Childminder EY352999

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 7 February 2017 21 July 2016

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This inspection: Inadequate 4

Effectiveness of the leadership and management Inadequate 4

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This inspection: Inadequate 4

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 is inadequate

 Self-evaluation of the childminder’s practice does not identify significant areas for improvement.  The childminder does not have a sound understanding of the possible signs of abuse and neglect. She is not clear of the correct procedures to follow if she has concerns about the welfare of children in her care.  The childminder does not use precise assessments of children’s learning to plan suitably challenging activities.

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It has the following strengths

 The childminder provides a welcoming environment where children’s personal and emotional development is suitably nurtured. Children feel secure and appear happy in her care.  The childminder places high importance on healthy eating. She provides a wide range of healthy meals and snacks, including fresh seasonal fruit and vegetables.

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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

 improve knowledge of child protection procedures and the signs of possible abuse and neglect 31/03/2017

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Due Date

 make precise assessments of children’s achievements and use these to accurately identify and plan suitably challenging activities across all areas of learning 31/03/2017

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Due Date

 evaluate the quality of the provision through robust self-evaluation, taking account the views of parents and children, and use the findings to improve practice. 31/03/2017

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Inspection activities

 The inspector looked at evidence of the suitability of household members, and a range of other documentation. First-aid and safeguarding training certificates were viewed.  The inspector reviewed the childminder's self-evaluation.  The inspector spoke with the children and childminder at appropriate times throughout the inspection.  The inspector observed activities taking place in the playroom.  The inspector discussed safeguarding and children’s learning and progress with the childminder.

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management is inadequate

Safeguarding is not effective. Although the childminder is able to describe some signs and symptoms of abuse and has the contact details of the agencies she must report to, safeguarding training has had little impact on improving her knowledge. This means signs of abuse may be missed, putting children at risk of harm. Self-evaluation is not effective in identifying weaknesses in practice; this means the childminder is unable to take appropriate action to improve her practice. The childminder ensures children are kept safe from hazards by implementing an effective risk assessment. Children are able to safely explore their surroundings and access a range of age appropriate toys and activities in a dedicated playroom.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment requires improvement

Observation and assessment of children’s achievements is not used to accurately identify and plan for the next steps in their learning. Children are taught some new skills, but a lack of purposeful adult-led activities results in children not being provided with sufficient challenge across all areas of learning. Regular outings encourage children to explore their environment and find out about the wider world. The childminder makes good use of opportunities to question children to enhance their understanding and solve problems. For example, by showing the children how to build a train track and asking them which piece they need to extend the track.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare require improvement

The childminder is unable to demonstrate a sound understanding of all aspects of child abuse. Children behave well because the childminder offers gentle support and explains why unwanted behaviour is unacceptable. She teaches children to be kind, polite and respectful. Children enjoy listening to the sounds they make with instruments. They gently care for their baby doll, preparing meals in the play kitchen and engaging in role play. Children thoroughly enjoy home-cooked nutritious meals. Trips to the farm, woods and park ensures they receive plenty of fresh air and exercise. The childminder ensures she has all the necessary information to meet children's individual care needs, such as their favourite toys and their routine at home. As a result, children settle quickly and feel secure.

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Outcomes for children require improvement

The next steps in children's progress are not always identified because the childminder does not plan activities linked to individual children’s development. However, children are working within the range of development typical for their ages. Parents are encouraged to participate in their child's learning by informing the childminder of any new skills they achieved at home. The childminder uses this information, alongside her own observations, to track children's progress towards the early learning goals. The childminder helps children to acquire some of the skills they need, in readiness for their next stage in learning.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY352999 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 1077606 Type of provision Childminder Day care type Childminder Registers Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register Age range of children 0 - 8 Total number of places 6 Number of children on roll 3

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Name of registered person

Date of previous inspection 21 July 2016

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Telephone number

The childminder has been registered since 2007 and lives in St Albans, Hertfordshire. The provision is registered on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. The childminder operates from 8am to 6pm, all year round except for family holidays and bank holidays. She is a member of the Professional Association for Childcare and Early Years (PACEY).

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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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