Childminder in Hertfordshire

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 3 July 2015 21 March 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 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 regularly observes, assesses and tracks children's progress. She plans purposeful experiences that support them in developing their skills accordingly. For example, younger children learn to master the ability to walk, while older children are appropriately challenged in learning to write, read and problem solve.  Teaching is secure and based on the childminder's good understanding of children's needs. She knows the importance of promoting their communication, social and physical skills, in order to prepare them for further learning across all areas, in preparation for school.  The childminder promotes children's learning through play and effectively celebrates their personal interests. She provides children with a range of resources, activities and enabling educational programmes. For example, they routinely visit libraries, parks, the town centre and go swimming. As a result, children learn about their community and

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This provision is good

develop skills for life.  The childminder is attentive towards children and consistently praises their achievements and good behaviour. She involves parents in supporting their emotional development and sets appropriate boundaries so that children can learn what is right and wrong. As a result, children behave well.  The childminder participates in training to continuously enhance her knowledge. This allows her to regularly implement new ideas in her practice. She consults parents through questionnaires, completes self-evaluation and reflects on her services to ensure children's needs are always met.

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It is not yet outstanding because:

 The childminder does not exchange with parents information about children's learning and progress regularly enough. Therefore, children do not fully benefit from continuous support between their home and her provision.

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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

 exchange even more detailed information about children's ongoing learning and skills with parents on a regular basis, so that they can fully benefit from continuous support to their learning and development.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector talked with the childminder and interacted with children throughout the inspection.  The inspector observed children at play and evaluated activities with the childminder.  The inspector discussed with the childminder how she promotes children's learning and reviewed children's assessments records.  The inspector looked at evidence of the childminder and household members' suitability. She reviewed a range of other documents, including the safeguarding procedures and evidence of the childminder's first-aid training.  The inspector took account of the views of parents through questionnaires and reference letters.  The inspector reviewed the childminder's procedures for self-evaluation and discussed how she monitors the service she provides for children and their families.

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who attend. This is good

The childminder identifies children's starting points in learning and effectively uses those to start the assessment and planning process. Parents are involved in sharing information about children's skills during early placement. However, there is scope to further develop the ongoing partnership with them to ensure more regular information about children's learning is exchanged. The childminder has secure knowledge of the areas of learning and prepares interesting activities for children to explore. For example, children have fun playing with hoses and paddling pools on hot days. The childminder provides plenty of opportunities for children to play outside and skilfully teaches them about the world. For example, children created a chart where they monitor how many rainy, sunny and cloudy days there are in a month. Practice is inclusive. For example, the childminder celebrated the festival of lights with children of different ages and effectively engaged them in

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who attend. This is good

decorating lanterns. She has a secure understanding of the learning and development requirements and closely supports children's needs.

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good

The childminder offers flexible settling-in sessions that are tailored to meet children's needs. She gathers all relevant information from parents about children's care needs, routines and personal requirements. As a result, children are comfortable and settle quickly. The childminder promotes healthy lifestyles by ensuring that children exercise, enjoy fresh air and have nutritious snacks. Children learn to manage their personal hygiene and participate in routines, such as washing hands and tidying up. They play with other children, effectively developing their social skills. Additionally, the childminder teaches them to manage their personal safety while playing. This effectively teaches them to respect the environment and others. The childminder talks to children about the exciting experiences awaiting them at nursery and school. Consequently, they are eager to learn and excited to move on when the time comes. The childminder adapts practice to

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good

the individual needs of children. As a result, they form strong bonds with her.

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provision is good

The childminder is knowledgeable with regards to the safeguarding and welfare requirements. She securely implements child protection procedures and knows the steps to take to ensure children are safe. The childminder maintains a well-documented practice, carefully assessing her house and outings to minimise risks for children. She shares her policies and procedures with parents so they know how she cares for and educates children. The childminder has links with the local authority and children's centres and knows how to reach support. As a result, children are promptly supported. The childminder works alongside other settings children attend, demonstrating a secure understanding of the importance of working with other professionals. She supervises children with good levels of attention. Consequently, they are safe, happy and develop their skills steadily.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 129734 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 874845 Type of provision Childminder Registration category Childminder Age range of children 0 - 17 Total number of places 6 Number of children on roll 8

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Name of provider

Date of previous inspection 21 March 2011

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Telephone number

The childminder was registered in 1993 and lives in Bovingdon, Hemel Hempstead. She operates all year round, Monday to Friday from 7.15am to 6pm, except for bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder holds appropriate early years 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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