Childminder in Hertfordshire

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 14 May 2015 6 July 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 childminder effectively promotes young children's knowledge of the world. She provides them with a variety of toys, based on their interests and experiences. For example, as children play with a train and track, the childminder talks to them about family members who travel on trains.  Children are developing a love for books, as the childminder regularly shares stories with them. Children demonstrate a good understanding of how to gain information from the pictures, as they re-tell the stories to the childminder.  Children settle with the childminder and her family very well and have good attachments with them. The childminder is very caring and attentive to their needs. This enables the children to explore the environment with confidence.  The childminder takes account of the views of parents. Parents' written comments are positive about the care and activities the childminder provides, and the impact this has

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This provision is good

on children's development.  The childminder demonstrates a good 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 has not yet established working partnerships with all other early years settings that children attend, in order to further secure continuity in all children's learning and development.

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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 children's good learning even more, for example, by making contact with all other settings that children attend, to promote an even more consistent approach to their learning.

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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 and in the childminder's self-evaluation form.

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who attend. This is good

The quality of teaching is good because the childminder understands the stages of development of each child. She provides a range of activities which are of interest to the children. For example, the children enjoy playing with toy dinosaurs, and are excited when the childminder brings out a toy box. She supports children as they play and encourages them to compare and sequence the sizes, counting how many dinosaurs are in the line. The childminder uses visits to toddler groups to enable the children to have a wider range of experiences and to play with other children. These effective activities ensure children are developing the skills they need for moving on to nursery, and eventually to school. The childminder regularly observes and assesses children's learning and shares these with parents. Furthermore, the childminder gains information, through discussion or text messages, about what children have been doing and learning at home. However, the

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who attend. This is good

childminder has yet to build effective professional relationships with the other settings children attend.

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good

Children have formed secure attachments with the childminder and her family. As a result, they feel safe to explore their environment. The childminder gathers information about children's individual needs from parents, when she first starts caring for them. This helps her to cater for any special needs, such as dietary requirements. The childminder is aware of signs when children are becoming tired. She knows the routine they like to follow to settle them comfortably for sleep. The children enjoy sitting closely with the childminder to share books, especially stories she has adapted about the children, their special toys and her dog. The childminder supports children well to develop the skills that they need to adopt a healthy lifestyle. They are provided with nutritious snacks and meals each day. The children enjoy using the childminder's garden and nearby parks to have fun, as they run, explore and climb.

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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 good quality provision for children. She evaluates what is working and what she needs to improve. The childminder uses discussions with parents to seek their views on the service she offers. She sources appropriate professional development opportunities through accessing training and sharing with other childminders. For example, she speaks confidently about how her attendance on a course regarding using books with children, had a positive impact on her practice. The childminder monitors her teaching and children's progress regularly. This helps her to identify any gaps in learning and to effectively plan for children's next steps in their learning in all areas.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY255880 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 855957 Type of provision Childminder Registration category Childminder Age range of children 0 - 11 Total number of places 6 Number of children on roll 5

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Telephone number

The childminder was registered in 2003. She operates all year round from 7am to 6.15pm, Tuesday to Friday, 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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