Childminder in Hertfordshire

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 25 July 2016 25 February 2016

p.1

This inspection: Good 2

Effectiveness of the leadership and management Good 2

p.1

This inspection: Good 2

Quality of teaching, learning and assessment Good 2

p.1

This inspection: Good 2

Personal development, behaviour and welfare Good 2

p.1

This provision is good

 The childminder has taken positive steps to promptly address the actions raised at the last inspection. For example, she and her assistant have completed child protection training. The childminder has also updated her safeguarding policies and procedures and she now has a good understanding of current legislation.  The childminder observes and assesses children as they play. She identifies the next steps in their learning, which are shared with parents to support learning at home. This helps to promote children's good progress.  Children behave well. They share resources, take turns and help to tidy away toys when they have finished playing with them. This helps children to develop social skills and to build friendships.  The childminder follows children's interests and provides a broad range of resources for them to explore. Children are provided with time to develop their own ideas and enjoy their play. This helps them to be self-motivated to explore and learn.

p.1

This provision is good

 The childminder checks the quality of her provision. She shares ideas with her assistant and ensures that she has a clear understanding of the policies and procedures used.

p.1

It is not yet outstanding because:

 The childminder does not provide a wide range of sensory experiences for young children to take part in.  The childminder's professional development plans do not focus sharply on continuing to extend her knowledge and good teaching skills even further.

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

 extend the range of sensory opportunities that young children take part in  enhance professional development so that it increases the potential to raise the good standard of teaching to a higher level.

p.2

Inspection activities

 The inspector spoke with the childminder and her assistant at appropriate times. She engaged in children's play and observed interactions taking place indoors and outdoors during the inspection.  The inspector checked evidence of the suitability and qualifications of the childminder and the suitability of other adults living and working in the home.  The inspector carried out a joint observation with the childminder.  The inspector looked at a range of documentation, including, the safeguarding policy. She also looked at children's observations, learning and assessment records.  The inspector took account of parents' views through references left with the childminder.

p.2

Effectiveness of the leadership and management is good

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective. Since the last inspection, the childminder has increased her awareness about how to protect children's welfare. She has ensured that her assistant's knowledge about this is also up to date and she closely monitors her interactions with children. Together, they now reflect on their work and regularly discuss how they can continually improve. The childminder follows safe recruitment procedures to ensure that assistants are suitable for their role. The childminder has also reviewed how she checks children's learning and development. This has helped her to be clearer about their progress and to identify any gaps in their learning. Furthermore, the childminder has developed partnerships with other providers where children attend. This has helped her to support older children's learning.

p.3

Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

Children enjoy exploring the well-resourced conservatory and independently choose items that interest them. Younger children enjoy discovering how to operate interactive toys and play with musical instruments. The childminder encourages them to persevere with any challenges and praises them for their efforts. She provides a running commentary for younger children, which helps to support their language development. Older children enjoy building sandcastles in the garden and splashing in water to keep themselves cool. They learn about different sizes, such as small and big when they make their sandcastles. The childminder and her assistant offer regular arts and craft activities to older children. This helps to promote their self-esteem and supports their hand-to-eye coordination.

p.3

Personal development, behaviour and welfare are good

Children enjoy spending time with the attentive childminder and her caring assistant. The childminder gathers detailed information from parents when children start. She continually speaks to parents about their children's changing needs so that these can be supported. This helps to ensure that continuity of care is promoted. Older children demonstrate independence in attending to their personal care needs. They know that they must keep small toys away from younger children so that they stay safe. Children enjoy opportunities to be physically active and spend long periods of time outdoors. They visit local places of interest, such as animal parks and go to feed the ducks. They also visit the theatre and cinema. This helps children to learn about the world around them.

p.3

Outcomes for children are good

All children, including those who have special educational needs or disability, make good progress. Children are learning the key skills they need in preparation for moving on to school. They share books together and regularly have story sessions to support their early reading skills. Chalks and pens are easily available for children to draw and they enjoy practising writing numbers on chalkboards.

p.3

Setting details

Unique reference number EY359433 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 1041807 Type of provision Childminder Day care type Childminder Registers Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register Age range of children 1 - 4 Total number of places 18 Number of children on roll 11

p.4

Name of registered person

Date of previous inspection 25 February 2016

p.4

Telephone number

The childminder was registered in 2007 and lives in London Colney, Hertfordshire. She operates all year round from 8am to 5.30pm, Monday to Friday, except for bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder supports children who have special educational needs or disability. She employs two assistants.

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 reuse this information (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. To view this licence, visit www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/, write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk .

p.5

Telephone number

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our website for news, information and updates at www.ofsted.gov.uk/user.

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