Childminder in Hertfordshire

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 15 June 2015 5 March 2012

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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 effectively uses her knowledge and experience, gained from obtaining a childcare qualification. As a result, teaching is good. She gives children time to explore, develop their own ideas and enjoy their play. Therefore, they are self- motivated to learn and they make good progress.  The childminder effectively uses knowledge gained from training, such as ensuring the settling-in process operates as smoothly as possible. During this time, she shares good information with parents about how children settle and react to change. This enables her to develop good attachments with children.  The childminder has good knowledge of safeguarding procedures. She knows how to quickly respond to any concerns about a child's welfare. Adults within the home are suitably vetted, and the childminder shares policies with parents. As a result, she effectively safeguards children.  The childminder knows children's routines and follows these to ensure children feel safe

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This provision is good

and secure in her care. She teaches children good hygiene routines and ensures they rest when needed.  Children are able to benefit from outdoor play all year round because the childminder has a covered outdoor area.

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It is not yet outstanding because:

 The childminder does not always extend and challenge older children's learning during activities, particularly when exploring mathematical ideas.  The childminder does not focus enough on evaluating her practice so that it is sharply focused to extend children's learning.

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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

 extend older children's mathematical skills further, for example, by exploring number in a variety of ways and situations  focus more on the quality of teaching when evaluating activities in order to decide what needs to be done to continually improve practice.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector observed activities indoors and in the garden. She also carried out a joint observation with the childminder.  The inspector spoke with the childminder, her co-childminder and children at convenient times throughout the inspection.  The inspector looked at children's development records, evidence of suitability of those living and working on the premises, and the childminder's training records.  The inspector took account of the views of parents and an older child from written feedback provided.

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who attend. This is good

Children enjoy their time with the attentive childminder, who has a gentle manner with them. She provides a good range of adult-led and child-initiated activities to support their learning. Children are able to freely explore and the childminder follows their lead, making sure that she supports the next steps in their learning. She provides a running commentary and praises children for the correct pronunciation of words. This helps younger children develop their language and understanding which supports their readiness for nursery or school. Children are encouraged to count and recognise numbers during routines. However, the childminder misses some opportunities to help extend older children's mathematical language, and understanding into a wider range of activities. The childminder makes good use of observation to assess children's progress across all areas of learning. She has a secure understanding of children's skills and regularly shares

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who attend. This is good

detailed information about children's progress with parents. This contributes to supporting children's learning at home.

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good

Children form good attachments with the childminder, who is caring and attentive to their needs. This enables children to confidently explore the environment. Children become confident learners because the childminder consistently praises them for their efforts during play and routines. In addition, she reinforces safety messages throughout the day. As a result, children develop an awareness of how to keep themselves safe and they behave well. The childminder helps children to lead an active and healthy lifestyle. For example, they love climbing and watering the plants they have grown. They help to wash fruit and enjoy eating these as part of their snack. As a result, children embrace outdoor play and enjoy eating healthy foods. Children learn to take risks in their play when they take part in physical activities at soft-play centres. This promotes their confidence and develops their social skills as they mix with others outside the setting.

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provision is good

The childminder demonstrates a secure understanding of the learning and development requirements. She is well qualified and continually reads articles related to child development and how children learn. She shares knowledge gained with her co- childminder and they implement new ideas gained. Since the last inspection, she has increased the imaginative play resources in the garden. The childminder works closely with her co-childminder to ensure that they continually attend training. Their overall practice is monitored by one another. However, this is not sharp enough to ensure teaching strategies consistently extend children's learning. The childminder works well with other settings children attend, such as nursery or pre-school. She shares their learning journals with them and talks to teachers about children's progress.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY358802 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 863571 Type of provision Childminder Registration category Childminder Age range of children 0 - 15 Total number of places 10 Number of children on roll 16

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Name of provider

Date of previous inspection 5 March 2012

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Telephone number

The childminder was registered in 2007. She lives in Bushey and works with her husband who is a registered childminder. She operates all year round from 7am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, except 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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