Childminder in Hertfordshire

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 1 July 2015 28 May 2009

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This inspection: Good 2

Previous inspection: Outstanding 1 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 has a secure understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage requirements and uses this to support children's progress. She manages the individual needs of children with ease and extends their learning at timely moments.  The childminder demonstrates a consistently good quality of teaching. She introduces new words to children and uses a clear tone of voice to offer guidance. This supports all children's communication and language development very well.  Children benefit from regular fresh air and exercise as they take daily walks around the surrounding areas and use the outdoor garden. They develop their physical agility as they bounce on the trampolines, climb the playhouse steps and pedal on the bikes.  The childminder works effectively with parents to ensure children's individual care needs are met. For example, she closely follows the routines of home to provide children with the rest that they need, and she caters for individual dietary

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This provision is good

requirements.  Safeguarding measures are robust as the childminder carries out detailed risk assessments on the premises each day. Furthermore, she teaches children how to identify potential hazards so that they learn how to keep themselves safe.

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It is not yet outstanding because:

 The childminder does not consistently use all available opportunities to promote children's awareness of healthy eating. Therefore, she does not fully develop their understanding of healthy lifestyles.  On occasions, more able children are not encouraged to do things for themselves, such as preparing their own snack, to further promote their growing independence.

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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

 strengthen opportunities to develop children's awareness of healthy eating, to contribute towards their understanding of leading healthy lifestyles  maximise opportunities for more able children to develop their independence skills by, for example, routinely preparing their own food.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector observed children's activities indoors, outside and during the snack and lunch time routines. She talked to children at appropriate times throughout the inspection.  The inspector observed adult-led activities and discussed the intentions and learning outcomes with the childminder.  The inspector reviewed the childminder's self-evaluation form.  The inspector took account of the views of parents through discussions on the day and recently completed questionnaires.  The inspector looked at evidence of the suitability of all adults living in the home and a range of other documentation. Safeguarding and first-aid training certificates were viewed.

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who attend. This is good

The well-qualified childminder and her co-minder provide a stimulating environment for children. The childminder uses her knowledge of the learning and development requirements to implement a balanced activity programme. Therefore, children have time to choose and play with toys of their choice and take part in more focused activities to support their next steps in learning. For example, the childminder offers children a variety of tools to use in the sand to develop their grasp of pouring and handling. She encourages them to make marks in various materials and offers them a selection of large chalks to draw on the patio. These activities help to promote children's smaller physical skills in readiness for school. The childminder encourages children to persevere as they complete puzzles suitable for their age. She offers regular praise for their achievements to develop their confidence. The childminder holds daily discussions with parents to support the two-

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who attend. This is good

way flow of information and promote children's good all-round progress.

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good

Children have developed secure bonds with the childminder and her family. They learn to work cooperatively with other children and show awareness of how younger children may need additional support. This promotes their developing social relationships. Children behave well as the childminder offers gentle reminders about expectations. For example, children are asked not to throw toys and encouraged to use them for the purpose intended. Children are beginning to manage their own personal needs as they competently use the toilet and wash their own hands. However, at times the childminder does not encourage children to do things for themselves to fully promote their independence. For example, children do not cut their own fruit or pour their own drinks. The childminder provides a range of nutritious, balanced meals to promote children's good health and has future plans to introduce a wider variety of choice. However, at present, the childminder

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good

does not always make the most of mealtime opportunities to talk to children about making healthy choices to fully promote their understanding of a healthy lifestyle.

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provision is good

The childminder has successfully addressed her previous recommendations. She uses effective systems to implement planning and shows the clear progress that children make. The childminder and her co-minder work well as a team and take on set roles, which contribute to the smooth running of the provision. In addition, they share ideas for best practice and regularly review the progress of all children. The childminder gathers ideas from an online learning source and a recent craft workshop that she attended. This helps her to ensure that the experiences she offers are interesting and as a result, children are keen and eager to learn. The childminder attends childminding conferences and completes online training through a professional childcare organisation. This helps her to reflect upon ideas and keep herself up to date. In addition, she values the feedback of parents to consider further changes that she can make to support continuous improvement.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY225617 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 848233 Type of provision Childminder Registration category Childminder Age range of children 0 - 11 Total number of places 6 Number of children on roll 20

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Telephone number

The childminder was registered in 2003 and lives in St Albans. She operates all year round from 7.30am to 6.30pm, Monday to Friday, except for bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder works alongside her husband who is also a registered childminder. She holds a recognised qualification at level 3 and provides funded early education to two-, three- and four-year-old children.

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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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