Childminder in Hertfordshire

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 6 March 2015 19 April 2012

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This inspection: Good 2

Previous inspection: Satisfactory 3 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 promotes children's mathematical knowledge very well. For example, she plans activities for children to sort objects into shapes and sizes. She provides weighing scales to develop their understanding of weight and measures, and introduces language, such as, 'even', 'heavier' and 'balance'.  The childminder's knowledge of safeguarding is secure. She has recently refreshed her safeguarding children and first-aid qualifications. This means that she responds to any concerns about children, or accidents they have, with up-to-date knowledge. The childminder consistently protects children's safety and welfare.  The childminder consistently nurtures children's confidence and self-esteem. She regularly tells children how 'clever' they are for completing an activity and how 'well behaved' they are being. Therefore, children feel very important and valued.  Partnerships with parents are strong. The childminder works closely with them to

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This provision is good

support children's individual needs. For example, she gives them suggestions of how they can support children's next steps at home, which promotes a good continuity of learning.  The childminder takes children to local toddler groups and arranges play dates with other childminders in the area. This helps to promote children's social skills and they develop good friendships with others.

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It is not yet outstanding because:

 At times, the childminder does not fully promote children's thinking skills.  The childminder does not routinely access training that is available to enhance her already good quality teaching.

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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 children's thinking skills further, for example, by giving them plenty of time to process the information that they see and hear, in order for them to decide what their response will be  enhance the already good quality teaching by targeting training in order to develop knowledge and understanding of how children learn even further.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector observed children taking part in a range of activities and spoke to the childminder and children at appropriate times throughout the inspection.  The inspector saw evidence of the suitability checks for the childminder and those persons over the age of 16 years living in the household.  The inspector looked at children's assessment records, policies and procedures.  The inspector conducted a joint observation with the childminder.  The inspector has taken account of the views of parents, as recorded in feedback forms provided by the childminder.

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who attend. This is good

The quality of the childminder's teaching is generally very good and children progress well towards the early learning goals. The childminder monitors children's progress and plans activities, such as threading and using tweezers to pick up objects, to support children to build the smaller muscles in their hands. This enables them to learn to hold and use pencils correctly, with control. These skills will eventually help children to be able to write, which prepares them for future learning in school. Children generally have good communication skills. The childminder engages them in conversations throughout play and encourages them to share their thoughts and opinions. However, there are occasions when the childminder does not give children sufficient time to think about what they want to say or do. Consequently, she does not consistently promote their thinking skills.

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good

Children have strong attachments with the childminder and feel secure in her care. They demonstrate this through their warm interactions with her and regularly seeking her to join in with their play. She supports children well during important changes in their lives. For example, the childminder attends settling-in sessions with children to support them to make the move to pre-school with confidence. She provides a learning environment, both indoors and outdoors, that has a wide selection of toys and resources. Children are able to access these independently and very much enjoy their time at the setting. The childminder effectively promotes children's health and well-being. She has a range of resources in her garden that she uses to help to develop children's physical skills, such as bikes and a large trampoline. Children have regular opportunities to play and exercise outside in the fresh air, including at nearby parks and during walks to the shops. The childminder discusses

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good

road safety with children during play. For example, she talks to them about the importance of wearing a seatbelt during small-world play with cars. This helps children to learn about how to keep themselves safe.

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provision is good

The childminder has a thorough knowledge of the Early Years Foundation Stage. This includes how to supervise an assistant and ensure that they have a good understanding of their responsibilities to promote children's learning and care needs. Her future plans include employing an assistant. She monitors the quality of her setting and encourages parents to share their feedback about how she can improve her service. For example, they have recently asked her to provide some written feedback about children's daily learning. The childminder has identified that she needs to attend more training courses about how children learn to enhance her already good standard of teaching even further. The childminder works in collaboration with professionals from other settings that children attend. She shares information about children's individual needs, which promotes a good continuity of learning and care.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY290053 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 877765 Type of provision Childminder Registration category Childminder Age range of children 0 - 17 Total number of places 6 Number of children on roll 14

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Name of provider

Date of previous inspection 19 April 2012

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Telephone number

The childminder was registered in 2004 and lives in Berkhamsted. She operates all year round from 7.30am to 6.30pm, Monday to Friday, except for bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder provides funded early education for three- and four-year-old children. She holds 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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