Childminder 149200

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 9 June 2015 29 March 2011

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This inspection: Outstanding 1

Previous inspection: Outstanding 1 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

 Teaching is exceptional because the well-qualified childminder fully understands how children learn and expertly builds on their enthusiasm for learning. She accurately assesses their development and provides a rich range of exciting experiences that meet children's individual learning needs. Consequently, children make the best possible progress.  The childminder's partnerships with parents and children are admirable. When children have extended periods of absence from her setting, she stays in contact with them using cards, letters and visual internet contact. Consequently, children maintain exceptionally close attachments to her, promoting their emotional well-being.  The childminder develops exceptionally strong partnerships with parents and with other settings that children attend. She has a remarkably detailed approach towards sharing all aspects of children's learning and development with others. This means that the

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This provision is outstanding

childminder provides children with excellent continuity in their learning and development, enabling them to excel in all areas.  The childminder has planned her home to create an excellent environment for children to learn in. This promotes independence and helps children to engage in purposeful play. Children benefit from a vast range of play materials, indoors and outside, that maximise their learning and development.  Leadership is particularly strong and the childminder's commitment to continuous improvement is evident. She is extremely proactive in evaluating every activity with her co-childminder and consistently seeks and attends training. These measures ensure that children continue to benefit from very high-quality care.  The childminder has a thorough understanding and robust procedures relating to all aspects of safeguarding, including child protection and safety in the home. Consequently, children are protected.

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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 even more methods to help drive improvement, for example, by taking part in peer reviews with the co-childminder and seeking children's opinions by reviewing videos of activities with them.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector observed activities in the childminder's house and talked with the childminder, co-childminder and children at appropriate times throughout the inspection.  The inspector viewed the areas of the premises and garden used for childminding.  The inspector looked at a range of documentation, including policies, evidence of the suitability of household members, observation and assessment documentation, and safeguarding procedures.  The inspector discussed with the childminder the activities that had been carried out.  The inspector reviewed the childminder's self-evaluation record and other records of reflective practice.

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who attend. This is outstanding

The well-qualified childminder demonstrates a precise understanding of the learning and development requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage. Children's progress is rapid because she weaves new learning into all activities. Children eagerly select fruits and vegetables for an activity. Purposeful discussion with the childminder helps children to lead the activity. Children are delighted as they describe what they see, feel and taste. The childminder shows expert practice and, as a result, supports children's communication extremely well. Children use practical mathematics as they estimate size and weight, and calculate the number of pieces of fruit that they need. The childminder makes excellent use of probing questions and allows children time to consider what they want to say. Children are provided with books to take home and share with their parents. Parents record the success of such story books on their return. This plays a significant role in

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who attend. This is outstanding

advancing children's interest in literacy. The high-quality teaching and individually tailored activities help all children to make rapid progress in their learning. This ensures that they successfully acquire the skills necessary to move on to nursery or school.

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outstanding

The childminder plays a significant role in helping children to learn about the world around them. Children investigate the natural world, for example, through watching caterpillars turn into butterflies, and by choosing and planting fruits and vegetables. Children excitedly explore languages and celebrations together. The childminder and her co-childminder provide stimulating activities, such as closely following world sporting events during which time children choose a country to support. Through such activities, children become interested in languages, foods, flags and music from around the world. Children show advanced independence when dressing and undressing to go outdoors and washing their hands before meals. They demonstrate excellent behaviour when they sit together for meals and snacks and show their appreciation by thanking each other as they play.

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provision is outstanding

The childminder demonstrates an astute awareness of her responsibilities in meeting all requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage. She has introduced new initiatives to more closely observe British values. She explains these to parents and implements strategies for safeguarding linked to preventing radicalisation. Her programme of reflective practice plays a key role in helping her to meticulously monitor each child's progress. This ensures that the rapid progress of all children, including those who learn English as an additional language, is supported. The childminder has attended recent training to assist children when moving on to a new placement. This has broadened her already expert practice. She has identified that further analysis of her practice, together with the co- childminder, would continue to raise her already high standard of care for children. In addition, she has identified further opportunities to include children in reviewing the

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Setting details

Unique reference number 149200 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 854241 Type of provision Childminder Registration category Childminder Age range of children 0 - 17 Total number of places 6 Number of children on roll 12

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Name of provider

Date of previous inspection 29 March 2011

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Telephone number

The childminder was registered in 1971 and lives in Stevenage. She operates all year round from 7am to 7pm, Monday to Friday, except for bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder works with another registered childminder and provides childcare from her own home. She holds a recognised 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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