Childminder in Hertfordshire

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 14 May 2015 12 February 2009

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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 is a natural communicator with children. She understands how children learn and effectively uses her knowledge and experience gained from obtaining a childcare qualification. As a result, teaching is very good. Interesting experiences are planned, which support children's learning and captures their imagination.  Children have good attachments to the childminder, who is caring and attentive to their needs. This enables children to confidently explore the environment as their emotional well-being is very well supported.  Children behave well, and are keen to help tidy up and keep their environment safe and free from hazards.  The childminder is constantly reflecting on her practice and she attends regular purposeful training. She implements the knowledge gained including sharing new ideas with parents. This contributes to her being able to provide good quality care and teaching for the children placed with her.

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This provision is good

 The childminder has a good knowledge of safeguarding issues, and the procedures to follow should she have any concerns about the welfare of a child in her care. This results in, children being protected from potential harm.  Partnerships with parents are strong. They are well informed about their children's progress. For example, purposeful diaries are used and children's learning journals are regularly shared, so that the next steps in their development are identified.

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It is not yet outstanding because:

 The childminder has not explored opportunities for younger children to be able to express their thoughts, for example, by providing more pictures and photographs of familiar items and objects that they are interested in.

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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

 provide more opportunities for younger children to express themselves, for example, by using visual pictures of familiar items and objects, and have these displayed at a low level.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector observed the interactions between the childminder and the children.  The inspector discussed self-evaluation, training records, planning and children's learning with the childminder. She looked at a selection of children's records, planning information, suitability checks and qualification certificates.  The inspector carried out a joint observation with the childminder.  The inspector obtained the views of the parents from questionnaires which are used by the childminder.

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who attend. This is good

The childminder provides a wide range of resources, creating a rich, stimulating environment. As a result, children are happy, engaged and motivated to learn. The childminder plans fun, tailored activities to suit children's interests and the next stage in their learning. The childminder follows their lead during play. She provides a running commentary, and introduces new words during their imaginative tea party and game of shopping. This helps younger children develop their language and understanding, which supports their readiness for nursery or school. Children's understanding of early numeracy skills are supported through baking, sorting and counting items during their play. The childminder uses her home well to attractively display children's art work, such as pictures of a crab and octopus, which link into their interest about fish. The childminder has some posters to create topics for discussion. However, the use of these is not maximised. She

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who attend. This is good

has not considered extending younger children's learning even further by having pictures of items that they are interested in, displayed at a low level.

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good

Children are treated as part of the childminder's family. She is very attentive to children's needs. Lots of laughter takes place during activities and routines. The childminder expresses genuine affection towards children. She offers plenty of praise for their achievements and reinforces safety messages during their day. As a result, children develop good levels of self-esteem and an awareness of how to keep themselves safe. The childminder is sensitive to their needs. She recognises how events at home may affect the children's emotions and uses effective strategies to help children feel secure. Healthy lifestyles are promoted well, and mealtimes are sociable occasions. Children enjoy playing outdoors; they develop their physical skills, while running around, splashing in puddles and jumping on the trampoline. The children are taken on regular outings, which incorporate the current topic and children's interests. This means that they learn about the

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provision is good

The childminder demonstrates a secure understanding of the learning and development requirements. Observation and assessment systems are detailed and clearly show children's progress. The childminder has a secure understanding of the next steps in their learning. The childminder monitors children's progress and shares this with parents along with information about children's care routines. Effective planning results in, children having good learning opportunities throughout the day. The childminder has addressed all recommendations from her last inspection. She has updated all her policies and procedures, to ensure that they contain relevant legislation and they underpin her good practice. The childminder is aware of the importance of building positive partnerships with other providers where children also attend. This means that information about children is shared, so that there is continuity of care and learning.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY298186 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 872984 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 12 February 2009

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Telephone number

The childminder was registered in 2004. She operates all year round from 7am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, except for bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder has a relevant 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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