Childminder in Hertfordshire

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 23 February 2015 24 February 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

 Children clearly show an interest in mathematics. This is recognised by the childminder, who plans exciting games, such as hopscotch, to effectively support the identification of numbers.  The childminder has good teaching abilities and consistently promotes children's communication and language development. Her commentary and supportive questions throughout play enriches their language and thinking skills well.  The childminder effectively promotes the children's well-being. The flexible settling-in routines and shared information with parents ensure that children form close bonds with her.  The childminder supports children from a young age to learn about how to keep themselves safe. For example, she reminds them that if they walk around while eating they may choke.  The childminder maintains her skills well through regular training. For example, since her last inspection she has gained an appropriate early years qualification at level 3.

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This provision is good

This in turn has improved the quality of teaching she provides.

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It is not yet outstanding because:

 The childminder does not always extend children's opportunity to explore the outdoor environment, to enrich their understanding of the natural world.  The childminder does not organise all resources as well as possible. This means that children are not always able to choose independently and extend their play to the maximum.

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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

 extend outdoor learning and development, for example, by increasing opportunities for children to learn about the natural environment  review the organisation of resources so that these are even more accessible in order to support children in making further choices about their play and learning.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector observed children's play and also, snack and lunch time routines. She talked with the childminder and children at appropriate times throughout the inspection.  The inspector looked at evidence of the suitability of the childminder and all adults over the age of 16 years living in the home. The inspector viewed a range of other documentation, including first-aid and safeguarding training certificates.  The inspector held joint discussions with the childminder in relation to observations of the children's play, learning and progress.  The inspector reviewed the childminder's self-evaluation during the inspection. She also viewed some written feedback from parents.

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who attend. This is good

The childminder uses observation and assessment effectively to track children's development and to plan interesting activities. This helps children to make good progress towards the early learning goals. Children learn about their local community through regular trips out with the childminder. However, opportunities to increase their understanding about the natural environment are not as well promoted. Children are able to follow complex instructions with sensitive encouragement from the childminder. As a result, they successfully squeeze paint out of its container, and show their sheer delight at this achievement. The childminder extends children's understanding of the world by first exploring their ideas about animals. Children respond well to this stimuli, showing their interest and they comment that elephants 'have a big tummy'.

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good

The childminder encourages children's physical development by helping them to learn new skills, such as how to screw the lid onto a small paint container. This successfully supports their self-motivation and independence, helping them to develop the confidence to try new activities. This, in turn, ensures that children are effectively prepared for school or the next stage in their learning. Partnership with parents and other settings are good because the childminder encourages a two-way flow of information. As a result, children's continuity of care and learning are fostered well. The childminder provides a broad range of age-appropriate resources. However, these are not always organised in a way that fully maximises children's opportunity to access them. Children learn about good hygiene practices through the daily routines. For example, they understand that after they have used the toilet their hands are 'all dirty' and, therefore, need to be washed.

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provision is good

The childminder undertakes regular reflective practice including the monitoring of educational programmes. She actively seeks the opinions of others and uses this information to help her make decisions about future improvements to her service. This ensures that she is able to make sustained improvements in the service she provides to children and their families. The childminder has a good understanding of safeguarding children. This is because she has attended additional training to increase her knowledge and understanding. She carries out risk assessments of her home and takes action to minimise identified risks. As a result, children's welfare is protected well.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 124027 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 874781 Type of provision Childminder Registration category Childminder Age range of children 0 - 17 Total number of places 6 Number of children on roll 6

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Name of provider

Date of previous inspection 24 February 2009

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Telephone number

The childminder registered in 1997 and lives in Cheshunt. She operates all year round, from 7.30am to 5.30pm, Monday to Friday, except for bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder has an appropriate 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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