Childminder in Hertfordshire

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 12 March 2015 17 March 2010

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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 is very skilled at supporting children during important changes in their lives. For example, she has successful systems in place to enable children to settle into her setting with confidence. This effectively promotes children's emotional well-being.  The quality of teaching is good. The childminder plans fun activities and children progress well towards the early learning goals. For example, children enjoy a play dough activity using a range of resources to make cupcakes. They use age-appropriate knives to cut the play dough, which enables them to learn how to use tools safely.  The childminder fosters children's independence skills very well. For example, when a younger child tries to do up a strap on the doll's pushchair, the childminder allows them plenty of time to try by themselves. This allows children to feel a sense of achievement.  The childminder has a good knowledge of child protection procedures. She understands

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This provision is good

her responsibilities well and protects children's safety and welfare at all times.  Partnerships with parents are strong. The childminder and parents regularly share their observations of children's learning in the setting and home. They devise strategies together to support children's progress, which ensures a good continuity of learning.  The childminder supports children to learn about how they can contribute to their own safety and good health. For example, she talks to them about what they need to wear during hot and sunny weather. Children know that they need to wear sunglasses and sun cream, so 'they will not burn'.

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It is not yet outstanding because:

 There are occasions where the childminder does not always encourage children's use of good manners.  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

 enhance children's understanding of good behaviour by consistently reminding them of the expectations and modelling how to use good manners  enhance the already good quality teaching by targeting training, in order to develop knowledge and understanding of how children learn even further, so that children's learning and progress are extended to the very optimum.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector observed children taking part in a range of activities and spoke with the childminder and children at appropriate times throughout the inspection.  The inspector saw evidence of the suitability checks for the childminder.  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 reference letters provided by the childminder.

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who attend. This is good

The childminder supports children to develop their language skills well and engages them in conversations throughout their play. For example, she encourages them to recall past events and uses photographs displayed in her setting to stimulate their memory. The childminder gives children time to share their thoughts and values what they have to say. She models to them how to listen when someone else is talking. This helps children to learn how to communicate with others in preparation for when they move onto school. The childminder works with professionals from other settings where children attend. She shares information with them about children's individual needs, which promotes a continuity of learning and care. The childminder uses an online system to record children's assessments, which parents can access at any time. She regularly observes children's play and identifies appropriate next steps in learning to ensure their continued good progress.

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good

Children have high self-esteem because the childminder praises them when they do something well. This makes them feel important and loved. Children play and exercise outside in the fresh air several times a day. The childminder does not drive, so they walk to and from school, nursery and group activities. She has a large garden with a range of toys for children to play with, including a trampoline, which helps them to develop their physical skills. This contributes to children's good health. The childminder provides a range of nutritious meals and snacks. She encourages children to engage in conversations during mealtimes, which promotes their social skills. Generally, the childminder promotes children's good behaviour well. She encourages them to play cooperatively and talks to them about taking turns with each other. However, at times, the childminder does not always remind children to say 'please' when they ask for something. Therefore, they do

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good

not consistently learn what is expected of them.

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provision is good

The childminder has a good understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage and implements it well. She effectively monitors the quality of her setting and evaluates areas of teaching and practice that she would like to develop. For example, the childminder would like to create home learning resources to enable parents to further support children's learning. This demonstrates the childminder's commitment to continuously improving her setting to benefit the children in her care. The childminder has recently refreshed her first-aid qualification and has plans to complete safeguarding training imminently. This has a positive impact on children's welfare because the childminder responds to their accidents with up-to-date knowledge. However, she does not routinely make best use of available training to further extend her already good knowledge of how children learn. Therefore, the childminder does not always maximise opportunities to

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provision is good

enhance the quality of her teaching, in order to promote children's learning to the very optimum.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY305748 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 861875 Type of provision Childminder Registration category Childminder Age range of children 0 - 17 Total number of places 6 Number of children on roll 4

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Name of provider

Date of previous inspection 17 March 2010

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Telephone number

The childminder was registered in 2005 and lives in Watford. She operates all year round from 7.30am to 6.30pm, Wednesday to Friday, except for bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder provides funded early education for two-, three- and four-year- old children. The childminder 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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