Childminder in Hertfordshire

Overall effectiveness Inadequate

The quality of education Requires improvement Behaviour and attitudes Requires improvement Personal development Inadequate Leadership and management Inadequate Overall effectiveness at previous inspection Not applicable

p.1

The provision is inadequate

The childminder does not fulfil her statutory requirements. She has not refreshed her knowledge of safeguarding or her responsibilities as a childcare provider since her registration visit. This places the children in her care at significant risk of harm.

p.2

The provision is inadequate

Furthermore, although the childminder has knowledge of the seven areas of learning, her process to assess children's levels of development is not effective. This, at present, includes only an occasional review of online resources. She is not aware that she must complete a written progress check for children between the ages of two and three years. The childminder gathers some information from parents and the other settings children attend when they start in her care. However, this does not always enable her to identify gaps in children's experiences, in order to plan a rich and meaningful curriculum. These weaknesses do not support all children to make consistently good levels of progress.

p.2

The provision is inadequate

Nonetheless, children develop a secure bond with the childminder and show they are happy in her care. They are beginning to develop their concentration as they take part in the activities that she chooses for them. They respond to her positively and listen intently as she reads a storybook about sea creatures to them and asks them questions about the characters. This helps to support their communication and language development.

p.2

The provision is inadequate

Children follow instruction and are clear on the childminder's expectations for behaviour. They are beginning to develop their social skills and have an understanding of what is right from wrong.

p.2

need to do better?

n The childminder is keen to improve her practice. She has a safeguarding training course booked for later in the year and has established some links with other childminders. However, these have not provided her with any immediate knowledge to meet the statutory requirements of the early years foundation stage. n Many activities for young children focus specifically on aspects of mathematics and literacy even though they already show competent skills in these areas. The childminder does not place enough focus on the younger children's progress across the prime areas of learning. n The childminder has not established an effective process with parents or other professionals to find out what children already know and can do when they start in her care. Therefore, she is not able to immediately build on children's previous knowledge and experiences. n The childminder does not draw on children's interests well enough to inform her

p.2

need to do better?

16 October 2019 planning, even though these are known to her. This does not help to ignite children's curiosity or build on their positive attitude to learning. At times, children appear a little uninterested in some of the planned activities. n The childminder does not organise some daily resources as effectively as possible for the younger or newer children to make independent choices or fully extend their play. Children occasionally need to wait until it is time to go to the playroom, situated in a separate building from the home. n The childminder draws on her past experience of working with children and, at times, shows suitable methods of observation and teaching. For example, she encourages children to persevere with tasks and remains close by to give them support as they need. Children receive warm praise from the childminder for their achievements. n Children use their smaller physical skills well. They show control and

p.2

need to do better?

coordination as they use pens to draw and colour their fish. Children learn how to use scissors safely to cut around the paper shapes that they draw. They acquire some of the basic skills they need to prepare them for future learning. n The childminder has regular discussions with children. She uses clear pronunciation to introduce them to new words and support their developing vocabulary. Children receive ample time to respond to the questions that she asks. n The childminder prepares a range of nutritious snacks and meals for children each day. She encourages children to try new tastes and strictly adheres to the dietary preference requests of each family. n Children are familiar with the daily routine. Young children know they need to finish their play and have lunch before it is time for nursery. After school, older children enjoy some time to rest with a snack before they focus on their daily homework tasks. This supports their emotional well-being and gives them a

p.3

need to do better?

sense of belonging in her home. n The childminder has completed some risk assessments on her home. She ensures that the premises remain secure and has an emergency evacuation plan in place.

p.3

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are not effective.

p.3

Safeguarding

The childminder has not maintained an up-to-date knowledge of child protection issues or safeguarding practice. Therefore, she is not alert to all of the safeguarding indicators that may place a child at risk of harm. This means that the childminder is not able to respond to safeguarding issues in a timely or appropriate way. In addition, she is not aware of government initiatives such as the 'Prevent' duty guidance or the current reporting procedures of her local authority. This has an impact on children's welfare.

p.3

Due date

gain an up-to-date knowledge of safeguarding issues, including having regard to government statutory guidance, in order to be alert to any issues for concern in a child's life at home or elsewhere, and to respond in a timely and appropriate way to the relevant agencies 16/11/2019

p.4

Due date

ensure the curriculum planned for children includes suitably challenging activities across all areas of learning and takes account of their interests and any previous learning experiences. For the youngest children this must focus strongly on the three prime areas 16/11/2019

p.4

Due date

implement effective use of assessment, in order to understand children's levels of achievement and identify gaps in their learning. This must include a short, written summary of children's development between the ages of two and three years to be provided to parents and/or carers. 16/11/2019

p.4

should:

n strengthen partnerships with parents and the other settings that children attend to develop more effective ways to share information about children's learning and development n enhance the organisation of resources to enable younger children and those new to the setting to make further independent choices and extend their own play.

p.4

Setting details

Unique reference number EY545222 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 10094880 Type of provision Childminder

p.5

Registers

Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register Day care type Childminder Age range of children 3 to 11 Total number of places 6 Number of children on roll 10 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

p.5

Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2017 and lives in Hitchin. She operates all year round from 7am to 6.30pm, Monday to Friday, except for bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder provides funded early education for children aged three and four years.

p.5

Inspection activities

n The inspector had a tour of the premises and viewed the areas and resources the childminder makes available for children. n The inspector observed the quality of teaching during activities indoors and in the separate playroom. She assessed the impact this has on children's learning. n The inspector discussed the curriculum with the childminder and completed a joint evaluation of the activities that were available. n 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.

p.5

Inspection activities

We carried out this inspection 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.5

Inspection activities

16 October 2019 16 October 2019 regulates and inspects to 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 and Support Service (Cafcass), schools, colleges, initial teacher training, further education and skills, 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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Inspection activities

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Inspection activities

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Inspection activities

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Inspection activities

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