Childminder in Hertfordshire

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 16 June 2015 26 January 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 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 has failed to notify Ofsted of changes to people working at her setting.  The quality of teaching is variable. There are inconsistencies, because the childminder is not identifying, and using children's next steps in learning to plan experiences and guide teaching.  Some of the childminder's assistants are not fully aware of the child protection and safeguarding processes. The childminder has a good understanding but has not made sure that all of her assistants fully comprehend her policies and procedures.  The childminder and her team are not evaluating their practice sufficiently. They have not made plans to tackle weaknesses quickly, or established how to improve the quality and consistency of the teaching.

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It has the following strengths

 The children enjoy the activities on offer. The childminder provides a large range of resources that interest and appeal to children of different ages.  Children's physical skills are developing well. The childminder provides a wealth of opportunities for the children to be active outdoors. They make good use of the swings, see-saw and ride-on toys. The childminder provides plenty of shaded areas for children who are sitting down to play.  Children are very aware of their own safety. They are all eager and happy to wear hats, sunglasses and sun screen to protect them from the sun on hot days. They respond to the childminder's explanations about sun safety and share these with other 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

 improve the consistency in the quality of teaching, by making sure everyone working with the children routinely identifies and uses the individual next steps in learning to plan appropriately challenging activities  ensure that all assistants are trained to understand the safeguarding policies and procedure, in order to respond in a timely and appropriate way should they have any concerns about a child.

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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 quality of the provision for children by undertaking a thorough evaluation of all practice, identify weaknesses and take steps to secure rapid improvements.

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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

 train all staff on the written statement of procedures to be followed to safeguard children from abuse or neglect (compulsory part of the Childcare Register)  inform Ofsted of the name date of birth, address and telephone number of any person working with children (compulsory part of the Childcare Register)  train all staff on the written statement of procedures to be followed to safeguard children from abuse or neglect (voluntary part of the Childcare Register)  inform Ofsted of the name date of birth, address and telephone number of any person working with children (voluntary part of the Childcare Register).

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Inspection activities

 The inspector observed activities in the garden, and reflected on children's learning with the childminder.  The inspector, childminder, assistants and children had conversations at appropriate times during the inspection.  The inspector looked at documentation relating to the day-to-day organisation of the childminding service, children's progress and discussed self-evaluation.  The inspector took account of the views of the parents from information provided by the childminder.  The inspector checked the evidence of the suitability and qualifications of the childminder and the suitability of the assistants and other household members aged over 16 years.

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who attend. This requires improvement

Children enjoy playing with the childminder and her assistants. The childminder makes sure all areas of learning are covered. She offers a range of activities in the playroom, the garden and on local outings. Children like painting, water play and using the musical instruments. However, the quality of teaching is variable, some adults working with the children are not sufficiently skilled to extend learning appropriately. They miss opportunities to enhance the experiences for children, by testing their knowledge and problem solving abilities. At others times, they have unrealistic expectations, making tasks too difficult. The childminder knows children well but is not keeping up to date with observations and assessments. This means she does not use children's next steps in learning to plan accurately to support their individual progress. Some activities for the older children, such as the letters and sounds learning sessions, help to prepare them for

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requires improvement

Children's care needs are met. Adults follow children's routines for sleep and this helps them to settle and feel secure. All adults place hygiene and safety as priorities. Since the last inspection, arrangements for hand drying have improved. As a result, children now use disposable paper towels. Children behave well because adults have high expectations. Adults encourage children to say please and thank you, and to share the toys. Children have a clear understanding about the need to drink plenty of water in the hot weather, and they enjoy healthy snacks during the day. Children are confident and happy to be part of a large group. Not all of the adults working with the children have a secure understanding of the child protection procedures, which does not fully assure children's welfare.

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provision requires improvement

The childminder has failed to notify Ofsted of the changes to those aged over 16 years working at her setting. She has, however, ensured that they have a Disclosure and Barring Service check and hold a current paediatric first-aid certificate. The childminder understands her responsibility to meet the requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage and acknowledges the weaknesses in practice, particularly in training her less experienced assistant. She takes sole responsibility for working with parents and other settings that the children attend, passing on messages and sharing information about children's learning. The childminder is working with an external assessor to support the assistants on training programmes. The meetings with the assessor, childminder and assistants form part of the supervision arrangements. However, they are not using these meetings effectively enough to help them decide on the necessary improvements, and to

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provision requires improvement

act quickly to address the weaknesses. Nevertheless, everyone working with the children demonstrates a willingness to attend further training and to develop their skills to secure the necessary improvements.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY347591 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 863186 Type of provision Childminder Registration category Childminder Age range of children 0 - 17 Total number of places 12 Number of children on roll 18

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Name of provider

Date of previous inspection 26 January 2011

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Telephone number

The childminder was registered in 2007 and lives in Ware. She operates all year round Monday to Friday, except for bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder provides overnight care. She works with three assistants and she holds a formal childcare qualification at level 3.

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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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