Childminder EY304224

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 15 July 2016 1 August 2014

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This inspection: Inadequate 4

Previous inspection: Requires Improvement

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This inspection: Inadequate 4

Effectiveness of the leadership and management Inadequate 4

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This inspection: Inadequate 4

Quality of teaching, learning and assessment Requires improvement Personal development, behaviour and welfare Inadequate 4

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This inspection: Inadequate 4

Outcomes for children Requires improvement

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This provision is inadequate

 The childminder has not completed thorough risk assessments in order to identify potential risks and minimise hazards to children.  The childminder does not carefully track children's progress in order to identify gaps in their learning. Some activities lack sufficient challenge to help children make the best possible progress in their learning.  The childminder does not effectively use her professional development and training to support children's learning.  The childminder does not effectively evaluate her practice to identify the weaknesses, such as evaluating activities, to take swift action to improve the experiences and outcomes for children.  The childminder does not provide children with enough opportunities to learn about other communities and families.

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It has the following strengths

 Children play cooperatively, moving freely around the setting. They enjoy exploring the garden and play equipment, under the supervision of the childminder.  Children show they are happy in the childminder's care. They are confident to ask her for help when they need it and are content to join in adult-led activities.  The childminder has developed her relationships with parents. She shares information with them about daily experiences and ensures messages from school are passed on.

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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

 complete thorough risk assessments and ensure hazards are minimised in the home and garden. 05/08/2016

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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

 implement effective tracking of children's progress in order to identify gaps in learning  establish children's starting points and use the information to support precise planning, effective teaching and consistently challenging experiences  apply knowledge acquired through professional development and training received to support children's learning  strengthen evaluation in order to identify any weaknesses in practice, such as evaluating activities and take swift action to secure improvements in the experiences and outcomes for children  extend the opportunities for children to learn about other communities and families.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector held discussions with the childminder regarding observations of children's play, learning and progress.  The inspector observed an adult-led activity, free play indoors and outdoors and a mealtime.  The inspector checked evidence of the childminder's qualifications and training, and suitability of all household members.  The inspector reviewed policies, procedures and documents available, including feedback from parents.  The inspector discussed the childminder's self-evaluation and improvement plans. She spoke with the childminder and children at appropriate times throughout the inspection.

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management is inadequate

The childminder does not evaluate her practice effectively. She does not complete risk assessments thoroughly enough to identify potential dangers to children in the home and garden. There is alcohol in the kitchen which is out of sight, but it is within reach of children. The garden has nettles and thistles near playhouses. The fence has holes in it and children can get out. Consequently, the arrangements for safeguarding are not effective. Nevertheless, the childminder understands how to identify the possible symptoms and signs of abuse. She has policies in place that she shares with parents. The childminder understands that if she chooses to work again with her assistant that they are not to be left in sole charge of children, as the assistant does not have a current paediatric first-aid qualification. However, the childminder is not making the best use of her professional development as she does not implement the knowledge gained to help

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management is inadequate

improve outcomes for children. The childminder shares some details about children's learning with parents but she is not routinely tracking children's progress to identify gaps in their learning.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment requires improvement

The quality of teaching is variable. The childminder knows children's interests and general abilities but is not gathering sufficient information to help her plan consistently challenging experiences for children. Adult-led activities engage children and offer them plenty to explore and discover. During a story session children are invited to explore sensory items linked to a book. There are bowls of mud, icy water, snow and grass. She sits next to the children and invites them to explore each item when it appears in the story. Children are enthusiastic and join in with familiar phrases. The childminder questions children but does not always give them enough time to think about their answers, or follow their train of thought.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are inadequate

Weaknesses in risk assessment and hazard management mean that the childminder cannot ensure that children are kept safe. The childminder does not provide enough opportunities for children to learn about other communities and families. However, the childminder encourages children to develop their independence. They learn how to put on their own coats and shoes. Children play together in a calm and happy way. The childminder teaches children how to treat others kindly and to be considerate of their feelings. Children are taught about the importance of healthy practices, such as handwashing. Parents' references compliment the childminder on developing caring relationships and remark that children settle in quickly.

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Outcomes for children require improvement

Children are making some progress over time. The childminder generally helps children to prepare for the next stage in their learning, such as school. She supports them to develop their speaking and listening skills and to concentrate on activities that they enjoy.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY304224 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 1044030 Type of provision Childminder Day care type Childminder Registers Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register Age range of children 0 - 9 Total number of places 6 Number of children on roll 5

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Name of registered person

Date of previous inspection 1 August 2014

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Telephone number

The childminder was registered in 2005 and lives in Watford. She operates all year round, from 7am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, apart from family holidays and bank holidays. The childminder holds a qualification at level 3 and provides funded early education for three- and four-year-old children. The childminder is able to work with an assistant but does not do so at the present 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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