Childminder in Hertfordshire

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 22 January 2015 14 January 2009

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This inspection: Good 2

Previous inspection: Good 2 How well the early years provision meets the needs of the range of children who attend Good 2

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This inspection: Good 2

The contribution of the early years provision to the well-being of children Good 2

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This inspection: Good 2

The effectiveness of the leadership and management of the early years provision Good 2

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This inspection: Good 2

The setting meets legal requirements for early years settings

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This provision is good

 The childminder's effective teaching skills support children to learn successfully. As a result, children make good progress.  Partnerships with parents are very good and ensure children's individual needs are identified from the beginning and well supported through their time at the setting.  Children have good attachments to the childminder, who is very caring and attentive to their needs. This enables the children to explore the environment with confidence.  The childminder demonstrates a strong commitment to promoting high-quality provision. She has completed a formal childcare qualification since her last inspection, which has had a good impact on the learning experiences she offers children.

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It is not yet outstanding because:

 The childminder does not always provide opportunities for the younger children to engage in messy activities and explore natural materials using all their senses.  Children are not always provided with a range of opportunities to develop their mathematical understanding to the highest level.

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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

 enhance young children's good development even more by providing opportunities for them to engage in messy activities more frequently; and by providing more resources made from natural materials, such as wood  provide a wider range of mathematical resources and opportunities, to enable children to develop their mathematical understanding to the highest level.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector observed the childminder engaging in activities with the children and discussed the learning that was taking place.  The inspector viewed the areas of the premises and garden used for childminding.  The inspector looked at children's assessment records, planning documentation, evidence of suitability of household members, and a range of other documents, including the safeguarding policy.  The inspector took account of the information shared with parents as recorded in written documents.

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who attend. This is good

The quality of teaching is good because the childminder interacts very well with children to challenge them effectively. She ensures children have free access to a range of toys and resources which are of interest to them. For example, young children are excited to press buttons and lift flaps on toys; this is an effective way of introducing children to early technology. However, there are fewer opportunities for the younger children to engage in messy activities and explore natural materials using all their senses. The childminder uses walks home from school as an opportunity for children to learn about the environment and this makes learning fun. However, on occasions the childminder does not always maximise opportunities to promote children's mathematical development to the highest level. The childminder regularly observes and assesses children's learning; this includes the mandatory progress check for children between the age of two and three years. She

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who attend. This is good

shares these assessments with parents and with other settings children attend; this ensures continuity in children's learning.

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good

The childminder's home is safe and welcoming. Children have positive relationships with the childminder; they enjoy her cuddles, praise and consistent reassurance. Children have opportunities to be active and engage in physical play in the local park on a regular basis. The childminder promotes young children's physical development in her home. For example, she uses a colourful ball to develop children's large muscles. They have fun together as they roll the ball to each other. Children demonstrate increasing levels of skill as they crawl to the ball and throw it to the childminder. The childminder meets their individual dietary needs as she provides healthy snacks and encourages parents to provide healthy meals. Children benefit from regular trips to toddler groups to develop their social skills and confidence. The childminder ensures she prepares children for the move to school by giving them many opportunities to be independent and to develop good self-

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good

help skills, such as putting on their shoes and coats.

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provision is good

The childminder has a secure knowledge of how to keep children safe. She regularly reviews risks in the environment and on outings. The childminder is committed to promoting good-quality provision for children and their parents. Systems for evaluating what is working and what needs to improve are good. The childminder sources appropriate professional development opportunities through attending courses or online. For example, she is currently investigating ways to improve her knowledge on mathematical activities for children. The childminder regularly seeks the views of parents through questionnaires and uses these to further reflect on her good practice. The childminder monitors children's progress through her effective assessments of their learning and she shares these with parents. This ensures any gaps in children's learning are effectively addressed.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 149436 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 874961 Type of provision Childminder Registration category Childminder Age range of children 0 - 17 Total number of places 6 Number of children on roll 8

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Name of provider

Date of previous inspection 14 January 2009

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Telephone number

The childminder was registered in 1992 and lives in Baldock. She operates all year round from 8am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, except for bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder holds a relevant early years qualification at level 3.

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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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