Childminder in Hertfordshire

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 16 January 2015 17 December 2009

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This inspection: Outstanding 1

Previous inspection: Outstanding 1 How well the early years provision meets the needs of the range of children who attend Outstanding 1

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This inspection: Outstanding 1

The contribution of the early years provision to the well-being of children Outstanding 1

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This inspection: Outstanding 1

The effectiveness of the leadership and management of the early years provision Outstanding 1

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This inspection: Outstanding 1

The setting meets legal requirements for early years settings

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This provision is outstanding

 Children are secure, happy and confident. An excellent settling-in process results in very close relationships between the childminder and children, creating an emotionally supportive environment in which children thrive.  The childminder fully understands how young children learn and teaching is excellent. She accurately assesses children's development and provides a wealth of rich and stimulating experiences that meet their individual learning needs. Consequently, all children make rapid progress in their learning and development.  Partnerships with parents are very positive. An excellent range of initiatives engage, support and build on their interest in their children's development and provide children with continuity in their learning and care.  Safeguarding children is given a high priority. The childminder has an excellent knowledge and understanding of child protection procedures and how to keep children

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This provision is outstanding

safe. This means she protects the children and fully promotes their welfare.  The childminder provides excellent support and guidance to those who work with her. The systems for staff supervision allow her co-childminder and assistants to identify their strengths and weaknesses and work to these or address them respectively.  The childminder manages her setting in a highly professional and organised way. She demonstrates a strong commitment towards continuous improvement and has robust systems in place for evaluating her provision. As a result, she is delivering excellent quality care and learning for children to allow them to develop to their full potential.

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What the setting needs to do to improve further

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

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What the setting needs to do to improve further

 continue with high quality supervisions and focus on ongoing professional development for all adults working with the children.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector viewed all areas used by children.  The inspector observed the childminder playing and interacting with the children.  The inspector spoke to the childminder, her co-childminder, assistant and children throughout the inspection as appropriate.  The inspector looked at planning documentation and children's assessment records.  The inspector looked at a sample of records and policies relating to children's welfare, health and safety. She also checked evidence of the suitability of the childminder and other people working and living at the premises.  The inspector took account of the written views of parents and carers included in the childminder's documentation.

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who attend. This is outstanding

The childminder provides an excellent range of very interesting and challenging experiences to help children learn. She thoroughly understands how to adapt her practice and teaching techniques to meet children's individual needs. For example, while working on the same activity with a number of children, she is able to meet all their needs well, by varying her interventions, use of language and expectations for each child. She skilfully supports children who are learning to count, those who are able to recognise only one or two colours and those who are learning to use knives safely and effectively. Children are fully engaged in their play and planned activities. They demonstrate excellent levels of concentration and enjoyment. The childminder monitors children's progress thoroughly through regular observation and assessment of their development. This allows her to identify and address their next steps in learning. All children, therefore, make excellent

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who attend. This is outstanding

progress and are very well prepared, both in their learning and emotionally, for the next stage of their learning.

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outstanding

The childminder's home is very safe and welcoming. She provides an excellent range of good quality and stimulating resources, which are independently accessible to all children. Behaviour is excellent, as the childminder and those who work with her provide consistent, clear messages about such things as sharing, taking turns and saying 'please' and 'thank you'. The childminder consistently offers praise and encouragement, which promotes children's self-esteem and confidence. The childminder promotes healthy lifestyles very well. She ensures that children benefit from regular opportunities to get out in the fresh air and enjoy physical exercise, which enhances their overall sense of well-being. The childminder provides an excellent range of healthy snacks and nutritious, home-cooked meals. Prior to children starting, she gathers pertinent information about the children's dietary requirements and adheres strictly to these.

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provision is outstanding

The childminder knows and fully understands how to keep children safe. She shares all policies and procedures with parents, so that they understand how she does so. She meticulously implements highly comprehensive risk assessments and daily checks to ensure children are safe at all times. She is extremely well organised and thorough in her record keeping. All of the legally required policies, procedures and records are in place. The childminder and those who work with her are well qualified or are working towards qualifications. This means that children benefit from their specialist knowledge about the early years. She acknowledges that she would like the whole team to continue to develop their knowledge and understanding through further training, so that children are best supported to reach the highest levels of attainment. Very positive partnerships with parents, and with external agencies and other providers when necessary, ensure a shared

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provision is outstanding

approach to meeting all children's needs.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 129945 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 854204 Type of provision Childminder Registration category Childminder Age range of children 0 - 17 Total number of places 12 Number of children on roll 17

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Name of provider

Date of previous inspection 17 December 2009

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Telephone number

The childminder was registered in 1991 and runs one of the Jolly Tots Childminding Group settings in Borehamwood. The childminder operates all year round from 7.30am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, except for bank holidays and family holidays. She receives funding for the provision of free early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children. There are four members of staff who work with the childminder at various times, including a full- time co-childminder and part-time assistants. Of these, two hold relevant early years qualifications at level 3. The childminder has a degree and has gained Early Years Professional status.

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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.

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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.

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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 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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Telephone number

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

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