Childminder in Hertfordshire

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 17 January 2018 9 June 2015

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3

Effectiveness of the leadership and management Requires improvement Quality of teaching, learning and assessment Requires improvement Personal development, behaviour and welfare Good 2

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3

Outcomes for children Requires improvement

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

 The childminder does not use children's individual stages of development, interests and individual needs to plan stimulating activities and experiences that challenge them appropriately.  The childminder does not make consistent use of information gained from ongoing observations and assessments. Next steps in learning are not routinely incorporated into activities and experiences to support children in making good progress.  The childminder's assistant does not have suitable knowledge and understanding of the childminder's policies and procedures in order to follow them appropriately.  The childminder does not keep a record of complaints or their outcomes.  The childminder does not always promote effective strategies to engage parents in extending their children's learning at home.

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It has the following strengths

 The childminder uses strategies, such as open-ended questioning, to support children's communication and language development. This encourages children to develop their thinking and enables them to think deeply.  Children take part in a wide range of activities which includes different group events outside the home, and they socialise with other children. This supports the development of children's personal, social and emotional skills.  The childminder meets children's individual dietary and special health requirements. This helps to promote children's health and well-being.

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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

 obtain information about children's starting points from parents and observe children to understand their level of achievement, interests and learning styles 28/02/2018

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Due Date

 make regular and precise assessments of children's learning to identify children's next steps in learning and plan suitably challenging activities and experiences 28/02/2018

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Due Date

 ensure that assistants are aware of policies and procedures and are able to follow them appropriately 31/01/2018

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Due Date

 keep a written record of any complaints and their outcome. 31/01/2018

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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

 strengthen opportunities for sharing ideas and activities with parents to support them in extending their children's learning at home.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector spoke to the childminder, her assistant and the children present at appropriate times throughout the inspection.  The inspector observed the quality of teaching during activities indoors and assessed the impact this has on children's learning.  The inspector observed an activity and evaluated this with the childminder.  The inspector held a number of discussions with the childminder. She looked at relevant documentation and reviewed evidence of the suitability of persons living in the household.  The inspector took account of the views of parents through discussion and written feedback.

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management requires improvement

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective. The childminder is able to identify possible signs and symptoms of abuse. She has the required contact details and knowledge of what professional to contact, if she has concerns about children's welfare. The childminder and her assistant talk regularly about the children's safety and well-being. This enables them to meet the children's individual needs. However, the assistant is not aware of the childminder's specific policies and procedures which are individual to her setting. This means that the assistant is not able to support the childminder to meet these procedures effectively. The childminder reflects on activities and experiences that children take part in and she speaks with her assistant about ways to improve. The childminder has a friendly relationship with parents and she speaks to them on a daily basis. For example, she shares information about children's health and care needs, such as what

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management requires improvement

they have eaten or for how long they slept. However, the childminder does not share information with parents about children's progress and achievements, in order for them to extend this learning at home. The childminder has the required documentation in place, including a complaints policy. However, the childminder does not keep a written record of complaints received and outcomes of these.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment requires improvement

The childminder carries out some basic observations of children as they play. However, ongoing observations and assessments are not used effectively. Children's individual stages of development are not well known by the childminder. Children's next steps in learning are not identified and they are not consistently supported to make good progress in their learning. The childminder provides opportunities for children to make some independent choices. They access a range of relevant toys and resources in the playroom and make decisions about their play. Children engage happily in story time. They join in telling the story and give their suggestions for what might happen next.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are good

Children behave appropriately. The childminder and her assistant support children to learn about sharing and turn taking. For example, during games the childminder reiterates the importance of taking turns and waiting for their friends to have their turn. The childminder encourages children's physical development and they have fresh air and exercise on a regular basis. Children learn about their personal safety, such as during walks to and from school, and when visiting the parks. This supports children to identify risks and hazards. Children are settled. They have fun playing a spontaneous game of hide and seek, laughing with the childminder's assistant and sharing their own ideas.

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Outcomes for children require improvement

Children are not yet making good enough progress towards the early learning goals. However, they are gaining some of the basic skills they need in readiness for school or the next stage of their learning.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY341538 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 1121683 Type of provision Childminder Day care type Childminder Registers Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register Age range of children 1 - 8 Total number of places 6 Number of children on roll 5

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Telephone number

The childminder registered in 2006 and lives in Ware. She works on a regular basis with an assistant. The childminder 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

If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 4234, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk. You may reuse this information (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. To view this licence, visit www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/, write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk .

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Telephone number

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our website for news, information and updates at www.ofsted.gov.uk/user.

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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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