Childminder in Hertfordshire

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 26 September 2016 29 November 2012

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management Requires improvement Quality of teaching, learning and assessment Requires improvement Personal development, behaviour and welfare Requires improvement Outcomes for children Requires improvement

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

 The childminder does not undertake the required progress checks for children between the ages of two and three years as part of her assessment process. Parents are not provided with a short written summary of their child's progress at this point in their development.  The childminder does not always gather sufficient detailed information from parents about what children can already do when they first start, in order to inform more accurate initial planning.  The childminder does not always make the best use of information she gathers from assessments to build on children's achievements and offer more challenge.  The childminder engages in some professional development and training but is not effectively using the knowledge and skills gained to strengthen the consistency of her teaching.

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It has the following strengths

 The childminder is effectively promoting children's language and communication development. For example, she talks to children about what they are doing during their play and introduces new words to increase their vocabulary.  Children are happy and settled in the childminder's care. She provides individualised settling-in sessions that enable children to become familiar with their surroundings and build a good relationship with her.

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What the setting needs to do to improve further

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

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Due Date

 complete the required progress check for children between the age of two and three years and provide parents with a short written summary. 10/10/2016

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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

 gather more detailed information from parents about what their child knows and can do when they first start, in order to sharpen the initial planning  use information gathered from assessments more effectively to build on children's achievements and offer more challenge  make better use information and knowledge gained from professional development and training to strengthen the consistency of teaching.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector observed the quality of teaching during activities indoors and outdoors, and assessed the impact this has on children's learning.  The inspector observed and discussed a planned activity with the childminder.  The inspector spoke with the childminder at appropriate times during the inspection. She looked at relevant documentation, such as the children's learning records and a sample of policies.  The inspector read written feedback from parents and talked to children during the inspection and took account of their views and responses.  The inspector reviewed evidence of the suitability of the childminder and all adults living at the premises.

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management requires improvement

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective. The childminder has a secure understanding of the signs and symptoms of abuse that would raise concerns regarding the safety and welfare of children. She knows who to contact and the procedures to follow. The childminder evaluates her practice and seeks the views of parents and children, which are incorporated into her plans for development. The childminder has made some improvements to her partnerships with parents since her last inspection. She shares information with them about what children have been doing while in her care. The childminder provides ideas and activities that can be used to continue and extend children's learning at home. However, she is not providing parents with a short written summary of their child's progress check as required between the ages of two and three years.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment requires improvement

The childminder undertakes assessments of children's learning and development to identify their next steps in learning. However, she does not always make good use of the information gathered to offer children more challenge in activities. Therefore, children are not supported to make the best possible progress. Children have free access to choose from a range of learning opportunities. They have fun creating with play dough. The childminder talks to them about the colours they are using and shapes they cut out. Children's play is extended during their self-initiated activity when they start to use a tractor and trailer to move the play dough around the table. The childminder uses spontaneous opportunities in play to support children's understanding about size. For example, as children try to fit two colours of play dough into one container, she introduces mathematical language, such as small, large, wide and thin.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare require improvement

The childminder is not always accurately identifying what stage of learning children are working at. Therefore, she does not always provide activities that meet children's needs. Children learn about living a healthy lifestyle. The childminder supports this learning through talking about what food is good for them, looking at books and visiting the local shops to choose healthy food for their snacks. The childminder reminds them about washing their hands. Children behave well and receive praise and encouragement for their efforts. They enjoy daily opportunities for fresh air and exercise. For example, they visit the local parks, have woodland walks and enjoy playing on push-along tricycles in the garden. Children are confident and learn independence skills, such as putting on their own shoes and tidying away toys when they have finished playing with them.

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Outcomes for children require improvement

Children make some progress in learning. However, they are not always offered more challenge in activities to raise their achievements higher. Therefore, children are not always supported to achieve the best progress they can. They acquire some skills that prepare them for their move on to nursery or school. For example, they learn self-help skills and demonstrate focus and concentration during their self-chosen activities.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY372930 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 1059796 Type of provision Childminder Day care type Childminder Registers Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register Age range of children 2 - 11 Total number of places 6 Number of children on roll 7

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Name of registered person

Date of previous inspection 29 November 2012

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Telephone number

The childminder was registered in 2008 and lives in Kings 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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