Childminder in Hertfordshire

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 21 April 2015 24 March 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 keeps children safe, because she has a good understanding of how to protect them from harm. She successfully identifies and minimises potential risks to children. She has a secure understanding of child-protection procedures.  The childminder has a childcare qualification. She recognises the different ways in which children learn and knows how to address their individual needs. Teaching is therefore good. The childminder provides a wide range of learning experiences that are purposeful and inspire children to learn in a fun environment.  Children have a lovely rapport with the childminder, because she is kind and very caring towards them. As a result, they form secure attachments and feel safe in her care. This has a significantly positive impact on their emotional well-being.  The play equipment in the garden provides children with a wealth of opportunities to practise their climbing and balancing skills. They learn about life cycles as they watch

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This provision is good

young bees emerging from the bee house. Children enjoy feeding the family guinea pigs and rabbits. They delight in, and benefit from being outdoors in the fresh air.  The childminder is a good role model. She has high expectations and provides clear guidance about acceptable behaviour. Children behave well, because she teaches them about sharing and taking turns.

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It is not yet outstanding because:

 When children choose to play and learn outside, the childminder does not support them as effectively to build on their growing interest in letters and numbers.  The childminder does not fully maximise opportunities to raise the already good-quality teaching and learning to outstanding through targeted professional development and training.

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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

 build on children's interest in letters and numbers, for example, by providing opportunities for them to see, refer to and use letters and numbers when they choose to play outside in the garden  strengthen professional development plans to identify areas on which to focus further training, in order to achieve outstanding practice.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector viewed all areas used by children.  The inspector observed the childminder playing and interacting with the children.  The inspector spoke to the childminder and children throughout the inspection as appropriate.  The inspector looked at planning documentation and children's assessment records.  The inspector looked at a sample of records and policies relating to children's welfare, and health and safety. She also checked evidence of the suitability of the childminder and other adults living at the premises.  The inspector took account of the written views of the parents and carers included in the childminder's documentation.

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who attend. This is good

Children are motivated and readily engage in activities of their choice to initiate their own learning. They enjoy playing with the plentiful resources available to them. Children of all ages make good progress as result of the childminder's individual attention. She interacts with children as they play, developing their speech and teaching them new vocabulary. Children learn to use words of position as they travel over, under and through a rainbow they have made by draping coloured strips of paper across the playroom. The childminder helps children to count as they play and during routine activities, such as snack. Children have many opportunities to develop their physical skills. They are able to fill containers and pour water through funnels, demonstrating good coordination. The childminder teaches them to think critically, for example, by asking why the water level in the tray is going down as they play. In addition, attendance at local toddler groups enables children

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who attend. This is good

to learn how to be sociable with other children. The childminder teaches children about diversity and the wider world through exploring cultural events. These valuable skills support children's future learning in readiness for school. However, the childminder does not promote children's learning quite as effectively when they are playing in the garden. This is because they are given fewer opportunities to build on their growing literacy and number skills there.

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good

The childminder constantly praises the children. This boosts their confidence and self- esteem, and provides them with a sense of achievement. The childminder places a high priority on children's personal, social and emotional development. She monitors their progress in these areas very carefully to ensure they are all reaching their individual goals. The children use their self-help skills effectively. They put on their own coats and shoes and use the bathroom independently. The childminder promotes good hygiene procedures, which the children follow well. Children learn about healthy lifestyles and how to keep themselves safe. Positive, written feedback demonstrates parents' high regard for the childminder and the dedicated care she offers.

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provision is good

The childminder's understanding of her responsibilities in meeting the requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage is good. Her documentation and records are well organised. She reflects on her service to identify strengths and areas for further development. She completes essential training. For example, she regularly refreshes her safeguarding knowledge and ensures that she has an up-to-date qualification in paediatric first aid. She meets regularly with other childminders to share information and ideas. However, the childminder does not yet reflect on her personal training needs, to help her to achieve outstanding practice in teaching. The childminder develops good partnerships with parents and other settings that children attend to enable the frequent sharing of information. This effectively promotes a consistent approach towards children's care and learning.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 130410 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 871001 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 24 March 2011

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Telephone number

The childminder was registered in 1999 and lives in Watford. She operates all year round, from 7am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, except for bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder holds a childcare 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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