Childminder in Hertfordshire

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 8 May 2018 29 January 2015

p.1

3

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

p.1

3

Personal development, behaviour and welfare Requires improvement Outcomes for children Good 2

p.1

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

 The childminder keeps children safe in her care. However, her knowledge of how to identify children who are at risk from extreme views and behaviour is not strong.  Assistants are not fully supported in developing their knowledge and understanding of their roles and responsibilities.

p.1

It has the following strengths

 The childminder makes regular and accurate assessments of the children's individual stages of learning from their initial starting points. This supports children to make the progress expected for their age and ensures that they do not fall behind in their learning.  The childminder and her assistants act as good role models. They are calm and interact positively with the children. Children behave well and treat each other in a kind and caring way.  Children form strong bonds with the childminder and her assistants. A good settling-in process helps the children to settle quickly with the childminder.  Relationships and communication with parents are strong and they are happy with the care that is provided for their children. They feel well informed about the progress that their children are making.

p.1

What the setting needs to do to improve further

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

p.2

Due Date

 improve understanding of the 'Prevent' duty 05/06/2018  ensure that assistants are supported fully and provide coaching to improve their knowledge and strengthen children's learning experiences. 19/06/2018

p.2

Inspection activities

 The inspector spoke to the childminder, her assistants and the children at appropriate times during the inspection.  The childminder and the inspector jointly observed an assistant during a planned activity and considered the impact of her practice on the children's learning.  The inspector spoke to and read letters from parents during the inspection and took their comments into consideration.  The inspector looked at documents, including policies, children's assessment logs and the childminder's qualifications.  The inspector observed the quality of teaching during activities and assessed the impact this has on children's learning.

p.2

Effectiveness of the leadership and management requires improvement

The childminder does not have a strong knowledge of how to identify children at risk from extreme views and behaviour. However, she shows an understanding of how to keep children safe in her care and knows how to report any concerns about their welfare. The childminder carries out daily risk assessments of her home and ensures that the environment is suitable for all children. Safeguarding is effective. Although the childminder works well with her assistants, she does not routinely provide supervision opportunities to help them improve their practice and support children to gain the most from their learning experiences. Overall, the childminder reflects on the quality of her provision well and networks with other childminders to develop her practice further.

p.3

Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

Children are focused and motivated to learn through the variety of activities that the childminder offers. The qualified childminder uses her knowledge well to thoughtfully plan activities that enable children of all ages and abilities to participate. The childminder and her assistants relate children's learning to real-life experiences. For example, a child points to a picture of a spider in a book and the childminder talks to the child about the spider they saw recently. Skilful questioning encourages children to develop their imaginations when playing with the wooden kitchen. The childminder takes the children on a variety of daily outings, including trips to playgroups and the local park. This helps to give children opportunities to explore and learn about the wider community.

p.3

Personal development, behaviour and welfare require improvement

Weaknesses in leadership and management mean that children's welfare and development are not consistently promoted to a high standard. Children gain independence. For example, they help organise gloves, nappies and wipes when it is time to change their nappies. The childminder provides the children with a good routine and this supports them to anticipate what will happen next throughout the day. Children participate confidently in tidying away the toys when they have finished with them and help to tidy up after messy activities. For instance, they use a dustpan and brush to sweep rice and pasta from the floor. The childminder encourages the children to be healthy and she provides them with a range of nutritious fruit for snack time.

p.3

Outcomes for children are good

Children make good progress and are prepared well for the next stage of their learning. All children like to use their senses. For example, older children explore and talk about how the dried pasta and rice sounds and feels. Babies begin to investigate the texture by placing their hands in the mixture and picking up larger pieces of pasta. Children develop their language skills through this activity, using words such as 'crunchy' and 'hard' when describing how the pasta and rice feel. Younger children explore small sensory tubes and begin to identify the different letters they see inside. Children enjoy singing along to nursery rhymes and move their bodies to dance along to the music.

p.3

Setting details

Unique reference number 155740 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 1089804 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 12 Number of children on roll 15

p.4

Name of registered person

Date of previous inspection 29 January 2015

p.4

Telephone number

The childminder registered in 2001 and lives in Oxhey Village, near Watford, Hertfordshire. She works with a full-time assistant and a part-time assistant. The childminder holds a childcare qualification at level 3. She operates all year round from 8am to 6pm on Tuesday to Friday, except for bank holidays and family holidays. She receives funding to provide free early education for three- and four-year-old children.

p.4

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.

p.4

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.

p.4

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 .

p.5

Telephone number

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

p.5

Telephone number

T: 0300 123 4234 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ofsted

p.5