Childminder in Hertfordshire

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 9 March 2015 10 January 2011

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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

 The childminder assesses children's development and provides a good range of challenging experiences that meet their individual learning needs. Consequently, children make good progress in all areas and are equipped well for future learning at nursery or school.  Children's mathematical understanding is developing well. This is because the childminder gently introduces numbers and counting through books, songs and daily activities.  The childminder takes children to a variety of toddler groups and outings within the local community, to develop their social skills and to widen their experiences.  Parents share important care information with the childminder as they start to use her service. This helps her to understand and effectively meet each child's individual development needs.  The childminder is confident about her role in safeguarding children. She is aware of the action to take and whom to contact should she have any concerns regarding

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This provision is good

children's welfare. This enables her to promote children's well-being effectively.

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It is not yet outstanding because:

 There is scope to enhance children's early information technology skills even more, by ensuring that all the toys available to them are in working order.  The childminder does not always maximise training opportunities to update her good knowledge and practice, to promote the highest levels of teaching and learning.

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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

 enhance the already good information technology opportunities available to children, for example, by regularly checking that all the toys are in working order  strengthen the already good knowledge of early years practice, for example, by identifying further training opportunities to promote even higher standards of teaching and learning.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector observed the childminder engaging in activities with children and talked with her about children's learning.  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 the suitability of the household members and a range of other documentation, including the safeguarding policy.  The inspector took account of information from parents as recorded in written documents and of the childminder's self-evaluation form.

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who attend. This is good

The quality of teaching is good because the childminder provides a range of activities which effectively challenge children. She ensures children have free access to a range of toys and resources which are of interest to them. For example, young children are excited to press buttons on play computers, which is an effective way of introducing children to early technology. However, some of the toys the children choose to use do not work. On occasions, this interrupts children's learning and they discard the toys on the floor. The childminder choose themes which are of interest to the children, such as farm animals. Children enjoy playing with the toy animals in the hay and they spend a great deal of time carefully picking up porridge oats to feed to them. The childminder develops their knowledge of the world even more by arranging visits to the local farm. The childminder regularly observes and assesses children's learning. This includes the mandatory progress

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who attend. This is good

check for children between the age of two and three years. She shares these assessments with parents and this ensures continuity in children's learning.

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good

Children have positive relationships with the childminder and they clearly enjoy the time they spend with her. Their behaviour is generally good. The childminder teaches children about expected behaviour through the use of consistent messages and clear boundaries. The older children are kind and considerate to the younger ones. For example, they help them with their shoes as they go outside. The childminder meets children's individual dietary needs as she provides healthy snacks and encourages parents to provide healthy meals. Children are taught to follow good hygiene practices as they wash their hands at appropriate times. There are many opportunities for children to develop their physical skills outdoors. This is because the childminder encourages outdoor play or takes children to the local park on a daily basis. The childminder has established effective partnerships with parents. Written feedback is very positive and parents are very happy with the quality

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good

of care and education their children receive.

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provision is good

The childminder has a secure knowledge of how to keep children safe. She continually reviews risks in the environment and on outings. The childminder regularly reflects on her practice, which helps her to maintain the good standards of care and education she provides for the children. For example, she is currently reflecting on how to develop further areas in her garden. The childminder undertakes some training to refresh her knowledge. For example, she attends the required first-aid course and this leads to increased knowledge of how to respond to accidents and emergencies. However, opportunities to complete further training, to ensure that she is constantly improving her good practice, are not always routinely sourced. She completes observations effectively and monitors her assessments of children. As a result, she identifies gaps in learning and ensures she effectively narrows them.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY265093 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 860637 Type of provision Childminder Registration category Childminder Age range of children 0 - 17 Total number of places 6 Number of children on roll 7

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Name of provider

Date of previous inspection 10 January 2011

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Telephone number

The childminder was registered in 2003 and lives in Stevenage. She operates all year round, from 7.30am to 5.30pm, Monday to Friday, except for bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder holds a relevant 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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