Childminder in Hertfordshire

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 15 May 2015 9 November 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 has good teaching skills as she has secure understanding of how children learn. She plans interesting and exciting experiences that promote children's learning, and they engage in play for sustained periods of time from an early age. As a result, children progress well towards the early learning goals in readiness for school.  The childminder supports children very well during the settling-in period. Her caring nature helps children to feel comfortable while in her care. The childminder gains a wealth of knowledge from parents about children's interests and care routines. This allows her to support children to make a smooth transition into their new surroundings. This promotes children's emotional well-being.  The childminder has a strong knowledge of safeguarding and child protection procedures. She fully understands her responsibility to report any concerns that she may have about children's welfare. The childminder carefully risk assesses the trips and

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This provision is good

outings that she provides and as a result, children are consistently kept safe from harm.  The childminder regularly takes children to toddler groups in the local area and plans group activities with another childminder. This enables children to play with a wide range of other children, which helps to develop their social skills.

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It is not yet outstanding because:

 The childminder does not consistently use a wide vocabulary, such as descriptive words or mathematical language, when talking to young children.  The childminder does not always offer parents of the younger children ideas to support their learning at home, in order to promote highly successful partnerships.

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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

 extend the use of a wide vocabulary, for example, by using descriptive words or mathematical language when commenting during play, so that children develop stronger language skills from an early age  enhance partnerships with parents even further by providing all parents, including those with young children, with activity ideas of how they can further support children's learning at home.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector observed children taking part in a range of activities and spoke with the childminder and children at appropriate times throughout the inspection.  The inspector saw evidence of the suitability checks for the childminder and those persons over the age of 16 years living in the household.  The inspector looked at children's assessment records, policies and procedures and the childminder's self-evaluation form.  The inspector conducted a joint observation with the childminder.  The inspector has taken account of the views of parents, as recorded in reference letters provided by the childminder.

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who attend. This is good

Children enjoy exploring the wide range of sensory and natural resources that the childminder provides. For example, they delight in feeling the different textures of sponges, feathers and gloop. The strong, exploratory instincts that children develop enables them to be inquisitive, and provides them with some of the skills they require for future learning. The childminder generally promotes children's communication and language development well. She makes comments during play and regularly reads to children. However, the childminder does not always use a wide range of words when talking to young children, in order to promote their use of language. For example, she does not count objects or actions during play. In addition, the childminder plans a range of sensory activities but does not consistently use words to describe the objects or their texture. Generally, partnerships with parents are good. The childminder sends monthly

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who attend. This is good

newsletters to parents and gives them suggestions of how the learning of older children can be extended. However, she does not consistently encourage the parents of younger children to promote their learning at home, such as reading stories to them.

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good

Partnerships with parents are strong, in relation to how the childminder promotes children's emotional well-being and care needs. She works closely with them to support children to be confident learners. Her consistent praise raises children's self-esteem. The childminder promotes children's good health. She provides a balanced and varied diet for children to enjoy, taking into account their ideas for meals. Children have daily opportunities to play outside in the fresh air. They benefit from exploring the large field next to the childminder's home . This allows children to run around and exercise in large open spaces. The childminder regularly takes younger children to soft-play centres to develop their larger muscles. As a result, children develop good physical skills from an early age.

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provision is good

The childminder has a good understanding of her responsibilities to implement the Early Years Foundation Stage. She regularly attends network meetings with other childminders in the local area, in order to keep up to date with current information. Training has a positive impact on children's learning, as the childminder uses the knowledge she gains to enhance the quality of her teaching, and the activities that she plans. For example, at a recent training course, the childminder learnt the importance of providing a range of natural and household resources for children to freely explore from an early age. The childminder evaluates the quality of her teaching and practice. She is keen to regularly attend training courses, in order to extend her knowledge even further. The childminder demonstrates a strong commitment to continuous improvement. She works closely with other settings where children attend, which promotes good continuity of learning and

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY420758 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 852143 Type of provision Childminder Registration category Childminder Age range of children 0 - 17 Total number of places 6 Number of children on roll 7

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Name of provider

Date of previous inspection 9 November 2011

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Telephone number

The childminder was registered in 2011 and lives in Hemel Hempstead. She operates all year round from 8am to 6pm, Monday 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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