Childminder in Hertfordshire

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 3 March 2015 23 March 2011

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This inspection: Outstanding 1

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

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This inspection: Outstanding 1

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

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This inspection: Outstanding 1

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

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This inspection: Outstanding 1

The setting meets legal requirements for early years settings

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This provision is outstanding

 The childminder provides children with excellent learning opportunities. The children's interest in international sporting competitions is used superbly to develop their knowledge and understanding of other countries, the people and their cultures.  Children are central to the activity planning. Their interests and ideas are included very effectively and as a result, there is a very high level of engagement. This means children make very good progress in their learning from their individual starting points.  Children, the childminder and her assistant have excellent relationships. Their relaxed interactions and evident respect for each other foster children's emotional well-being very effectively.  Children have a very healthy life. The childminder embraces the opportunities to bring the indoor learning environment outside. This means children learn in the fresh air and are physically active. They enjoy learning about how to keep themselves healthy and

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This provision is outstanding

well.  The childminder meets the requirements for safeguarding and welfare. She has an excellent knowledge and works well with her assistant to ensure she is equally confident and secure in her understanding. As a result, they consistently provide a very high-quality service.  The childminder is incorporating new ideas and knowledge into her practice and this is driving forward improvements for the benefit of the children. The quality of teaching is consistently high.

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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

 continue to build on the excellent practice, for example, by ensuring a targeted programme of continuous professional development is maintained.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector observed activities in the sitting room, kitchen, garden and conducted a joint observation with the childminder.  The inspector, childminder, her assistant and children had conversations at appropriate times during the inspection.  The inspector looked at documentation related to the day-to-day organisation of the childminding service, children's progress and self-evaluation.  The inspector took account of the views of parents from information provided by the childminder in testimonials and questionnaires.  The inspector checked the evidence of the suitability and qualifications of the childminder and the suitability of other household members aged over 16 years.

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who attend. This is outstanding

Children are making great progress in their learning. The childminder and her assistant plan and provide extremely interesting and exciting activities that help children to acquire knowledge across a range of subjects. They organise a superb learning environment indoors and outside, tailoring it precisely to the needs of individual children. As a result, each child gains new skills and capabilities that equip them for further learning in school. Children delight in the many practical experiences on offer. Cutting up fruit, smelling and tasting it thoroughly engages them. Children embrace the language-rich environment and use their wide vocabulary to describe what they see and feel. The childminder is very inventive in her story telling. She includes wonderful props that support the children and involve them fully in telling the story and challenging their abilities. The childminder and her assistant expertly track children's progress. The assessments are rigorous and the

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who attend. This is outstanding

information gained informs the future plans and the high-quality teaching.

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outstanding

The childminder fosters children's emotional well-being very effectively. She offers truly sensitive support that helps children to build their self-assurance and willingness to try new things. Parents have a very high regard for the childminding service and how it meets children's needs. The childminder makes the utmost of outdoor learning throughout the year. Both she and her assistant are extremely astute regarding children's needs and are quick to use opportunities to further their knowledge and skills. While playing football in the fresh air, they discuss the width of the goals they have made. This provides children with the chance to explore their mathematical knowledge as they exercise. Children learn about possible dangers and what they can do to keep themselves safe when they participate in exciting play with planks of wood. The childminder continually ensures children have the essential skills necessary for independence in a group setting, such as

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outstanding

school. Children are very sensible and responsible. They show enormous respect for others and a real interest in the world around them.

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provision is outstanding

The childminder has an excellent knowledge of the Early Years Foundation Stage. She uses this extremely effectively to make sure children are safe and to promote learning to the highest standard. She maintains excellent relationships with parents that ensure children's well-being. Highly-effective relationships with other professionals and early years providers ensure she maximises children's progress towards the early learning goals. The childminder reflects on her practice and that of her assistant, using the feedback from the children, families and those she works with to identify improvements and secure rapid enhancements. The childminder and assistant frequently attend a variety of training. They put the skills that they learn into their teaching with excellent effect. As a result, children's learning continues to be enriched. The childminder acknowledges the importance of keeping up to date with current practice in order to optimise the experiences for children.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 162283 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 854254 Type of provision Childminder Registration category Childminder Age range of children 0 - 17 Total number of places 12 Number of children on roll 11

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Name of provider

Date of previous inspection 23 March 2011

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Telephone number

The childminder was registered in 2001 and lives in Bishops Stortford. She operates all year round from 7am to 7pm, Monday to Friday, except for bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder has a relevant childcare qualification at level 3. She works with an assistant.

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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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