Childminder in Hertfordshire

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 30 March 2015 23 June 2009

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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

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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

 Children are extremely capable, resourceful and expert problem solvers. For example, they discover how to use toy binoculars and telescopes. The timely interactions of the childminder enhances their learning even further, meaning that the quality of teaching is superb. As a result, children make rapid progress and are incredibly well prepared for the next stage in their learning.  The childminder forms exceptional, warm and caring bonds with the children. She displays a heart-warming respect and love for them, which they eagerly reciprocate. As a result, children show high levels of self-confidence in activities and absolutely thrive in her care.  The childminder's infectious sense of fun highly motivates children to learn. For example, she uses her lively voice to sing children their favourite songs and nursery rhymes. They begin to learn new words and have immense pleasure re-enacting the rhymes using their bodies and a wealth of soft toys.

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This provision is outstanding

 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. Safeguarding procedures are fully understood and the childminder regularly updates her training in this crucial area of practice.  Relationships with parents and other settings where children attend are exceedingly productive. This means that the childminder is able to capitalise upon a diverse range of knowledge and resources to help children to excel in their learning and make the best possible progress.  The inspirational childminder uses self-evaluation as a powerful tool for improvement. She is relentless in her pursuit of excellence and drives forward improvements with a strong commitment to maintaining the highest quality provision. Her meticulous implementation and monitoring of the educational programmes ensures children's

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This provision is outstanding

needs are swiftly identified and exceptionally well met at all times.

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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 embed children's understanding of the world, for example, by offering additional first-hand experiences to further enrich their understanding of life-cycles.

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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 adults who live at the premises, 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 online prior to the inspection.

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who attend. This is outstanding

The childminder proactively identifies the next steps in children's learning through her pertinent observations and accurate assessments. She invests a considerable amount of time with parents to establish detailed information of children's starting points, interests and preferences. She uses this information exceedingly well. Consequently, children settle very quickly and become confident and inquisitive learners from a very early age. The childminder's excellent attention to children's emerging language motivates them to begin linking words together. Therefore, they make exceptional progress in their communication and language skills. Children's concentration and coordination is significantly enhanced as they work out how to peel and position stickers onto their Easter eggs. Frequent and timely outings to local farms and garden centres enable children to gain an excellent understanding of the world. For example, they observe chicks hatching from their eggs.

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who attend. This is outstanding

These outings inspire children to talk about and make sense of life-cycles. The childminder has identified further opportunities to embrace children's curiosity. She plans to source some frogspawn to enrich children's understanding of growth and life-cycles.

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outstanding

The childminder's interactions with children show that she thoroughly enjoys spending time with them. She is an excellent role model and provides children with very clear consistent boundaries. 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 to dress themselves from an early age and demonstrate a real sense of responsibility, as they help to set up and tidy away activities. Children's self-esteem is promoted exceptionally well. This is because they receive frequent praise and encouragement from the childminder. Children have superb opportunities to take part in physical exercise in the fresh air. They also develop an excellent understanding of how to keep themselves safe near water. This is because the childminder talks to them about safety when they go swimming.

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provision is outstanding

The childminder has an exemplary understanding of the requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage. She 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 childminder is influential within the local childminding community. She organises training in partnership with the local children's centre and supports other childminders to develop their practice. The childminder continues to improve her knowledge and skills. She achieves this by thoroughly researching new initiatives online and attending regular training. As a result of recent training, the childminder has an in-depth knowledge of how to adapt her outstanding teaching methods to further support children's characteristics of effective learning.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY303357 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 856538 Type of provision Childminder Registration category Childminder Age range of children 1 - 3 Total number of places 6 Number of children on roll 4

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Name of provider

Date of previous inspection 23 June 2009

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Telephone number

The childminder was registered in 2005 and lives in Bishops Stortford. The childminder provides funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children. The childminder operates all year round from 7.30am to 5.30pm, Monday to Wednesday, except for bank holidays and family holidays.

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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

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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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