Sloan Jane Suzanne

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 02/12/2014 24/06/2009

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early years provision

This inspection: 1 Previous inspection: 2 How well the early years provision meets the needs of the range of children who attend The contribution of the early years provision to the well-being of children 1 The effectiveness of the leadership and management of the early years provision 1

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This provision is outstanding

 Teaching is outstanding. The childminder makes excellent use of her extremely accurate and precise observations and plans highly inviting and stimulating activities, which incorporate children's next steps in learning. As a result, they make excellent progress, given their starting points and capabilities.  The childminder has developed excellent relationships with parents, carers and other providers of the Early Years Foundation Stage. Children thrive in their development because of this consistent and shared approach to their learning.  Children are forming exceptional relationships with the childminder and their peers. The childminder promotes their overall well-being excellently in a warm and welcoming environment, where children are consistently developing their independent skills.  The childminder protects children in her care exceptionally well and she has an excellent knowledge and understanding of the safeguarding and welfare requirements.

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This provision is outstanding

She is vigilant at all times and has attended additional safeguarding training to keep her awareness up to date in order to fully protect children.  The childminder is highly effective in self-evaluating and monitoring her setting. She continually assesses to ensure that she is able to identify any gaps in children's learning and this demonstrates how she continually strives to improve her already excellent practice.

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Information about this inspection

Inspections of registered early years provision are:  scheduled at least once in every inspection cycle – the current cycle ends on 31 July

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Information about this inspection

 scheduled more frequently where Ofsted identifies a need to do so, for example where provision was previously judged inadequate  brought forward in the inspection cycle where Ofsted has received information that suggests the provision may not be meeting the legal requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage or where assessment of the provision identifies a need for early inspection  prioritised where we have received information that the provision is not meeting the requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage and which suggests children may not be safe  scheduled at the completion of an investigation into failure to comply with the requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage.

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Information about this inspection

The provision is also registered on the voluntary and compulsory parts of the Childcare Register. This report includes a judgment about compliance with the requirements of that register.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector looked at children's assessment records, planning documentation, evidence of the suitability of household members, and a range of other documentation, including the safeguarding and complaint procedures.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector carried out joint discussions with the childminder in relation to observations of the children's play, learning and progress.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector observed activities in the childminder's home and talked with the childminder and children at appropriate times throughout the inspection.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector took account of the views of parents, as recorded in written learning journals and daily diaries. She discussed with the childminder how she evaluates and monitors her setting.

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Information about the setting

The childminder was registered in 1997 and is on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She lives with her husband and two children in Hatfield. The whole of the childminder's house and enclosed rear garden is used for childminding. The childminder takes children to and collects them from the local schools and pre-schools. There are currently five children on roll, three of whom are in the early years age range. All children attend for a variety of sessions. The childminder operates all year round from 8am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, except for bank holidays and family holidays. She regularly attends local childminding network groups and she has a certificate in childcare practice.

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To further improve the quality of the early years provision the provider should:

 continue to enhance the already excellent learning opportunities for children, for example, by introducing resources which they can take home to extend their learning even further.

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who attend

The childminder has an excellent knowledge and understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage. She promotes the learning and development requirements exceptionally well and completes precise observations of each child in the early years age group. The childminder carries out an initial assessment, to find out what children's starting points and capabilities are. She identifies their likes and interests and, using approved developmental guidance, she assesses exactly where children are in their learning. She then plans an excellent range of stimulating activities that challenge children extremely well. For example, during a threading activity, the childminder focuses on colours and shapes. She extends the activity to include learning opportunities for mathematical language and estimating with numbers. In addition to this, she introduces a range of new words to the children's already growing vocabulary. Children demonstrate exceptionally

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who attend

high levels of concentration and engagement. They spend their time purposefully and are extremely motivated to learn.

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who attend

The childminder uses every opportunity to encourage children to explore and have fun and she does this well through spontaneous and planned activities. For example, during a child-initiated story, the childminder uses changes in her voice, and hand-held puppets, to make the story more interesting. Children smile happily as they listen intently and confidently ask the childminder questions. She promotes their speech and language exceptionally well. For example, she consistently asks open-ended questions during every activity to encourage opportunities for children to think further. As a result, children are making exceptional progress in their communication and language development. The childminder promotes excellent opportunities for children to be ready for school when the time comes for them to move on. She introduces activities that effectively challenge children. For example, young children safely learn how to use left and right-handed

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who attend

scissors. They practise tasks, such as, tidying up, and learn to dress and undress as the childminder encourages their independence.

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who attend

The childminder helps children to feel extremely secure in their surroundings and she promotes their personal, social and emotional development exceptionally well. She consistently tells children how well they are doing and ensures that every learning experience exceeds their developmental needs, and therefore, provides exceptional challenge. The childminder arranges home visits to see children in their own environment before they start with her. This promotes excellent opportunities for parents to share what they know about their children. Additionally, this enables the childminder to meet the needs of children and parents right from the beginning. The childminder is excellent at promoting communication between herself and the parents. For example, the diaries and journals that she provides include comments and ongoing discussions from all adults. At the end of each term, the childminder arranges an individual meeting with parents, to

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who attend

discuss and share the excellent progress their children have made. As a result, parents are constantly aware of what their children are doing. The childminder acknowledges that she could enhance the already excellent learning opportunities for children, by introducing resources, which they can take home and enjoy with their families. All children attending the childminder's home have very good opportunities to express themselves, through a range of excellent resources and activities. The childminder increases the variety she already offers by making fortnightly visits to the toy library. As a result, children delight in the wide variety offered to them and they become highly engaged very quickly.

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The contribution of the early years provision to the well-being of children

Children are forming excellent relationships with the childminder and their well-being is wonderfully encouraged. The childminder spends quality time with the children, nurturing their development, and she demonstrates a real passion for her role in promoting their overall welfare. She interacts excellently with the children. She reassures them, praises them and laughs with them. For example, as children enjoy a learning resource, from the toy library, the childminder joins in with their play. The children encourage her to hide her hand within the toy and as she pops it out to reach for them they giggle and laugh excitedly. As younger children show a little nervousness at times, the childminder explains effectively that there is nothing for them to worry about. Consequently, they quickly go back to laughing and smiling, feeling secure with her explanation.

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The contribution of the early years provision to the well-being of children

Children have excellent manners and display exemplary behaviour. They regularly use please and thank you without prompting and the childminder is excellent in praising them for using such good manners. She is an excellent role model, with regard to children learning about effective ways in which to behave. For example, she talks to the children in a calm and warm manner. She promotes excellent use of eye contact when explaining expectations and encourages their understanding of sharing and taking turns exceptionally well. Children's independence is well-developed and they demonstrate these skills at meal times. For example, children collect their chair ready to place at the child-sized table, and are very good at washing their own hands in preparation. In the childminder's role as key person, she ensures that every child's learning and development is personalised specifically to their individual needs. She knows the children in her care extremely well and

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The contribution of the early years provision to the well-being of children

is able to adapt activities quickly to suit each one. As a result, the childminder promotes children's individual care needs to ensure that they are happy and very well cared for.

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The contribution of the early years provision to the well-being of children

Children have excellent opportunities to learn about their personal safety. For example, the childminder uses spontaneous opportunities, such as, when children are using laces to thread, to remind them of the dangers. In addition to this, she talks to children about the resources they use, including the safe use of scissors. Opportunities for children to lead healthy lifestyles are excellent. Although parents provide all meals, the childminder complements these with a range of healthy snacks. She is extremely aware of how to safely reheat and warm food up, and follows written guidance to ensure that she is promoting children's welfare at all times. The childminder promotes opportunities for children to develop excellent social skills. She sits with the children and talks about what they are eating. As a result, children have very good opportunities to learn about healthy lifestyles. Children have exceptional opportunities to enjoy fresh air and exercise and they

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The contribution of the early years provision to the well-being of children

regularly attend outings in the local and extended community. In addition to this, the childminder provides a range of enjoyable outside resources, which supports children's imaginative development extremely well.

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provision

Arrangements for safeguarding are excellent. The childminder has an exceptional knowledge and understanding of the procedures to follow in the event of a child protection concern. The childminder knows the children in her care very well and she recognises any changes in their behaviour quickly. She is extremely aware of the signs and symptoms of abuse and has attended additional training to extend her knowledge further. The childminder has a wide range of written policies and procedures, which she reviews and updates regularly. She displays a comprehensive range of information for parents to access, including the contact details for outside agencies and professionals. The childminder has an excellent understanding of her role and responsibility in protecting children and she is extremely vigilant. She ensures that all required Disclosure and Barring Service checks on family members are in place and she is effective in promoting children's

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provision

safety and welfare. As a result, the childminder is meeting the safeguarding and welfare requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage.

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provision

The childminder has a passionate and sensitive approach to supporting children's development. She demonstrates an inspirational attitude to teaching children, and makes a positive impact on their learning and development. She completes training to improve her practice and monitors the teaching and learning through regular evaluation, which includes talking to parents and children about their views. The childminder is skilled at monitoring the engagement children display in activities and she effectively judges when, and when not, to intervene. As a result, she is able to identify children's needs quickly and therefore, she does not hinder their learning in any way. The childminder has an excellent programme of professional development and continuously looks at where she can improve her already excellent knowledge and daily practice. She consistently reflects on what she does by discussing children's progress with parents, sharing their learning journals and

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provision

reflecting openly on what they enjoy. Her self-evaluation is excellent because of the consistency in her monitoring and evaluation. She is able to effectively explain and demonstrate the progress she has made since her last inspection. This includes the excellent awareness she now has for teaching and learning, and the exceptional understanding she has for enhancing children's learning.

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provision

Parents are extremely happy with the childminder's practice and the childminder has developed excellent relationships with all parents. Partnership working is highly effective because the childminder works extremely well with parents, offering whole family support where required. The childminder also works very closely with other professionals, such as, staff at the local school where children attend, and she shares the wonderful progress children are making to support this further. Overall, the childminder has an outstanding enthusiasm towards childminding and her relationships with children and parents are excellent. As a result, children are extremely happy and they make rapid progress in their learning and development.

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The Childcare Register

The requirements for the compulsory part of the Childcare Register are Met The requirements for the voluntary part of the Childcare Register are Met

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Grade Judgement Description

Grade 1 Outstanding Outstanding provision is highly effective in meeting the needs of all children exceptionally well. This ensures that children are very well prepared for the next stage of their learning. Grade 2 Good Good provision is effective in delivering provision that meets the needs of all children well. This ensures children are ready for the next stage of their learning. Grade 3 Requires improvement The provision is not giving children a good standard of early years education and/or there are minor breaches of the safeguarding and welfare requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage. We re-inspect nurseries and pre-schools judged as requires improvement within 12 months of the date of inspection. Grade 4 Inadequate Provision that is inadequate requires significant improvement and/or enforcement action. The provision is failing to give children an acceptable standard of early years education and/or

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Grade Judgement Description

is not meeting the safeguarding and welfare requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage. It will be monitored and inspected again within six months of the date of this inspection. Met There were no children present at the time of the inspection. The inspection judgement is that the provider continues to meet the requirements for registration. Not met There were no children present at the time of the inspection. The inspection judgement is that the provider does not meet the requirements for registration.

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Inspection

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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Setting details

Unique reference number 129166 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 874812 Type of provision Childminder Registration category Childminder Age range of children 0 - 17 Total number of places 6 Number of children on roll 5

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Telephone number

set out in the guidance ‘Complaints procedure: raising concerns and making complaints about Ofsted’, which is available from Ofsted’s website: www.ofsted.gov.uk. If you would like Ofsted to send you a copy of the guidance, please telephone 0300 123 4234, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk.

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Type of provision

For the purposes of this inspection the following definitions apply:

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Type of provision

Full-time provision is that which operates for more than three hours. These are usually known as nurseries, nursery schools and pre-schools and must deliver the Early Years Foundation Stage. They are registered on the Early Years Register and pay the higher fee for registration.

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Type of provision

Sessional provision operates for more than two hours but does not exceed three hours in any one day. These are usually known as pre-schools, kindergartens or nursery schools and must deliver the Early Years Foundation Stage. They are registered on the Early Years Register and pay the lower fee for registration.

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Type of provision

Childminders care for one or more children where individual children attend for a period of more than two hours in any one day. They operate from domestic premises, which are usually the childminder’s own home. They are registered on the Early Years Register and must deliver the Early Years Foundation Stage.

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Type of provision

Out of school provision may be sessional or full-time provision and is delivered before or after school and/or in the summer holidays. They are registered on the Early Years Register and must deliver the Early Years Foundation Stage. Where children receive their Early Years Foundation Stage in school these providers do not have to deliver the learning and development requirements in full but should complement the experiences children receive in school. 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,

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Type of provision

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 copy all or parts of this document for non-commercial educational purposes, as long as you give details of the source and date of publication and do not alter the information in any way. To receive regular email alerts about new publications, including survey reports and school inspection reports, please visit our website and go to ‘Subscribe’.

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Type of provision

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

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