Childminder in Hertfordshire

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 14 July 2016 22 October 2012

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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 Good 2

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

 The childminder does not accurately record the hours of attendance for each child.  The childminder has not fully considered all available opportunities through the good partnerships she has developed to promote children's highest levels of attainment.  The childminder does not gather as much detail as possible from parents about children's learning at home when they start at the provision, in order to focus their early planning precisely on children's next steps.

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It has the following strengths

 The childminder gets to know the children well and builds on their imagination and enthusiasm for learning. Following focused training, she has developed effective methods of ongoing observation and assessment to support their good progress.  Children are happy and settled in the childminder's care. They develop secure attachments with her and seek support as needed. Older children benefit from activities to promote their independence and are beginning to manage their own personal needs.  The childminder works hard to engage parents in children's ongoing learning and provides suggestions for them to use at home. Parents are very happy with the care that the childminder provides and detail how she goes the extra mile to provide a home-from-home environment.  Children demonstrate a wide range of physical skills. Outdoors, they balance on one foot and stamp down to launch a pretend rocket into the air.

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It has the following strengths

 The childminder is alert to potential hazards and gives careful thought to each activity. For instance, when out walking with the children, she maps the safest route, provides children with clear boundaries and uses designated crossings where available.

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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

 maintain an accurate daily record of children's hours of attendance. 15/07/2016

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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

 make better use of the opportunities available through the good partnerships developed to extend children's levels of achievement even higher  focus more precisely on the initial information gathered from new parents to further support accurate assessments of children's starting points.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector observed children's activities indoors and outdoors. She talked to the childminder and children at appropriate times throughout the inspection.  The inspector observed a planned activity and jointly discussed the intentions and learning outcomes of this with the childminder.  The inspector viewed the childminder's documentation including policies, a self- evaluation form, training certificates and records of children's observations and assessments.  The inspector took account of the views of parents through a number of written references.  The inspector saw evidence of the suitability of all persons living on the premises and other documentation in relation to the safeguarding and welfare requirements.

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management requires improvement

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective. The childminder has refreshed her knowledge of child protection issues. She knows the course of action to take should she have any concerns for a child's welfare. The childminder currently maintains information about children's daily attendance under family groups. She is well aware of the hours that she takes responsibility for each child. However, her records do not represent an accurate account for each child to show the hours that they attend school or are in her care. The childminder uses a range of online resources and shares information and ideas with other childminders to help reflect on her practice and support continuous improvement.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

Children engage in regular discussion with the childminder and use their imagination to recreate experiences in play situations. The childminder listens carefully to what children say and provides them with time to think and respond to questions. This especially helps children who need support to develop their speech and language skills. The childminder refers to approved childcare guidance to inform her planning. She skilfully incorporates children's next steps in learning into activities. For example, those children reluctant to engage with creative materials are supported to select tools and techniques to manipulate soft dough. Children maintain their levels of concentration for long periods and enjoy playing alongside the childminder as they make pretend meals. The childminder chooses timely moments to extend children's learning. For instance, she helps children to identify a variety of different-shaped cutters to enhance their mathematical knowledge.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are good

The environment is organised well and enables children to make choices in their play. Children learn about different religions and receive clear explanations to help deepen their understanding of diversity. Some of the ways they do this is through sharing books, stories and celebrations with the childminder. The childminder is a good role model. She encourages children to use sociable behaviour and follow safe hygiene practices. Children behave well and know how their actions impact on others. They wash their hands before meals and are aware that some children need to avoid certain foods to keep themselves well. Children benefit from many opportunities to play outdoors. They enjoy time in the childminder's garden, visit local parks and take part in organised group outings.

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Outcomes for children are good

All children are working comfortably within the range of development typical for their age. The childminder monitors children's progress and swiftly identifies any gaps in their learning. Children are keen to learn and quickly gain the confidence to explore new environments. They listen intently to adults and follow instruction well. Children gain the key skills that they need in readiness for school. The childminder recognises the importance of working with the other settings children attend and currently supports children with their school projects. However, she has not been consistently proactive in making the most of the support she has access to, in order to provide even more precise learning for children while they await specialist support.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 129755 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 1036867 Type of provision Childminder Day care type Childminder Registers Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register Age range of children 3 - 6 Total number of places 6 Number of children on roll 5

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Name of registered person

Date of previous inspection 22 October 2012

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Telephone number

The childminder was registered in 1992 and lives in Abbots Langley. 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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