Childminder in Hertfordshire

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 3 March 2015 23 June 2009

p.1

This inspection: Outstanding 1

Previous inspection: Good 2 How well the early years provision meets the needs of the range of children who attend Outstanding 1

p.1

This inspection: Outstanding 1

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

p.1

This inspection: Outstanding 1

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

p.1

This inspection: Outstanding 1

The setting meets legal requirements for early years settings

p.1

This provision is outstanding

 The childminder has an exemplary understanding of her responsibilities in meeting the requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage. She very efficiently implements and monitors the educational programmes she provides. Consequently, she quickly identifies children's needs and ensures they are exceptionally well met at all times.  The childminder forms exceptional, warm and caring bonds with children. She provides them with lots of praise and reassurance. As a result, children thrive in her care and show high levels of self-confidence and motivation in activities.  The childminder has superb organisational skills. All her policies and procedures are written to a very high standard and she ensures that she is always up to date with current legislation and requirements. Consequently, children benefit from a provision that is constantly in line with best practice.  The quality of teaching is outstanding. The childminder has a superb knowledge of how

p.1

This provision is outstanding

children learn. She uses this to provide an environment and activities that are highly stimulating and ignite children's enthusiasm to learn and discover. As a result, all children make exceptional progress and acquire a wealth of skills required for the next stage in their learning.  The childminder has formed highly successful partnerships with other childminders and settings that children attend. For example, they contribute their own meticulous observations and accurate assessments directly into the children's beautifully presented learning journals. The childminder uses this information to precisely plan fantastic activities to fully complement their learning.  Children's safety and well-being are of paramount importance to the childminder. She is highly attentive to children's needs and is constantly vigilant to ensure that any hazards are successfully minimised. The childminder has an excellent understanding of robust

p.1

This provision is outstanding

safeguarding procedures and regularly updates her training in this crucial area of practice.

p.1

What the setting needs to do to improve further

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

p.2

What the setting needs to do to improve further

 continue to enhance the already excellent early reading opportunities in the outdoor area even further, for example, by displaying signs and labels all year round so that children continue to make connections of how print can be used in various contexts.

p.2

Inspection activities

 The inspector observed a range of indoor play activities and spoke to the childminder and children at appropriate times.  The inspector conducted a joint observation with the childminder.  The inspector looked at children's assessment records, evidence of the suitability of the childminder, a selection of policies, safety procedures and required documentation.  The inspector took account of the written views of parents.  The inspector reviewed the childminder's self-evaluation form.

p.2

who attend. This is outstanding

Partnerships with parents are exceptionally strong. The childminder invests time with them to establish detailed information of children's starting points, interests and preferences. Parents continue to play an active role in their children's learning and development. This is because the childminder provides highly innovative ways for them to share their children's interests and achievements from home. Children have immense fun exploring new and exciting activities. They mix together cornflour and water to create a dough. The childminder is astute at recognising optimal opportunities to ask children thought- provoking questions that require their response. This highly motivates them to experiment, make predictions and test their ideas as they add more water to explore different consistencies. They learn to link letters to sounds as the childminder sounds each letter of their name and demonstrates how to write with the dough. The childminder's

p.3

who attend. This is outstanding

incisive attention in children's interests inspires them to learn. She extends their concentration as she helps them to complete their chosen challenging puzzles. Their understanding of the world is significantly enhanced as they use the childminder's computer to complete age-appropriate programs and research festivals and celebrations, such as St David's Day.

p.3

outstanding

The childminder's interactions with children show that she thoroughly enjoys spending time with them. She is an excellent role model. Therefore, children behave exceptionally well, creating a vibrant and happy atmosphere for all. The childminder provides children with excellent opportunities to be independent. They manage their own clothes from an early age and demonstrate a real sense of responsibility as they help to set up activities. Children feel emotionally ready for their eventual move on to school. This is because of the childminder's exemplary understanding of children's individual needs and successful planning of specific activities to aid their move. Children have superb opportunities to take part in physical exercise in the fresh air. For example, they enjoy running in the forest and swinging on the zip wire at the local park.

p.3

provision is outstanding

The childminder is inspirational and committed to her role. She uses self-evaluation extremely well to consistently reflect on the service and activities she provides. This enables her to identify improvements and continually drive them forward. Children are usually able to access a rich range of signs and labels outdoors to support their early reading skills. Secure plans are in place to replace these with new laminated ones to enhance early reading skills even further all year round. The childminder is dedicated to continuing to improve her knowledge and skills through training. She achieves this by attending weekly childminder network meetings and thoroughly researching new initiatives online. As a result of recent training, the childminder has a superb knowledge of using her evaluations of children's learning to support even more vigorous assessment.

p.3

Setting details

Unique reference number EY298830 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 861664 Type of provision Childminder Registration category Childminder Age range of children 0 - 17 Total number of places 6 Number of children on roll 4

p.4

Name of provider

Date of previous inspection 23 June 2009

p.4

Telephone number

The childminder was registered in 2005 and lives in Bishops Stortford. She operates all year round from 7am to 6pm, on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, except for bank holidays and family holidays.

p.4

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.

p.4

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.

p.4

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’.

p.5

Telephone number

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

p.5