Childminder in Hertfordshire

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 26 January 2015 Not applicable

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This inspection: Good 2

Previous inspection: Not applicable 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 regularly observes and assesses children's skills. She plans purposeful activities to promote their next steps in learning. Therefore, children develop their skills well.  Teaching is secure because the childminder understands the needs of children and ensures they develop skills across all areas of learning. She strongly focuses on preparing them for school.  The childminder promotes children's interests and they learn through play. She effectively supports their imaginative development. For example, she extends children's reading experiences by providing them with related activities and resources to expand their learning.  The childminder is attentive to children and teaches them how to manage their own needs. She provides them with healthy meals and plenty of outdoor activities and fresh air. Consequently, children's well-being is promoted well.  The childminder is knowledgeable and effectively promotes the safeguarding and

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This provision is good

welfare requirements. She knows how to protect children and maintains a well- documented practice to ensure their safety.  The childminder participates in regular training to enhance her knowledge and regularly implements new ideas in her practice. She consults parents, completes self-evaluation and reflects on her services to ensure children's needs are met.

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It is not yet outstanding because:

 The childminder does not fully engage parents in sharing information with her about children's skills on entry as she mainly obtains information from them about their care needs. Therefore, children's initial learning experiences are not maximised.

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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

 engage parents in sharing information about their children's skills on entry, in order to maximise children's learning from early days.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector observed activities and children at play in the childminder's home.  The inspector spoke to the childminder and interacted with children at appropriate times during the inspection.  The inspector reviewed an activity with the childminder.  The inspector took account of the views of parents as provided through written feedback notes.  The inspector looked at children's records, planning and a range of other documentation, including policies and procedures.

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who attend. This is good

The childminder effectively promotes all areas of learning and provides children with a well-resourced learning environment. She effectively promotes their interest. For example, children play with dolls and the childminder teaches them how to look after 'babies'. The childminder identifies children's starting points by observing their skills. Parents share information about their children's interests and preferences on entry. However, this includes limited information about their development, so it is not sufficient to maximise children's learning in their early days with the childminder. The childminder plans interesting and challenging activities that purposefully support children's progress. She teaches children through play and extends their learning well. For example, children play with blocks and she provides them with more blocks to build an even taller tower. The childminder focuses on teaching children the skills they will need for school, as they

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who attend. This is good

develop literacy and mathematical skills through direct teaching and routines. She encourages their appreciation for books by regularly reading with them. Teaching is good because the childminder is mindful of children's needs.

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good

The childminder engages parents in care practices and tailors routines to meet children's needs. She is attentive towards children and effectively promotes their emotional development. The childminder sets appropriate boundaries and praises children's achievements, in order to boost their confidence. She effectively promotes diversity and children learn about different cultures. For example, they celebrate festivals from different religions and cultures and talk about special events in their lives. This practice makes children feel proud of who they are. The childminder promotes children's good health. For example, she regularly invites a dentist to teach children to brush their teeth. The childminder teaches children about personal safety and they attentively listen to her instructions as they explore the environment. Children settle well and display strong bonds with the childminder, who thoughtfully supports them to confidently move on to school.

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provision is good

The childminder is knowledgeable and meets all safeguarding and welfare requirements. She securely knows steps to take should she become concerned about children's welfare. The childminder provides children with a safe environment and carefully risk assesses outings. She organises a thorough induction for parents, when she obtains information about them and their children. The childminder effectively shares her procedures with parents, including safeguarding procedures, and aspects of educational programmes for children. She works alongside other settings children attend to promote their continuity of care and learning. Therefore, she maintains an effective two-way flow of information with everyone involved in children's care and learning. The childminder effectively supervises children at all times to ensure their safety and well-being.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY473997 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 1003279 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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Name of provider

Date of previous inspection Not applicable

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Telephone number

The childminder was registered in 2014 and lives in St Albans. She operates all year round from 8am to 6.30pm, Monday to Friday, except for bank holidays and family holidays.

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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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