Childminder in Hertfordshire

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 19 May 2015 31 October 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

 Children enjoy being creative with art and craft materials. They use precise detail as they paint butterfly pictures. The children actively talk to the childminder about what they are doing, giving reason for their actions by using words such as otherwise.  The childminder promotes young children's knowledge of the world very well. For example, she takes children on bug hunts. She follows this experience up with effective activities, and provides a range of story and reference books to complement children's learning.  Children are developing a good understanding of having a healthy lifestyle. They understand the need to eat healthy food, to help them grow strong. As they tidy up they talk about being able to pick up larger objects as they have strong muscles.  Children show care and concern for each other and good friendships are evident. For example, as older children return from nursery, the younger ones excitedly introduce

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This provision is good

them to visitors, and all children play and chat together extremely well.  The childminder has established strong partnerships with parents. Through the use of written documentation, thank you cards and questionnaires, parents express their very high levels of satisfaction with the care and education that the childminder provides.  The childminder demonstrates an excellent 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 make the best use of the partnership with other providers where children attend.

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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 and development even more, by strengthening the partnerships with other providers that children attend, so that precise information about children's achievements and next steps in learning is shared.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector observed the childminder engaging in activities with the children, and at appropriate times, 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 the parents as recorded in written documents.

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who attend. This is good

The quality of teaching is good. The childminder provides fun, high-quality learning experiences for children, both indoors and outside. She effectively links activities around current topics. For example, after looking for bugs in the garden, the childminder shares stories with the children about caterpillars. She is skilled at giving children time to look at each page of the book, and talk about what is happening in the picture. Together, they join in with refrains in favourite stories, which help children to develop early reading skills. As a result, children are highly motivated and are developing the key skills for the next stage of their learning, such as at school. The childminder regularly carries out precise and detailed observations and assessments. Her planning is sharply focused, and effectively supports all children's individual learning needs.

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good

Children are very happy and relaxed in this welcoming home. They chat constantly and their use of language is superb. They are extremely welcoming and invite others to join in their play. The children's behaviour is very good, as the childminder explains the reasons for sharing the toys. She 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 discuss their favourite foods, most of which are fruit and vegetables. The childminder promotes children's independence skills, as they peel their own fruit and put on their shoes by themselves. Children follow good hygiene practices, as they wash their hands at appropriate times. The childminder ensures that children have access to the outdoors everyday. They use the garden or visit local parks or farms. These visits enable children to have fun and provide wonderful opportunities for running, exploring and

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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 a good quality provision for children. She evaluates what is working and what she needs to improve. The childminder sources appropriate professional development opportunities, through accessing training courses. For example, she has recently undertaken training on the topic of early mathematics. The positive impact this has had on her practice is evident, as she carefully models mathematical language in her conversations with children. She monitors the activities she provides and children's progress, this ensure any gaps in early are quickly identified, and strategies are put in place to narrow them. The childminder is aware of the need to form positive working relationships other settings that children attend. For example, she takes account of the

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provision is good

topics that children are learning in nursery, by planning activities that complement these. However, more specific information relating to children's achievements in learning is not consistently shared, to further support their continuity of learning.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY254261 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 860397 Type of provision Childminder Registration category Childminder Age range of children 0 - 8 Total number of places 6 Number of children on roll 8

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Name of provider

Date of previous inspection 31 October 2011

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Telephone number

The childminder was registered in 2003. She operates all year round from 7.30am 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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