Childminder in Hertfordshire

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 12 April 2016 Not applicable

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management Requires improvement Quality of teaching, learning and assessment Requires improvement Personal development, behaviour and welfare Requires improvement Outcomes for children Requires improvement

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This provision requires improvement. It is not yet good because:

 The childminder does not effectively use information from parents and her initial observations to establish each child's starting points. Therefore, she cannot be assured of meeting children's individual learning needs from the very start.  The childminder's ongoing planning is not fully effective. She does not consistently identify children's precise learning needs in order to plan suitable ways to promote their good progress.  The childminder's professional development is not yet sharply focused on enhancing her knowledge and skills and strengthening her understanding of recent changes to legislation and guidance affecting childcare practice.

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It has the following strengths

 Children play in a clean, safe and well-maintained environment. The childminder undertakes regular and effective risk assessments, which help her to identify and to minimise or remove risks to children.  At times, children show a sustained interest in learning. For example, they practise and refine their physical skills as they successfully build a tall tower out of bricks.  The childminder has established close relationships with parents, which helps her to be consistently aware of each child's ongoing care needs. Parents report that the childminder is a very kind, caring, gentle and patient person.  Children spend time outside in the fresh air every day and are beginning to learn about how to stay healthy. They enjoy time in the garden and go on regular walks to local parks with the childminder.

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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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Due Date

 use information gained from parents and from initial observations to accurately identify children's starting points and to plan challenging and enjoyable learning experiences for each child from the start of their time at the setting 26/04/2016

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Due Date

 ensure that information from observations is used to accurately assess and identify children's next steps in learning and plan appropriate ways to promote these. 26/04/2016

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Due Date

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

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Due Date

 strengthen the programme of professional development to build on existing knowledge, enhance teaching skills and increase understanding of recent changes in legislation that affect work with children.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector observed the quality of teaching during activities indoors and assessed the impact this has on children's learning.  The inspector completed a joint evaluation of an activity with childminder.  The inspector held a number of discussions with the childminder. She looked at relevant documentation, such as the childminder's self-evaluation and evidence of the suitability of those living in the household.  The inspector took account of parents' views as expressed through written feedback provided.

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management requires improvement

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective. The childminder understands how to recognise the signs of abuse and is aware of what action to take if she has any concerns about a child. The childminder regularly reflects on the service she provides to families, taking account of their views. This helps her to make some decisions about future improvements that will develop her service. The childminder attends all mandatory training. However, her professional development does not focus on ways to further enhance her understanding of changes to childcare practice and guidance, or to continue building on her knowledge and teaching skills.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment requires improvement

The childminder gathers information from parents and completes some observations of children during the setting-in period. However, she does not use this information to plan activities that will specifically meet children's individual needs. Parents are provided with some updates about children's achievements, such as new words they are learning and progress during toilet training. While the childminder's ongoing planning meets children's interests well, it does not include information linked to their precise learning needs. Therefore, children are not consistently supported to make good progress towards the early learning goals. Children are occupied and enjoy spending time with the childminder and their peers. On occasion, activities lack appropriate levels of challenge. This is because the childminder's expectations of some children fall below their actual abilities.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare require improvement

Children are well behaved and are learning how to keep themselves safe. For example, they respond positively to the childminder's request to tidy up so that they do not trip on toys. However, older children are not consistently encouraged to develop negotiation skills to help them resolve conflicts. Children move around the childminder's home with confidence and ease. They develop close relationships with her and their peers and demonstrate a strong sense of belonging. Children enjoy a balanced range of foods at snack and lunch times, including fresh fruit and vegetables, which help them to grow and thrive. Children enjoy consistent praise from the childminder in celebration of their achievements. They have fun as they explore and investigate resources and their surroundings. Children use their imagination well, for instance, as they use a toy telephone to make a call.

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Outcomes for children require improvement

Children are generally working within the range of development typical for their age. Therefore, they develop some of the basic key skills needed for the next steps in their learning and in readiness for school. At times, children are able to maintain reasonable levels of concentration. Young children show their growing understanding of how to follow simple instructions. For example, they quickly sit on the sofa when asked to, so that they can safely eat a small bowl of fruit. Children have some opportunities to initiate their own learning. They help themselves to toys that interest them and make some decisions about what they would like to do next.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY478188 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 976808 Type of provision Childminder Day care type Childminder Registers Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register Age range of children 1 - 11 Total number of places 6 Number of children on roll 14

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Name of provider

Date of previous inspection Not applicable

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Telephone number

The childminder was registered in 2014 and lives in Sawbridgeworth. 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

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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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