Childminder in Hertfordshire

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 15 May 2015 28 January 2009

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This inspection: Good 2

Previous inspection: Outstanding 1 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's use of the outdoor area is excellent. There are fantastic opportunities for children to learn in all areas. For example, they engage in imaginative play in the mud kitchen, and develop their knowledge of the world as they look at bugs in magnifying pots.  Children's independence skills are very good. The childminder encourages them to use child-friendly knives to prepare their fruit at snack times. Cupboards in the playroom are labelled well, which helps children to decide freely from the childminder's extensive range of resources.  The childminder supports children to understand and manage risks and, consequently, they develop skills in knowing how to keep themselves safe. For example, the childminder provides them with daily sheets that contain pictures of risks to check in the house and garden.  The childminder has established strong partnerships with parents. They use written

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This provision is good

documentation, thank-you cards and questionnaires to express their high levels of satisfaction with the care and education that the childminder provides.  Children have many opportunities to develop friendships and enjoy a wider range of activities, as the childminder regularly takes them on outings and to toddler groups.  The childminder demonstrates a strong 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 ensure that all adult-led activities are suitable for the younger children's stages of 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 experiences even further, for example, by providing a wider range of materials during adult-led learning, to support their developing creative skills.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector observed the childminder engaging in activities with children, and talked with her at appropriate times about their learning.  The inspector viewed the areas of the home and garden that are 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 of the childminder's self-evaluation form.

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who attend. This is good

The childminder's quality of teaching is good. She demonstrates a strong passion for, and commitment to, providing children with a stimulating, child-centred environment. Children engage in role play as they use pretend tools to imaginatively mend the floor. The childminder supports children and ensures there are enough resources available to enable them to play cooperatively. The childminder bases many of her activities on topics, such as a particular story. She generally uses these activities well to promote children's learning. For example, the childminder provides the fruit that was described in the story at snack time, and encourages children to count how many pieces they have. However, not all adult-led activities are appropriate for younger children. For example, they are given printed sheets to colour in. This limits open-ended experiences for children to enhance their creative and expressive skills. The childminder uses both spontaneous and planned

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who attend. This is good

observations to inform her assessments. Consequently, she ensures children make good progress, in preparation for their move to nursery or school.

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good

Children form strong, emotional attachments with the childminder. They settle quickly and are very happy and relaxed in her welcoming home. Children are very sociable and are confident to approach visitors and include them in their play. Children's behaviour is very good, which means they play and learn together well. The childminder supports children effectively to develop the skills that they need to adopt a healthy lifestyle. They are provided with nutritious snacks each day and parents provide healthy meals. Children demonstrate a good understanding of why they need to wash their hands at appropriate times. For example, they tell the childminder that they need to wash the germs off. The childminder's garden is used daily and there are many opportunities for children to use their large-muscle skills, for example, as they climb up the slide and use ride-on toys.

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provision is good

The childminder demonstrates a good understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage safeguarding requirements. She is confident about child protection procedures, which helps her to keep children safe. The childminder effectively monitors the educational programme and children's progress. She demonstrates a strong drive to continuously develop her practice. For example, she has plans to develop children's learning even further, by adding a growing area to her garden. The childminder attends training courses and accesses further training online. She ensures the courses are relevant to her practice. For example, she has recently undertaken training on supporting children aged between two and three years, as she cares for many children in this age range. This has enabled her to more effectively meet each child's individual needs. The childminder is developing good links with other early years settings that children attend, and they are beginning to

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provision is good

share information on children's development. These partnerships, along with the strong partnerships with parents, promote continuity in children's learning.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY256781 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 848397 Type of provision Childminder Registration category Childminder Age range of children 0 - 5 Total number of places 3 Number of children on roll 3

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Name of provider

Date of previous inspection 28 January 2009

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Telephone number

The childminder was registered in 2008. 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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