Childminder in Hertfordshire

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 4 June 2015 2 March 2010

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This inspection: Outstanding 1

Previous inspection: Good 2 How well the early years provision meets the needs of the range of children who attend Outstanding 1

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This inspection: Outstanding 1

The contribution of the early years provision to the well-being of children Outstanding 1

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This inspection: Outstanding 1

The effectiveness of the leadership and management of the early years provision Outstanding 1

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This inspection: Outstanding 1

The setting meets legal requirements for early years settings

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This provision is outstanding

 Children are extremely motivated by the excellent enthusiasm and teaching skills of the childminder. She provides a broad range of rich, varied and imaginative experiences for children, which are based on their interests and individual learning needs.  The childminder places a strong focus on children's communication and language skills. She uses pictures to help younger children's understanding, she asks open-ended questions and ensures children are given time to respond. This helps children to become confident when talking and they make rapid progress in their learning and development.  Children's emotional and physical well-being are supported exceptionally well by the caring and nurturing nature of the childminder. This ensures children develop exceedingly close relationships with her.  The childminder places high priority on safeguarding children and provides children with a safe and secure environment. She is extremely confident about child protection

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This provision is outstanding

procedures, which protects children's welfare.  Children's learning and development is accurately checked by the childminder. She knows children very well. She sharply focuses her planning to meet individual children's needs through the use of observations, assessments and discussions with parents.  The childminder has highly effective partnerships with parents and they work together to meet children's needs. She also works closely with other professionals involved in children's lives, ensuring that their welfare and learning is highly supported.  The childminder has very high aspirations for both her own learning and that of all the children. She works extremely closely with parents and drives improvement to ensure she continues to develop her already excellent practice.

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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

 consider ways to make the best possible use of the outdoor area to promote children's awareness and use of numbers and letters.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector spoke with children and the childminder at regular intervals throughout the inspection.  The inspector accompanied the childminder and children on a walk to nursery. She also carried out a joint observation with the childminder during children's play.  The inspector took into account the views of parents and carers through their written comments provided in questionnaires.  The inspector checked evidence of the childminder's qualifications and the suitability of all adults that are living on the premises.  The inspector looked at children's records, policies and procedures and a range of other documentation, including assessment and planning.

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who attend. This is outstanding

Children are extremely well prepared for school because they take part in a broad range of learning experiences. This is complemented by the inspirational teaching of the childminder. She is very creative and highly motivated. This results in children thoroughly enjoying their learning. All children are excited to carry out an ice-painting activity. The childminder skilfully engages all children. She uses expressive language to communicate ideas and introduces new words to older children, such as marbling. The childminder expands on the activity by helping children to recall the melting process. Children confidently use mathematical language as they count and sort pom-poms during an interactive game made by the intuitive childminder. She is considering how to further improve her teaching by extending opportunities for children to see and use numbers and letters outdoors. Younger children love discovering how to successfully use tongs to pick

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who attend. This is outstanding

up the pom-poms. They place these into tubes and watch in wonder and delight as the pom-poms reappear. This supports their physical skills and aids their small-muscle skills. This is important for the development of their handwriting skills. Outside, children love planting, playing with sand and exploring the extremely well-resourced mud kitchen.

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outstanding

Children benefit from the comfortable and exceptionally well-resourced play areas. They enjoy exploring the wonderful array of resources that are provided within the extremely stimulating environment. Children particularly love showing visitors the childminder's tortoise. Older children confidently explain the reasons why they need to wash their hands after they have handled or fed the pet. This shows they have a secure awareness about personal hygiene and are protected from any possible cross-infection. Children learn to manage their own self-care during routines to develop their independence. All children demonstrate very friendly behaviour and show that they understand the clear rules and boundaries set by the childminder. They are highly praised for their achievements and for helping with tasks. The childminder provides ample opportunities for children to play outside and to grow vegetables in the garden, which promote their good health.

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provision is outstanding

The childminder demonstrates an excellent understanding of the learning and development and the safeguarding requirements. She implements rigorous methods to ensure the safety of all the areas that are used by children. The childminder highly values continuous training and the positive impact this brings to her practice. For example, she is more reflective about the activities that she provides and continually seeks new ideas to extend children's learning. The childminder has a clear plan for her professional development, in order to drive future improvements. She robustly evaluates her practice and proactively acts on feedback from parents and children. The childminder has comprehensive policies and procedures in place, which support her in providing outstanding care and learning for children.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY304206 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 861837 Type of provision Childminder Registration category Childminder Age range of children 0 - 17 Total number of places 6 Number of children on roll 6

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Name of provider

Date of previous inspection 2 March 2010

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Telephone number

The childminder was registered in 2005 and lives in Bushey, near Watford. She operates all year round from 7am 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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