Childminder in Hertfordshire

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 8 November 2016 14 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 have a good knowledge of the learning and development requirements of the early years foundation stage. For example, she is not familiar enough with completing the progress check for children between the ages of two and three years.  The childminder is still improving her knowledge of how to develop a successful observation and planning process. She does not make good use of information from observations and assessments to plan for children's ongoing learning so that they make good progress.  The childminder does not use professional development effectively to keep her knowledge and teaching skills up to date.  The childminder does not use self-evaluation effectively to help her identify strengths and weaknesses in her practice to help inform continuous improvement.

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It has the following strengths

 Since the last inspection, the childminder has completed paediatric first-aid training. This helps her to maintain her understanding of how to manage any accidents or medical emergencies, should they occur.  Parents say that they are very happy with the quality of their children's care. The childminder provides them with frequent information about the activities that children have enjoyed. This helps to promote continuity of care and learning.

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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

 improve knowledge and understanding of the requirements of the early years foundation stage with regard to completing the progress check for children aged between two and three years, ensuring that parents and carers are provided with a short written summary of their children's strengths and areas where progress is less than expected 16/12/2016

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Due Date

 develop the use of observations and assessments and use the information gained to help plan suitably challenging experiences that focus on what individual children need to learn next to promote their good progress. 16/12/2016

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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

 establish an ongoing programme of professional development that strengthens the quality of teaching further  review the process of self-evaluation and identify areas for development that raise the standards of care and education that children receive.

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Inspection activities

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

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management requires improvement

Although the childminder has adequately addressed weaknesses identified at the previous inspection, her approach to updating her knowledge of current practice is not robust enough. She has not used professional development effectively to help her drive improvement and raise children's achievements. The childminder has some understanding of how to evaluate her practice. However, this is not yet robust in identifying areas for further development. The arrangements for safeguarding are effective. The childminder has a suitable knowledge of how to recognise concerns about children's welfare. She understands who to contact so that they are protected. The childminder now has a written safeguarding policy and a complaints procedure. She shares these with parents and her assistants. The childminder is able to describe the appropriate action that she would take if someone made an allegation about her or her assistants, who are family members. She

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management requires improvement

works closely with her assistants to monitor their practice. The childminder shows some commitment to developing her skills and knowledge. For example, she reads appropriate articles and uses diaries and learning journals to share information with parents.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment requires improvement

Even though the childminder has increased her skills in observing children, she does not make good use of the information gained to plan children's next steps in learning. In addition, the childminder does not complete a written summary for parents in relation to their children's progress between the ages of two and three years. This means that the individual needs of these children are not clearly identified so that additional support or intervention is provided if necessary. Children enjoy playing with musical instruments and the childminder sings songs and nursery rhymes with them. The childminder knows and uses key words that are used by children in their home language. This helps children to make connections in their learning.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare require improvement

Although the childminder provides resources she knows children will enjoy, she does not ensure activities provide sufficient challenge to motivate their enthusiasm for learning. The childminder offers a flexible settling-in procedure to help children become familiar with their new surroundings. She obtains all necessary details from parents, including dietary information. Children freely help themselves to resources and happily explore the environment. The childminder takes positive steps to promote children's safety. For example, she places cushions next to younger children so that they do not topple over when they are playing with toys. Children enjoy physical exercise in the fresh air during visits to the park and while playing in the childminder's garden.

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Outcomes for children require improvement

Children are not making good enough progress as teaching is not consistently challenging. Nevertheless, they learn some basic skills in readiness for school. For example, they enjoy listening to stories with the childminder. Children learn the names of letters and numbers during their play. Older children enjoy playing board games with their friends. They learn to take turns and to solve simple problems during their play.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 130407 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 1036872 Type of provision Childminder Day care type Childminder Registers Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register Age range of children 1 - 1 Total number of places 6 Number of children on roll 3

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Name of registered person

Date of previous inspection 14 November 2012

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Telephone number

The childminder was registered in 1993. She lives in Watford and works with assistants. She operates all year round from 7am to 6.30pm, 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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