Childminder in Hertfordshire

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 16 January 2017 16 October 2015

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Previous inspection: Requires Improvement

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management Requires improvement Quality of teaching, learning and assessment Good 2

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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 all records related to individual children are retained and kept for a reasonable period of time after they have left the provision. Furthermore, she is unaware of her responsibilities in accordance with the Data Protection Act.  Although the childminder has now established relationships with staff from the other settings children attend, she does not always share information specific to each child to extend their individual learning even further.  On occasions, children experience minor interruptions to their learning as they eagerly wait for the childminder to finish setting up the adult-led activities.

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It has the following strengths

 The childminder has made some improvements since her last inspection and is very keen to develop her practice. She has increased her knowledge of the learning and development requirements and now uses effective methods of observation and assessment to challenge children and help raise their outcomes.  Children's speech and language development are promoted well. The childminder uses clear pronunciation to introduce new words during activities, such as snow and astronaut. She provides many opportunities for children to speak in their home language and gathers key words from parents to help her support them.  Effective settling-in arrangements, in addition to regular encouragement and praise, ensure children feel safe and secure in the childminder's home. Parents feel children have settled well, make good progress and get excited about coming each week.

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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 records related to individual children are retained for a period of two years and kept for a reasonable period of time after they have left the provision 16/02/2017

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Due Date

 develop knowledge of the responsibilities under the Data Protection Act 1998 and ensure these are met. 16/02/2017

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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

 extend the partnerships with other childcare settings that children attend to support continuity and build on children's individual skills more effectively  review the organisation of adult-led activities to minimise interruptions to children's learning.

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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 completed a joint evaluation of an activity with the childminder.  The inspector held a number of discussions with the childminder. She looked at relevant documentation and evidence of the suitability of persons living in the household.  The inspector took account of the views of parents through written feedback provided.

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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 and knows the procedures to follow if she has any concerns about a child. She gains the permission of parents before taking photographs of children and uses these appropriately and confidentially. The childminder closely monitors children's attendance and retains personal records for current children that may need to be referred to. However, the childminder is not aware of her responsibilities under the Data Protection Act. In addition, she does not retain some information she records about children for two years or a reasonable period of time after they have left the provision. For example, the attendance records from last year have been disposed of following a recent clear out. In addition, records of information for previous children attending are not available to view. Although these are clear breaches of the requirements, they have no

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management requires improvement

impact on children's welfare. The childminder evaluates some aspects of her practice and has sourced a range of online courses to help enhance her good quality teaching. She has also developed links with key staff from the other settings children attend and closely follows general topics, such as her current focus on winter. However, the information she shares is not specific to each child to help enhance their learning even further.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

The childminder uses a range of ways to involve parents in children's learning. For example, she gathers detailed information about each child when they start to contribute to their initial assessments. She uses a daily diary informing parents of the activities children take part in and the areas of learning these relate to. This encourages parents to extend children's learning at home. The childminder notes children's interests and their preferred learning styles to inform her weekly plans. For example, children who show a preference for craft activities have plentiful opportunities to complete designs and explore different textures, such as pretend snow and cotton balls. However, on occasions children experience a period of waiting as the childminder finishes preparing for the activities.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are good

Children enjoy their time with the childminder and gain reassurance as needed. They behave well and are clear about the childminder's expectations. Children enjoy taking on the responsibility of small tasks and follow instructions well. They help to prepare lunch and eagerly collect their belongings to play outdoors. The childminder reminds children to wash their hands before preparing food and provides good opportunities for outdoor play and fresh air in the garden. These activities help to promote children's good health.

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Outcomes for children are good

Children make good progress from their starting points and demonstrate a positive attitude to learning. They concentrate for long periods of time when involved in activities and are confident to make choices in their play. Children's early mathematical development is effectively promoted. They use numbers for counting and are eager to solve problems presented to them. Children gain the essential skills they need in readiness for the move on to school.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY452484 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 1058536 Type of provision Childminder Day care type Childminder Registers Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register Age range of children 2 - 2 Total number of places 6 Number of children on roll 1

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Name of registered person

Date of previous inspection 16 October 2015

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Telephone number

The childminder was registered in 2013 and lives in Codicote. She operates all year round from 7am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, except for bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder supports children who speak English as an additional language.

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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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