Childminder in Hertfordshire

Overall effectiveness Inadequate

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

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The provision is inadequate

The childminder is not meeting the requirements of her registration. On occasions, she has allowed a person who has not been appropriately vetted to act as an assistant and have unsupervised contact with children. In addition, she has failed to notify Ofsted of changes to people living on the premises. These weaknesses compromise children's safety and welfare.

p.2

The provision is inadequate

Despite this, the childminder has a homely and welcoming environment for children. She plans an interesting and varied curriculum that supports children's learning well. The childminder supports children to explore and investigate. When children try to climb in a box, she follows their lead and makes learning fun. The childminder has carefully planned her curriculum around the individual needs of children. She takes children on walks to the local farm, which helps them to learn about the world around them. Children play imaginatively. The childminder joins in and sustains their play. She continually talks to the children. She describes what they are doing and introduces new words to help increase their vocabulary. This supports children's communication and language skills well.

p.2

The provision is inadequate

The childminder has clear expectations for children's learning and behaviour. She frequently gives children praise and encouragement as they play. The childminder has formed a good bond with children. As a result, children behave well.

p.2

need to do better?

n The childminder has failed to ensure the suitability of those adults working with children. The childminder is aware of the background of those working with children and the need to inform Ofsted that she intends to use them as an assistant. However, she has not taken quick enough action to ensure the appropriate checks are in place, before allowing new adults to work directly and unsupervised with children. This does not ensure children's safety or well-being. n The childminder has failed to notify Ofsted of new household members who moved into the premises. As a result, Ofsted have been unable to establish the suitability of all individuals living in the home. This oversight potentially places children at risk. n The quality of teaching is good. The childminder has a good understanding of how young children learn and develop. She knows children well and uses this knowledge to plan a curriculum that is fun and includes children's individual

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need to do better?

interests. The childminder completes ongoing observations and assessments of children. This helps her to identify any gaps in learning, so that she can help to close these. n The childminder helps children develop their language and communication skills. For example, children cosy up to the childminder as they look at picture books

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need to do better?

15 January 2024 together. They point at the pictures and the childminder names the items they see. Children eagerly turn the pages of the book to see what pictures are next. They laugh loudly as they poke their fingers through the holes of the book to make wiggly legs. n Younger children explore the environment and practise new skills, such as crawling and walking. They regularly check in with the childminder for cuddles. The childminder knows the children's cues well. When they are tired, she comforts them until they are ready to play. n The childminder meets with other local childminders. She takes children to various local community groups, where they can make friends and mix with larger groups of children. This helps children to become more confident in social situations. n The childminder has good links with the local schools and other pre-schools. These relationships support the learning and development of the children who

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need to do better?

attend other settings or who are moving on to primary school. n Parents' written comments are very complimentary about the childminder. Parents state that the children are happy and love coming to the childminder's home. n The childminder is beginning to reflect on her own professional development. She completes the required mandatory training. However, she has yet to extend her own professional development to inform her practice further.

p.3

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are not effective.

p.3

Safeguarding

There is not an open and positive culture around safeguarding that puts children's interests first.

p.3

Due date

ensure that any assistant whose suitability has not been checked is not left unsupervised with children 12/02/2024

p.3

Due date

provide Ofsted with information about all adults working with children within the required timeframes to allow for suitability checks to be carried out 12/02/2024

p.3

Due date

15 January 2024 submit appropriate forms to Ofsted to allow necessary checks to be completed on all persons aged over 16 years living in the household to ensure their suitability. 12/02/2024

p.3

should:

n seek wider training opportunities to develop skills and knowledge further.

p.4

Setting details

Unique reference number 2643859 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 10317567 Type of provision Childminder

p.5

Registers

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

p.5

inspection

Total number of places 5 Number of children on roll 4 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

p.5

Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2021 and lives in Letchworth. She operates all year round from 7am to 5pm, Monday to Friday, except for bank holidays and family holidays.

p.5

Inspection activities

n This was the first routine inspection the childminder received since the COVID- 19 pandemic began. The inspector discussed the impact of the pandemic with the provider and has taken that into account in their evaluation of the provider. n We carried out this inspection as a result of a risk assessment, following information we received about the provider. n The childminder showed the inspector the premises and discussed how they ensure they are safe and suitable. n The childminder and the inspector discussed how the childminder organises their early years provision, including the aims and rationale for their early years foundation stage curriculum. n The childminder spoke to the inspector about children's learning and development with a particular focus on communication and language. n The inspector observed the interactions between the childminder and children. n The childminder provided the inspector with a sample of key documentation on

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Inspection activities

15 January 2024 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

15 January 2024 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

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/ofsted

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