Childminder in Hertfordshire

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 7 July 2015 1 November 2011

p.1

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

p.1

This inspection: Good 2

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

p.1

This inspection: Good 2

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

p.1

This inspection: Good 2

The setting meets legal requirements for early years settings

p.1

This provision is good

 The childminder has a good understanding of child protection procedures. She undertakes regular safeguarding training, which ensures that her knowledge and understanding remains current. As a result, the childminder knows what signs to look out for and how she should report any concerns. This helps to effectively protect the children in her care.  The childminder consistently reflects on her practice. She communicates with children and their parents to find out their opinion of the service she provides. This helps her to identify weaknesses in the quality of her practice and how well children are progressing. She uses this information to devise a monthly action plan that she implements in order to help to drive improvement.  Children in the childminder's care are considered as an extension of her own family. They are supported well from the start of placement to build warm and caring relationships. This effectively helps to nurture their emotional well-being and

p.1

This provision is good

successfully builds high levels of self-esteem and confidence.  The childminder has a good understanding of the learning and development requirements. She promotes children's early communication extremely well through a wealth of learning opportunities. The childminder uses an excellent range of teaching methods, which effectively supports children to confidently use and explore language.

p.1

It is not yet outstanding because:

 During some planned activities, the childminder misses opportunities to challenge younger children and encourage them to build on their skills.  The childminder's partnership with other early years providers is not fully effective in promoting shared learning. This does not effectively help to extend children's individual development.

p.1

What the setting needs to do to improve further

To further improve the quality of the early years provision the provider should:

p.2

What the setting needs to do to improve further

 maximise learning opportunities for younger children, by adapting planned activities to ensure that all children can consistently practice and build on their skills and be challenged further  strengthen partnerships with the other settings that children attend to ensure there is a more consistent and complementary approach to the support they receive.

p.2

Inspection activities

 The inspector observed indoor and outdoor play, snack and lunch time routines.  The inspector talked with the childminder and the children at appropriate times throughout the inspection.  The inspector looked at the evidence of the suitability checks for all members of the household over 16 years and a range of other documentation. First-aid and safeguarding training certificates were viewed.  The inspector held discussions with the childminder in relation to observations of the children's play, learning and progress.  The inspector reviewed the self-evaluation undertaken by the childminder through a range of documents and discussions.  The inspector took account of the view of parents through viewing feedback completed by them.

p.2

who attend. This is good

The childminder uses her good observations and assessments of children to help her plan a wide range of exciting activities. This successfully supports children to gain the learning they need in readiness for their move to pre-school or school. However, some planned activities are not always adapted to embrace the learning needs of younger children to the optimum. For instance, during some activities they are not encouraged to participate as fully as the older children. The childminder consistently uses number language in meaningful situations with older children. This effectively extends and reinforces their understanding. For instance, during activities, older children successfully use addition to calculate how many paper fish they have. Teaching methods used by the childminder are varied, which helps her to support each child's learning style. For example, she ensures that the outdoor learning environment is extremely well resourced. This means that

p.3

who attend. This is good

wherever children choose to play, they have access to resources that meet their learning needs.

p.3

good

The childminder's settling-in procedure is flexible and intended to help children adjust to the new care arrangements and surroundings. As a result, their emotional well-being is effectively supported from the start of placement. Children are happy, they regularly seek out the childminder and involve her in their play. The childminder and parents exchange information about children's needs through discussion and the use of a daily diary. This helps the childminder to continue to provide daily care, which reflects children's routines at home. Children receive consistent and positive behaviour management, which supports them to learn about how their behaviour can have an impact on others. The childminder has attended food hygiene training and talks to children about how to maintain a healthy lifestyle. She teaches children how to care for and grow produce, such as lettuce. She also ensures that they spend time each day in the fresh air. More-able children talk eagerly

p.3

good

about how to behave when near a road, showing their good understanding of how to keep themselves and others safe.

p.3

provision is good

The childminder completes regular risk assessments of her home that helps her to protect children's safety. All required policies and procedures are in place and regularly maintained. The childminder undertakes training opportunities, which helps her to improve the quality of her teaching. This has positive impact on the service she provides to children. The childminder uses professional publications and discussions with other registered providers to keep up to date with current practice. She encourages a mutual exchange of information with parents, which helps both parties to fully support children's learning. However, this good practice is not fully extended to other early years providers that the children also attend.

p.3

Setting details

Unique reference number EY294022 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 848803 Type of provision Childminder Registration category Childminder Age range of children 0 - 17 Total number of places 6 Number of children on roll 10

p.4

Name of provider

Date of previous inspection 1 November 2011

p.4

Telephone number

The childminder was registered in 2004 and lives in Sawbridgeworth. She operates all year round from 7am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, except for bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder holds an appropriate early years qualification at level 3.

p.4

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.

p.4

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.

p.4

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’.

p.5

Telephone number

T: 0300 123 4234 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ofsted

p.5