Childminder in Hertfordshire

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 14 May 2015 19 May 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

 Young children develop strong attachments and form close bonds with the childminder and their peers. The childminder promotes their personal, social and emotional development very well with spontaneous hugs and smiles, to which babies smile and giggle at happily. As a result, children demonstrate that they feel secure.  Children's progress and achievements are good, given their starting points and capabilities. Teaching is good, because, the childminder makes effective use of observations and assessments. As a result, she plans activities, which maintain children's interest for long periods.  Partnerships with parents and carers are good. Information sharing is thorough, because, the childminder promotes daily communication, to ensure that parents are involved in their children's learning. Consequently, children's learning and development is consistently encouraged.  The childminder promotes children's safety because she ensures that they are safe, in

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This provision is good

and out of the home. She completes regular risk assessments, keeps up to date with safeguarding training and meets the safeguarding and welfare requirements. As a result, she protects the children in her care.  The childminder fully encourages children's communication and language development through a range of planned and spontaneous activities. For example, young babies giggle excitedly as they make a range of sounds while playing with musical instruments.

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It is not yet outstanding because:

 Opportunities for children to explore and experiment with a range of sensory and exploratory materials are not maximised.  The childminder does not consistently provide the best possible opportunities for babies to extend their physical development, such as learning to stand and walk.

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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 opportunities for young children to make marks and explore a wider range of materials, for example, by experimenting more frequently, with paint and water  extend young children's physical development further, for example, by providing opportunities for them to pull up to a standing position, shuffle or walk.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector observed general play and the snack and lunchtime routines in the childminder's home. She talked with the childminder and children at appropriate times throughout the inspection.  The inspector looked at evidence of the suitability of the childminder and her family members. She also viewed the childminder's policies and procedures, and her first aid and safeguarding training certificates.  The inspector spoke with the childminder about the progress children make. She also viewed a child's learning profile.  The inspector discussed how the childminder reviewed and evaluated her setting to seek continuous improvement. She also viewed the childminder's self-evaluation.

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who attend. This is good

The childminder implements the Early Years Foundation Stage very well. She regularly observes children at play and using approved guidance, she is able to assess the good progress they make. The childminder ensures that children's next steps in learning are planned, so they develop the skills they need for their next stage of development. Activities are age and stage appropriate and engage young children for long periods of time, because, they are interesting. For example, they enjoy the feel of the different coloured balls as they skilfully pass them from hand to hand. They are confident to express themselves verbally and the childminder encourages this through repetition of her own words, to encourage their speech and language development. However, opportunities to feel and touch a range of media and material, such as art and craft activities, to extend their sensory development are less frequent. Young children have good opportunities to

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who attend. This is good

explore small world resources, as they develop their finer physical skills, and they competently transport items from one container to another. However, there are less opportunities to enhance babies emerging skills, such as standing and walking, because, the childminder provides a limited selection of resources that encourage these skills.

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good

The childminder knows the children very well and they spend their time happily in her care. She is quick to identify their needs and promotes their emotional well-being very well. For example, after a nap, children are given a cuddle for reassurance before they are encouraged to join in with further activities. They giggle happily as the childminder introduces a spontaneous game of peek-a-boo by hiding behind a container. The children quickly copy this, demonstrating that they feel comfortable in her care. The childminder provides a good range of healthy food, and she encourages young children to try new tastes, such as raw vegetables at mealtimes. Consequently, children develop healthy lifestyles. The childminder provides a warm and welcoming environment where children are encouraged to be independent.

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provision is good

The childminder is vigilant and protects the children she cares for. She completes regular child-protection training to ensure that she is aware of current legislation. She has a clear understanding of the procedure to be followed if she has concerns, and she is aware of the signs and symptoms of abuse. The childminder has a range of well-written policies and procedures that she shares with parents to promote consistency. She completes daily diaries and captures special moments with photographs that she then sends to parents. Through regular self-evaluation the childminder is able to identify her strengths and areas for improvement. She attends relevant training courses to updated her knowledge, and receives parental feedback and written questionnaires, which enable her to make improvements. Consequently, she promotes continuous professional development, which has a positive impact on children overall.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY402247 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 850421 Type of provision Childminder Registration category Childminder Age range of children 0 - 17 Total number of places 3 Number of children on roll 1

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Telephone number

The childminder was registered in 2009. She operates from 9am until 3pm, Monday to Friday, term time only, 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

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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