Childminder in Hertfordshire

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 23 June 2015 23 August 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 Outstanding 1

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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 knows the children well. She is using this knowledge very effectively to plan worthwhile experiences for them all. Consequently, they are learning as they have fun using their imagination as they role play indoors and outside in the garden.  The childminder successfully supports children's speaking and listening skills. She uses conversation as they play to extend children's thinking, introducing new words and the chance for children to use the words. This means all children, including those who speak English as an additional language, are making very good progress in this aspect of their learning.  The childminder builds children's confidence very successfully. She helps them to become capable and competent in managing small tasks for themselves. For example, children put on their own shoes when going outside and pour their water from the jug at lunchtime.  The childminder has excellent relationships with parents. She makes sure they are well

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This provision is good

informed about their child's care and their progress in learning. The childminder communicates with them in a variety of ways and this helps to maintain trust very effectively.  The childminder keeps up to date with her training, including safeguarding, and extends her knowledge of practice effectively to help her to offer children a very good quality learning environment.

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It is not yet outstanding because:

 The childminder does not always gather as much information as possible from parents about what children know and can do when she first starts to care for them.  There is scope to extend the partnerships with other early years settings that children attend to further support the continuity in 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 the level of information gathered from parents about children's development on entry to accelerate their progress with the next steps in learning at the earliest opportunity  explore further strategies for liaising with other settings children attend, in order to ensure continuity in their learning.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector observed activities in the play room and garden. She reflected on children's learning with the childminder.  The inspector, childminder and children had conversations at appropriate times during the inspection.  The inspector looked at documentation relating to the day-to-day organisation of the childminding service, children's progress and self-evaluation.  The inspector took account of the views of parents from information provided by the childminder and a small number spoken to at the inspection.  The inspector checked the evidence of the suitability and qualifications of the childminder and the suitability of other household members aged over 16 years.

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who attend. This is good

The childminder uses very effective teaching to help children learn. Children are enjoying their topic on space. The childminder provides different ways for children to explore the subject using songs, number lines for counting and creative activities, where children express their ideas by making three-dimensional models. Children are eager to show others what they know and they use the displayed materials well to support and extend their own learning. Children count in sequence from one to ten, showing great delight in their achievement. The childminder extends their learning further by encouraging them to count backwards just as they do for a rocket launch. Outside, children continue their role- play activities and request exciting number games. The childminder joins in with enthusiasm and this makes children feel valued and appreciated. Children enthusiastically discuss the creatures they have found outside. They demonstrate their knowledge of

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who attend. This is good

nature as they talk about where they found the woodlouse and how it scurries about.

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outstanding

The childminder has a superb relationship with each child. She uses their routines to structure her day, making sure they have time for eating and sleeping according to their individual needs. The childminder uses the time when younger children are resting very effectively. She works with older children and they particularly enjoy the extra story time. Children each have the chance to choose the story. This helps them to make decisions and encourages them to take turns as they listen to each other's choice of book. Children behave extremely well. The childminder is calm and reassuring. She works closely with parents to ensure strategies used to support children's exemplary behaviour are consistent and highly effective. The children love organising their lunch things. They laugh as the childminder mixes up the mats, plates and cups, relishing the opportunity to match the colours properly. Children lead a healthy life with the childminder, receiving plenty of fresh

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outstanding

air and exercise as part of their daily experiences. The childminder provides children with a very safe place to play. She makes sure they learn about their own safety by guiding them to look carefully at where they are playing and how they use toys and equipment.

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provision is good

The childminder has a good understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage. She fulfils her responsibilities effectively and, therefore, provides well for children's needs. The childminder holds a recognised qualification; she uses her knowledge well to provide the good quality teaching that supports children's effective learning. She has comprehensive policies that she uses to guide her practice and to inform parents about her service. The childminder successfully monitors children's progress. However, she does not always gather enough information from parents about their child's previous learning. This means she cannot quickly establish children's starting points. She has not yet explored ways of strengthening partnerships with other early years settings that children attend, where she does not have direct contact with the providers.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 130220 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 874866 Type of provision Childminder Registration category Childminder Age range of children 0 - 4 Total number of places 6 Number of children on roll 4

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Name of provider

Date of previous inspection 23 August 2011

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Telephone number

The childminder was registered in 1997. She operates all year round from 7.30am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, except for bank holidays and family holidays. She holds a formal 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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