Childminder 147710

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 26 February 2015 19 March 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 Outstanding 1

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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

 Positive partnerships with parents contribute towards children's good progress. The childminder invites parents to share information about children's emerging interests and skills at home, and adds this to their learning files. She uses this information in her planning for each child, promoting continuity of children's learning.  The childminder helps children appreciate the world around them. This is because she helps them to share each other's language and cultural celebrations, such as Hindu, Swedish and African culture, within activities and through discussion.  Children love to play in the garden where they plant interesting vegetables and herbs, such as curry plants and mint, to investigate taste and smell. By going on woodland walks children develop good health through exercise. The childminder helps children to become interested in living creatures such as the deer they see in the woods, and the

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This provision is good

snails they collect and make homes for in the garden.  Children demonstrate exceptionally good behaviour and readily take turns when playing board games together. They are extremely kind to each other and show tolerance when younger children take longer to do things than themselves. This is because the childminder shows children respect at all times and listens to their opinions. Consequently, children are emotionally prepared for school.  The childminder consistently reviews her practice to assess the quality of provision for children. She has recently begun to work closely with another childminder introducing, for example, peer reviews to aid her in planning continuous improvement for children.

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It is not yet outstanding because:

 On occasion, children are not always provided with sufficient time to find their own ways to develop their ideas because the childminder is sometimes over eager to support them as they play.

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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

 consolidate children's independence by allowing them even more time to organise themselves, think through solutions and use their emergent skills and knowledge.

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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 throughput the inspection.  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 documentation, including the safeguarding procedures.  The inspector reviewed the childminder's self-evaluation form and discussed with the childminder her other methods of self-evaluation.

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who attend. This is good

The childminder plans interesting activities that help all children to learn. For example, children enjoy board games, using dice and selecting colours and shapes to complete a caterpillar thread. Children enjoy reading with the childminder. They listen avidly as she tells the story before asking them probing questions. This helps children to broaden their vocabulary and supports their interest in reading. Such activities help to prepare children for a move to nursery or school. Children make independent choices. For example, they decide to make dough and the childminder quickly gathers the ingredients together and talks them through the process. This contributes significantly towards supporting children's motivation to learn. However, on occasion, the childminder does not allow children sufficient time to complete activities or solve problems. For example, when threading, she wraps tape round the end of a lace because it will not go through a cotton reel, instead of

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who attend. This is good

allowing children to think of a solution. She also selects resources for children rather than asking them to consider what they might need themselves.

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outstanding

The childminder uses extremely thorough settling-in processes with new children. She completes detailed observations during the initial days that children attend and then meets with parents to evaluate how children have settled in. Consequently, this, and consistent positive support from the childminder, helps children to form very close bonds with her. Children competently wash their hands after playing with messy materials and before mealtimes. Children are very well nourished because the childminder provides meals that accommodate all children's individual dietary needs. The childminder takes every opportunity to help children understand how to keep themselves safe. For example, in addition to emergency evacuation, 'stranger danger' and road safety discussions, they talk about the need to check that equipment in the park is safe to use. As a result, children develop a very good understanding of how to keep themselves safe from harm.

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provision is good

The childminder understands her responsibilities in meeting the safeguarding and welfare requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage. Safeguarding procedures are effective because the childminder undertakes up-to-date training. The childminder is experienced and refreshes her knowledge by completing further training. For example, by attending an Early Years Foundation Stage course and 'Everyone a Teacher' she has enhanced her teaching methods further. The childminder monitors all children's progress regularly. She completes a progress check for children between the ages of two and three years, and works closely with parents and all other settings that children attend. Consequently, she takes active steps to foster the progress of children for whom English is an additional language, and works closely with parents and other professionals to support children's development in all areas.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 147710 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 996559 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 19 March 2009

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Telephone number

The childminder was registered in 2000 and lives in Stevenage. She operates all year round from 8am to 6pm, 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

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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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