Childminder in Hertfordshire

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 2 July 2015 23 March 2010

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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 has a secure understanding of safeguarding and child protection issues. She has previously completed relevant training, which supports her to implement measures that help to keep children in her care safe.  The childminder regularly reviews the quality of her provision, including children's learning. This helps her to effectively identify any weaknesses in her practice and monitor children's progress. As a result, she consistently sets targets to drive improvement.  The childminder attends regular childminder groups and training, which helps her to keep up to date with current childcare practice. This broadens her knowledge and understanding, which has a positive impact on children's good progress towards the early learning goals.  The childminder uses a wide range of teaching methods, which promote children's learning. She carries out regular assessments to identify their stage of development

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This provision is good

and plans activities to support their learning. This helps children to successfully acquire the skills needed in preparation for school.  The childminder establishes strong, warm relationships with children, who clearly show that they feel secure and confident in her care. For example, young children confidently interact with her during play and clearly make their needs known.

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It is not yet outstanding because:

 At times, the childminder does not encourage young children to think through and work out ways of doing things for themselves. This does not consistently help children to find their own solutions and overcome problems.  Partnership working with parents does not fully promote shared home learning. This does not help to extend children's individual development to the fullest.

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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 children's creative and critical-thinking skills even further by encouraging and allowing them time to identify and solve problems for themselves  enhance children's learning experiences further by extending partnership working with parents to include more ideas about how to develop children's learning at home, in order to continue building securely on what children know and can do.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector observed general play and the snack time routine.  The inspector talked with the childminder and children at appropriate times throughout the inspection.  The inspector looked at the evidence of the suitability checks for all members of the household over 16 years, and a range of other documentation, including safeguarding training and first-aid certificates.  The inspector held discussions with the childminder, in relation to observations of children's play, learning and progress.  The inspector reviewed the self-evaluation undertaken by the childminder through a range of discussions.  The inspector took account of the views of parents through discussions and feedback forms.

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who attend. This is good

The childminder teaches simple mathematic skills in fun, practical ways. For example, as young children put toys into a container, she counts each one out loud. This successfully encourages their awareness of numbers and, as a result, children begin to use some counting words. The childminder effectively promotes children's early communication. She uses a good range of teaching methods to support their exploration and use of language. For example, the childminder provides children with a running commentary about what they are doing. This successfully encourages them to begin to mimic what they hear. As part of her planning, the childminder ensures that the range of resources and activities on offer in the garden provide children with a wide range of learning opportunities outdoors. This helps to ensure that all learning styles are well catered for and supported. The childminder effectively encourages children to develop physical skills, showing them what

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who attend. This is good

she is doing with construction materials. As a result, they copy her, proudly showing the childminder how they have successfully joined pieces of construction together.

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good

The childminder effectively shares information with parents. This supports children's smooth adjustment into her care. Furthermore, by understanding what children enjoy, know and can do, she is able to meet their all-round needs from the start of their placement. Children enjoy spending time outside in the fresh air every day. They have lots of fun playing with water, which also helps to keep them cool on very hot days. However, on occasion the childminder does not always fully promote children's independent thinking. For example, she sometimes intervenes in young children's play. As a result, they do not always have sufficient time to think through and independently complete tasks they have set themselves. The childminder makes the most of opportunities for children to learn about personal care and hygiene. For example, she supports them to learn how to complete personal care routines, such as washing their hands before snacks. Consistent

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good

praise and encouragement from the childminder means that children develop high levels of self-esteem and confidence.

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provision is good

The childminder has a clear understanding of the requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage, which she implements in her daily practice. She has a wide range of policies to support the daily running of her service. The childminder shares these with parents to ensure that they have a clear understanding about the service she provides. Parents are also provided with good communication systems, such as a daily diary and have the opportunity to speak to the childminder each day. This means that they are kept well informed about their child's care and how they have spent their time with the childminder. Parents report that they are very happy with the care their child receives.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY353275 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 857465 Type of provision Childminder Registration category Childminder Age range of children 0 - 17 Total number of places 5 Number of children on roll 6

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Name of provider

Date of previous inspection 23 March 2010

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Telephone number

The childminder was registered in 2007 and lives in Cheshunt. She operates all year round from 7am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, except bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder provides funded early 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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