Childminder in Hertfordshire

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 27 July 2016 18 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 Good 2

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

 The childminder does not ensure that she obtains written permission from parents or carers before administering medication to children.  The childminder is unaware of her responsibilities in accordance with the Data Protection Act.  Opportunities to enhance children's language for speaking are not consistently extended.

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It has the following strengths

 The childminder has made improvements since the last inspection. She has developed effective methods of observation, assessment and planning to support children's good progress.  Teaching is strong. The well-qualified childminder recognises children's interests and chooses timely moments to join in with their play. For example, she demonstrates how instruments work to help children explore rhythm. Children create sound as they bang cymbals together, tap on a drum or blow into a recorder.  The childminder effectively promotes children's early mathematical development to ensure they are well prepared for school. Children use number language spontaneously and refer to concepts of size in their play, such as big and little.  The childminder works closely with parents and the other settings children attend to promote continuous learning for each child. For example, through contributions to a daily diary, regular discussion and gathering information about children's progress from

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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

 ensure written parental permission is obtained before administering prescribed or non-prescribed medication to children 27/08/2016

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Due Date

 develop knowledge of the responsibilities under the Data Protection Act and ensure these are met. 27/08/2016

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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

 provide even more opportunities for young children to develop their speech and language skills.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector observed daily routines and children's activities indoors. She talked to the childminder and children at appropriate times throughout the inspection.  The inspector observed the childminder join in with children's activities and completed a follow-up discussion about children's learning, progress and behaviour.  The inspector viewed the childminder's documentation including policies, training certificates and children's files.  The inspector took account of the views of parents through recently completed questionnaires.  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 speaks to each parent by telephone before she administers medication to children. She gathers specific information from them, including any previous medication they have given. This ensures that she measures out the correct dosage of agreed medication and children's welfare is not placed at significant risk. The childminder keeps a written record of each time she administers medication to a child, which includes the date and circumstances. However, she has not met the requirement to gain the advance written permission from parents on each occasion that she does this. The childminder is not aware of her responsibilities in accordance with the Data Protection Act. This has minimal impact on children's welfare as she takes photographs with parents' permission and shares them appropriately and confidentially. The childminder regularly reflects on her practice and identifies training to

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management requires improvement

help maintain her good quality teaching. Ideas gained from a recent course have enhanced her ability to build on children's outdoor experiences as they play in the garden or visit local attractions.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

The environment is organised well to enable young children to make choices in their play. The childminder completes precise and regular assessments on children. This helps her to review the progress of different groups of children and gain a clear knowledge of the skills they need to develop. Daily plans include a range of interesting and challenging activities to sustain children's levels of engagement. The childminder listens to what children say. She follows their lead to help develop their understanding of the world. For instance, while playing with a farmyard they talk together about how ducks can fly and chickens lay eggs. However, on occasion, the childminder does not provide children with the correct pronunciation of words to help them acquire the widest possible vocabulary.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are good

The childminder gathers detailed information from parents to help children experience a smooth move into her home. Children settle quickly and develop secure bonds with her. Children learn expected ways to behave and how their actions impact on others. They begin to respond to boundaries, such as being gentle with babies and not kicking a ball indoors. Children gain awareness of healthy choices. They nurture the growth of lettuce, tomatoes and strawberries in the childminder's garden to then taste as part of their balanced diet.

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Outcomes for children are good

All children make good progress given their starting points. They learn how relationships work, show an interest in the activities of others and confidently express their own preferences. Children gain independence. Older children manage their own personal needs and attempt to dress themselves. Young children show excitement as they anticipate mealtimes, feed themselves competently with a spoon and bottom shuffle to get where they want to be. Children gain the essential skills that they need for future learning.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY359289 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 1043038 Type of provision Childminder Day care type Childminder Registers Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register Age range of children 1 - 9 Total number of places 6 Number of children on roll 10

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Name of registered person

Date of previous inspection 18 April 2013

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Telephone number

The childminder was registered in 2007 and lives in Codicote. She operates all year round from 7.30am to 6.15pm, Monday to Friday, except for bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder holds a qualification at level 3.

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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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