hertfordshire

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 9 June 2015 21 February 2012

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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

 The childminder uses effective teaching methods, such as, repetition, modelling language and open-ended questioning to support children's emerging communication and language skills.  The childminder regularly asks parents for updates on children's routines and the things they like. This enables her to continue to support and meet their changing care needs.  The childminder is committed to improving her practice. She continually updates her childcare knowledge through training courses, network groups and information she gains from the internet, using this to enhance her practice.  The childminder has a secure knowledge and understanding of safeguarding practices, and fully understands her role in keeping children safe. This is further supported by written policies, procedures and risk assessments to ensure that children are cared for in a safe and secure environment.  The childminder works closely with other agencies involved with children. For example,

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This provision is good

she uses suggestions from the health visitor to develop a more detailed plan, on how to support children's identified needs and help them make progress.

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It is not yet outstanding because:

 The childminder does not always make the most of routine times and the environment to promote opportunities for children to understand that print has a meaning, and to begin to recognise letters and words, such as their name.  The childminder does not always make use of information from parents about children's learning and development at home, in order to enrich the activity planning.

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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 opportunities to develop older children's skills in recognising letters and words, such as their name, by providing more labels with print within the environment  enhance the planning of activities, by making greater use of updates from parents about their children's learning and development at home.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector observed general play and lunchtime routines in the two rooms. She spoke with the childminder and children at appropriate times throughout the inspection.  The inspector looked at evidence of the suitability of household members and a range of other documentation. First-aid and safeguarding training certificates were viewed.  The inspector held joint discussions with the childminder in relation to observations of the children's play, learning and progress.  The inspector reviewed the childminder's self-evaluation.

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who attend. This is good

The childminder has developed her systems for observation and assessment, so that they clearly show children's progress. She plans for their next in learning. However, the childminder does not always make full use of parents' updates to inform the planning, and promote children's development to the maximum. Young children spend time exploring the resources available. For example, they learn how to wind the handle and press the button to release the toy motorbike on their own. They experiment feeling different textures as part of their topic on senses. The childminder encourages them to describe how the cornflour feels on their hands, and children use vocabulary, such as sticky and squidgy. Older children use their finger to write their name in shaving foam. Children regularly share books with the childminder. However, she does not maximise opportunities for children to begin to recognise letters or their name, because there is a lack of labels

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who attend. This is good

and print displayed at child height within the environment.

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good

The childminder gathers detailed information from parents initially to assist her in understanding, and consistently meeting children's individual care needs. She builds close attachments with children, who thoroughly enjoy her company and actively involve her in their play. Children develop social skills and confidence, as they mix with others at the childminding setting and toddler groups. The childminder encourages them to be independent and manage their self-care needs competently. For example, they put on their coats to go outside and young children feed themselves. She shares books about starting school with the children, and for them to take these home to share with their parents. Children are familiar with the surroundings, as they go with the childminder to collect older children from school. This helps to prepare them for the move to nursery and school. The childminder provides a well-balanced, nutritious diet for children and they

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good

follow good hygiene practices. She ensures children spend time outdoors each day, either playing in the garden or visiting the local park on the way back from school.

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provision is good

The childminder clearly understands the requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage. She closely monitors children's progress, enabling her to identify any areas where they need further support. The childminder is able to reflect on the care she offers children, and seeks the views of parents to support her in evaluating her practice. Positive comments from parents state that she is flexible with care arrangements, altering her practice to accommodate the needs of working parents. The childminder builds on her knowledge through her links with the local children's centre, and is a member of an approved childminding organisation. This has a positive effect on improving her planning, by extending the learning opportunities she offers children. For example, recent attendance at the childminding conference refreshed her knowledge of using every opportunity to promote children's speech and language, through songs and conversation.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY341538 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 862910 Type of provision Childminder Registration category Childminder Age range of children 0 - 11 Total number of places 6 Number of children on roll 7

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Name of provider

Date of previous inspection 21 February 2012

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Telephone number

The childminder was registered in 2006 and lives in Ware. She operates all year round from 7.30am 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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