Childminder in Hertfordshire

Overall effectiveness Inadequate

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

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The provision is inadequate

The childminder chooses to care for four early years children and is unable to demonstrate how she meets their needs effectively. She does not provide sufficiently challenging learning opportunities or enough resources to keep children engaged in learning. Consequently, children often squabble, snatch toys and try to hurt each other. The childminder does not always deal with children's challenging behaviour well enough. At times, she explains to children what effect their actions have on others and asks them to say sorry. However, at other times children ignore the childminder's requests, as she does not have consistent strategies in place to deal with unacceptable behaviour.

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The provision is inadequate

Despite the weaknesses in practice, children receive a warm welcome from the childminder. They appear to be settled and happy in her care. Young children play contentedly and enjoy exploring different materials. They show their developing physical skills as they thread pipe cleaners through holes in a colander. Older children use toys imaginatively. For example, they pretend small toys for a colour matching activity are snacks. However, children spend a lot of time playing in this way and it becomes mundane and lacking in purpose. The childminder does not build on children's play and interests to support their ongoing progress. Children who are soon to move on to school are not sufficiently challenged, as the childminder's expectation of what they can achieve is not high enough.

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need to do better?

n The childminder explains how she bases her curriculum on the Montessori approach to learning. She talks about how she wants children to develop into independent learners and develop good skills in preparation for school. However, she does not consistently interact with children as they play, to build on their learning. The activities and resources the childminder provides are not targeted to children's individual needs to ensure they are consistently challenged. n The childminder's management of children's behaviour is poor. For example, when children leave chairs and others sit on them, they feel when they return, they have a right to sit on the same chair. This results in children pulling each other and the childminder reinforces their behaviour by allowing children to have the chair back. At other times, children walk past toddlers and, totally unprovoked, pull their hair. This puts the younger children at risk of being hurt.

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need to do better?

n The childminder often chooses to use the exemption to the ratios requirement, so that she can offer children continuity of care. However, she does not sufficiently demonstrate that she can always meet their needs well enough. Although children are developing independence in using the bathroom by themselves, they sometimes need support to go straight up the stairs. However, the childminder is unable to leave other children to play outside as they argue

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need to do better?

19 May 2022 over toys. n The childminder has completed numerous training courses to help her improve her understanding of ways children learn and develop, but this has had little impact on the quality of education. The childminder identifies some suitable activities, such as reading stories. Children join in and talk about what is happening and gain information from pictures. However, such meaningful interactions do not happen frequently enough to help children make suitable progress in preparation for school. n The childminder gains some information from parents about what children can already do when they start to attend the setting, in order to work out what children need to learn next. The childminder talks about children's next steps in learning. However, she does not plan suitable learning experiences to enable these to be met. n Children have opportunities to develop healthy lifestyles. They enjoy playing in

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need to do better?

the garden where they have space to be active. At other times, the childminder takes children on nature walks in the local community. The childminder provides healthy meals, such as home-cooked soup. Children skilfully spread butter on toast and enjoy eating this with their soup. n Parents' comments about the childminder are positive. They state they are pleased with the progress their children are making. The childminder keeps parents updated on children's progress to help them to support learning at home.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The childminder understands her role and responsibilities for safeguarding children. She knows the possible signs and symptoms of abuse and who to contact should she have any concerns about the welfare of a child in her care. The childminder has suitable knowledge of wider safeguarding concerns, such as children being exposed to extreme views and the 'Prevent' duty guidance. She understands the correct procedure to follow if an allegation is made against her or a family member.

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Due date

19 May 2022 assess what children know and can do and use this to plan and implement an ambitious, well sequenced and fully informed curriculum that supports all children to make the best possible progress 06/06/2022

p.3

Due date

improve the procedures for managing children's behaviour, in order to help them to manage their own feelings and behaviour and to understand how these have an impact on others 06/06/2022

p.4

Due date

ensure children's care and learning needs are met at all times. 06/06/2022

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Setting details

Unique reference number 2516053 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 10207916 Type of provision Childminder

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Registers

Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register Day care type Childminder

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inspection

Total number of places 6 Number of children on roll 4 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2019 and lives in Hemel Hempstead. She operates all year round from 8am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, except for bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder holds an appropriate childcare qualification at level 3.

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Inspection activities

n This was the first routine inspection the childminder received since the COVID- 19 pandemic. The inspector discussed the impact of the pandemic with her and has taken that into account in her evaluation of the childminder. n The inspector looked at the areas of the home, downstairs, that are used for childcare and discussed with the childminder how she operates her practice and implements her curriculum. n The inspector observed the childminder joining in activities with children and discussed the learning that was taking place with her. They discussed the needs of individual children and talked about the progress they are making. n A sample of documents was looked at by the inspector, including the suitability checks of household members and safeguarding and complaints policies and procedures. n The inspector took into account the views of parents and discussed the childminder's reflections of her practice with her.

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Inspection activities

19 May 2022 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.

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Inspection activities

19 May 2022 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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