Childminder EY403986

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 6 June 2016 10 April 2013

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3

Effectiveness of the leadership and management Requires improvement Quality of teaching, learning and assessment Good 2

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3

Personal development, behaviour and welfare Requires improvement Outcomes for children Good 2

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

 The childminder does not keep an accurate record of children's attendance at her setting.  The childminder does not always take the necessary steps to minimise the spread of infection, in order to promote children's good health.  The childminder does not use self-evaluation effectively to target the areas of practice that she needs to improve.  The childminder's professional development is not always sharply focused on strengthening her understanding of recent changes to practice and guidance.  Information gathered from parents when children first start focuses mainly on care routines. The childminder does not seek enough initial information about what children already know and can do.

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It has the following strengths

 The childminder interacts and supports children as they play. She joins in games and follows children's lead, introducing further learning opportunities. She introduces mathematical concepts, such as length.  Children develop strong bonds with the childminder. They are settled, content and enjoy their time in the childminder's home. They demonstrate a secure sense of belonging and they independently access a range of resources to support their play and learning.

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What the setting needs to do to improve further

To meet the requirements of the early years foundation stage and the Childcare Register the provider must:

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Due Date

 keep an accurate record of children's attendance, clearly showing children's names and hours they are on the premises 06/06/2016

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Due Date

 ensure that the good health of children is promoted effectively, minimising the spread of infection. 06/06/2016

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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 process of self-evaluation to help identify and address any areas of development within the practice and raise the quality of teaching, in order to promote the best outcomes for children  strengthen the programme of professional development to more thoroughly review practice and implement new legislation that affects work with children  seek more detailed information from parents on entry, in order to develop a more accurate assessment of children's initial development and skills and inform immediate planning.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector observed the childminder joining in activities with children and, at appropriate times, jointly discussed the learning that was taking place.  The inspector saw the areas of the premises and garden used for childminding.  The inspector looked at children's assessment records.  The inspector checked the evidence of the suitability of household members and a range of other documents, including the safeguarding policy.  The inspector spoke with the childminder and children at appropriate times throughout the inspection.

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management requires improvement

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective. The childminder implements effective child protection procedures, helping to promote children's welfare. She carries out risk assessments in order to minimise any possible hazards for children in the home and on outings. However, the childminder does not always record the hours that children are in attendance at her setting. The childminder does not routinely source professional development opportunities to ensure she is updated on new strategies. Nor does she effectively review her practice and teaching methods in order to target areas for continuous improvement. The childminder tracks children's progress and identifies any gaps in their learning. She implements strategies to close these and shares ideas with parents about how they can support children's learning at home.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

The childminder provides activities based on children's interests. Children enjoy building vehicles from construction toys. They push them around the room, making tunnels for their trains to go through. As they go out for walks the childminder uses children's interests to develop their knowledge of colours and numbers. For example, they talk about the colours of cars they walk past and count how many they see. The childminder uses discussions and photographs to keep parents informed about what their children are doing throughout the day. She encourages parents to share information about children's ongoing achievements at home. However, the initial information that the childminder obtains from parents when children start attending is generally based on their care needs. This does not always help her to identify children's starting points and plan for their progress from the outset.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare require improvement

Children choose their own activities and enjoy helping the childminder with daily tasks. They demonstrate good manners as they say please and thank you to the childminder at every opportunity. The childminder encourages children to try new foods and praises them for taking small bites. However, the childminder does not always give children clear messages on the importance of good hygiene. For example, children are not asked to wash their hands after stroking her cat and before eating. The childminder uses her garden and local parks to promote fun and learning outside. These experiences provide suitable opportunities for children to use their physical skills. The childminder takes children to local toddler groups and regularly meets with other childminders. Children benefit from socialising with other children and engage in a wide range of activities.

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Outcomes for children are good

Children make good progress and are consistently working within the range of development that is typical for their age. They are developing skills to support them as they move forward in their learning and for starting school. They are learning to use chalks and crayons to develop early writing skills and show an interest in letter sounds as they play with magnetic letters.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY403986 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 1042924 Type of provision Childminder Day care type Childminder Registers Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register Age range of children 2 - 2 Total number of places 6 Number of children on roll 1

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Name of registered person

Date of previous inspection 10 April 2013

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Telephone number

The childminder was registered in 2010 and lives in Letchworth Garden City. She operates from 7.45am to 4.45pm, Monday, Wednesday and Friday, through school term time.

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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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