Childminder in Hertfordshire

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 11 June 2015 25 March 2010

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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

 The childminder expertly assesses children's skills, accurately identifies their starting points and next steps in development. She astutely works with other settings that children attend. As a result, children develop beyond their expected age range.  Teaching is outstanding, because children learn through play and participate in activities that are accurately challenging. For example, children weigh dry rice using scales, critically thinking and problem solving as they have fun and develop numeracy skills.  Educational programmes are inspirational. The childminder skilfully plans a wide range of opportunities for children to develop skills across all areas of learning. For example, children enjoy story time, acting out stories and creating props. As a result, they develop skills towards their readiness for school.  The childminder expertly involves parents in children's care. Excellent partnerships with

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This provision is outstanding

them fully contribute to children's well-being. As a result, children settle quickly and are happy and comfortable with the childminder.  The childminder skilfully introduces children to healthy lifestyles by providing them with home-made meals, excellent outdoor experiences and exercise. Furthermore, she competently teaches them to manage their personal needs. As a result, children thrive.  The childminder participates in child protection training and confidently knows how to safeguard children. She documents all aspects of children's care and education, in detail to ensure their safety is supported and protected at all times.  The highly qualified childminder, who is a former nurse, skilfully leads childminding networks, training and consultancy services. Additionally, she astutely involves her co- childminder, assistant and parents in maintaining the proficient reflective practice. As a result, children's outcomes are exceptionally well promoted.

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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

 continue to enhance the very effective strategies to engage parents in children's education, by obtaining from them even more detailed information about children's home learning to continuously boost the already excellent support they have.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector observed children at play and interacted with them during the inspection. She held discussions with the childminder, co-childminder and assistant at appropriate times throughout the inspection.  The inspector observed and evaluated an activity with the childminder.  The inspector looked at children's assessment records and planning documentation. She reviewed evidence of the childminder, co-childminder and assistant's suitability, and also looked at a range of other documents, including the safeguarding policy.  The inspector took account of the views of the parents, through discussions with them during the inspection, questionnaires and reference letters.  The inspector reviewed the childminder's self-evaluation procedures and discussed how she monitors her services for children.  The inspector viewed the indoor and outdoor play areas.

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who attend. This is outstanding

The childminder has an excellent understanding of the learning and development requirements, and expertly implements them in practice. She skilfully analyses children's skills and interests, in order to efficiently promote their learning. The childminder has innovative strategies to involve parents in children's education. She expertly shares with them all aspects of children's progress, enabling them to extend children's learning at home. However, there is scope to further expand on these strategies to ensure she obtains even more detailed information about children's home learning. The dedicated childminder immaculately resources play areas, both indoors and outdoors. Furthermore, children participate in outings, which fully complement their learning. For example, they visit farms, zoos, playgrounds and parks. Additionally, children also visit the seaside, castles and museums, which fully support their learning about the world. The childminder

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who attend. This is outstanding

has a wealth of knowledge and children flourish in her care.

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outstanding

The childminder expertly supports children's well-being. She is very attentive towards them and fully promotes their emotional development. As a result, children develop very strong bonds with her. Children's behaviour is exceptionally well managed. The childminder sets adequate boundaries and appropriately explains to children what is right and wrong. She celebrates their achievements, good behaviour and ideas with enthusiastic praise, proficiently boosting their confidence and self-esteem. Children cooperatively play with peers, learn to respect others and the environment. Additionally, the childminder skilfully teaches them to care for their own and other's safety. For example, older children are mindful and helpful towards their younger peers as they explore climbing frames. The childminder skilfully enthuses children about the experiences awaiting for them at school. As a result, they are emotionally ready to confidently start school.

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provision is outstanding

The childminder inspiringly promotes the safeguarding and welfare requirements. Therefore, children benefit from excellent opportunities to learn and develop skills in a safe environment. The childminder knowledgeably assesses her house and outings to minimise risks so children can play safely. She skilfully shares policies and procedures with parents, fully involving them in her practice to secure the effective management of her services. The childminder expertly involves her co-childminder and assistant in monitoring the quality of teaching and children's learning. They precisely conduct the progress check for children aged between two and three years, and regularly track their overall achievements. The childminder has strong links with children's centres and the local authority, enabling her to promptly support children's needs. She is dedicated and invests in training to ensure children have the highest standards of care and education.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY309822 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 848982 Type of provision Childminder Registration category Childminder Age range of children 0 - 17 Total number of places 18 Number of children on roll 15

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Name of provider

Date of previous inspection 25 March 2010

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Telephone number

The childminder was registered in 2005, and lives in Watford. She operates all year round, Monday to Friday from 7.30am to 6.30pm, except for bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder holds a relevant early years qualification at level 5. Additionally, she works with an assistant and her husband, who is also a registered childminder; they hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 2 and 3. The childminder provides funded early years education for two-, three- and four-year old children.

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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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