Childminder in Hertfordshire

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 22 April 2015 30 March 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

 The childminder demonstrates an excellent knowledge and understanding of how to protect the children in her care. Robust risk assessments, stringent safety measures and comprehensive safeguarding procedures ensure that children are kept safe.  The quality of teaching is outstanding, because the childminder has an exceptional knowledge of how young children learn and develop. She recognises the uniqueness of each child and provides high-quality, individualised learning experiences that successfully inspire them. Consequently, children are independent and active learners, exhibiting high levels of self-esteem and confidence.  Parents are fully engaged in their children's learning and development, as the childminder includes them in planning, and welcomes their contributions to their children's records. She regularly shares information about children's progress and seeks the parents' views on their children's next steps in learning. This means they work in

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This provision is outstanding

unison to fully support children's learning and development.  Children of all ages make rapid progress in their learning and development, because the childminder knows and understands their starting points extremely well. She completes comprehensive and detailed observations and assessments. The childminder takes into account the children's individual needs and interests when planning activities with them.  The childminder builds lovely relationships with the children and secure, caring attachments are evident. Children relate extremely well to her, chatting happily as they play. The youngest children seek her out if they feel unsure. Consequently, children's emotional needs are very well met.  The childminder has a clear professional action plan to drive future improvement. This forms part of a sharply focused review of strengths and areas for development to ensure practice is continually of the highest standard.

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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

 consider placing posters featuring letters and numbers at a lower level, so that children can readily see and interact with them, to further enhance their already excellent early literacy and numeracy skills.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector viewed all areas used by the 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 checked evidence of the childminder's suitability, training certificates and her self-evaluation and improvement plans.  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 outstanding

The childminder provides an excellent balance of organised and spontaneous activities, that fully include and engage children of different ages. For example, babies and children alike delight in exploring the texture and properties of a rich and interesting range of natural resources. Children's speech and language development is supported by the childminder exceptionally well. For example, she encourages older children to use descriptive words as they say what each object feels like. The childminder engages in purposeful conversation with children, as they play and responds enthusiastically when babies babble. Older children are given opportunities to extend their early numeracy skills, as they learn to add and take away balls of play dough. Babies develop their physical skills as they move freely around the playroom, exploring an excellent range of interactive toys. Consequently, children are continuously challenged, supporting them to become highly

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who attend. This is outstanding

motivated learners. They are extremely well prepared for school and the next stage in their learning. The childminder recognises that there is scope to enhance the development of early literacy and numeracy skills further, for example, by lowering posters in the playroom, so that the children can look at them more closely.

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outstanding

Children have access to regular outdoor play, exercise and fresh air. They benefit enormously from the childminder's well-organised garden. There is an excellent selection of equipment to support children to explore and develop across all areas of learning. The childminder is an exemplary role model for children. She provides clear guidance on expected behaviour and children understand the boundaries within the setting. Effective settling-in procedures help new children adjust to change in ways that suit them and their parents. The childminder places a very high priority on children's personal, social and emotional development. They regularly spend time socialising with other children at toddler groups, and during trips to farms and local parks. The childminder effectively promotes healthy eating, including children in food preparation and talking about the benefits of different food types. Children develop excellent self-help skills and are

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outstanding

independent in dealing with their personal needs.

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provision is outstanding

The well-qualified childminder is very organised, and the requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage are robustly implemented. She displays real passion which, combined with her experience, guarantees excellent outcomes for children. The childminder draws on the learning from her childcare qualification and in addition supplements her extensive knowledge by completing regular training. Following training courses, the childminder considers ways in which she can alter her practice to reflect what she has learnt. The childminder fosters excellent partnerships with other professionals and providers, to ensure consistency and a joined-up approach to children's learning and development. Parents' written comments are overwhelmingly positive.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY152325 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 1004930 Type of provision Childminder Registration category Childminder Age range of children 0 - 13 Total number of places 6 Number of children on roll 11

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Name of provider

Date of previous inspection 30 March 2009

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Telephone number

The childminder was registered in 2002 and lives in Bushey. She operates all year round, from 7am to 7pm, 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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