Carty, Clare

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 5 May 2015 24 January 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 quality of teaching is good because the childminder plans a range of topics that are relevant and interesting to the children. For example, she planned exciting activities around the theme of building as the builders started work on the extension to the house.  The childminder promotes young children's knowledge of the world very well. For example, she takes children on bug hunts. She follows this experience up with effective activities and provides a range of reference books to complement children's learning.  Children show care and concern for each other and good friendships are evident. For example, as older children return from nursery, the younger ones are excited and all children play and chat together extremely well.  The childminder works closely with parents to ensure that she has a wealth of knowledge about each individual child. This contributes to children feeling very settled and secure. Parents express their high levels of satisfaction with the care that the

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This provision is good

childminder provides.  The childminder demonstrates an excellent understanding of how to protect and safeguard children. Through the implementation of effective policies and procedures, she actively promotes children's safety and welfare.

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It is not yet outstanding because:

 The childminder does not always use all the information she gains from observations of children's communication skills in her good assessments of their 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 good assessments of children's learning even more, for example, by using all observations of children's language skills, to ensure that planning for their next steps in communication is maximised.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector observed the childminder engaging in activities with the children and discussed the learning that was taking place.  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 household members and a range of other documents, including the safeguarding policy.  The inspector took account of information from parents as recorded in written documents.

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who attend. This is good

The childminder ensures children have free access to a range of toys and resources that are of interest to them. For example, the younger children persevere at stacking and nesting different sizes of cups. Their engagement and concentration is high and they are very pleased to succeed. The older children are developing good writing skills as they proudly write the letters in their name. These good activities ensure children are developing the skills they need for moving on to nursery and school. The childminder regularly observes and assesses children's learning. However, she does not always make optimum use of the information she gains from spontaneous observations. For example, some information gained from observing children's conversations, is not always taken into account in her assessments of their communication and language skills.

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good

Children form strong, emotional attachments with the childminder. They settle quickly and, are very happy and relaxed in this welcoming home. Children of different ages play and learn together extremely well and their behaviour is very good. For example, the older children invite the younger children to join in their play. The childminder supports children well to develop the skills that they need to adopt a healthy lifestyle. They eat nutritious meals and snacks each day. Children learn to follow good hygiene practices as they wash their hands at appropriate times. The childminder's garden is currently out of use because of building work. However, she ensures that children have access to the outdoors each day by visiting local parks or farms. These visits enable children to have fun and provide wonderful opportunities for running, exploring and climbing. Children have many opportunities to develop social skills. For example, the childminder takes them to toddler

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good

groups and they meet regularly with other childminders and their children.

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provision is good

The childminder has a secure knowledge of how to keep children safe. She regularly reviews risks in the environment and on outings. The childminder is committed to promoting a good quality provision for children. She evaluates what is working well and what she needs to improve. For example, she is currently having structural changes made to her home in order to extend her playroom. The childminder uses questionnaires with parents and with older children to seek their views on the service she offers. She is well qualified and sources appropriate professional development opportunities, attending training courses and meeting with other childminders, to discuss practice and to share ideas. These activities have a positive impact on her practice. She regularly checks children's progress through her assessments of their learning and she regularly shares these with parents. The childminder has built effective, professional relationships with all

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provision is good

providers of the Early Years Foundation Stage where children attend. As a result, consistency of learning is optimised.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY305102 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 856574 Type of provision Childminder Registration category Childminder Age range of children 0 - 11 Total number of places 6 Number of children on roll 7

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Name of provider

Date of previous inspection 24 January 2010

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Telephone number

The childminder was registered in 2005. She operates all year round from 7.30am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, except for bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder holds a relevant qualification at level 3. The childminder provides funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children.

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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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