Childminder in HertfordshireOfsted inspection, 8 Jul 2015

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 8 July 2015 13 October 2011

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This inspection: Good 2

Previous inspection: Outstanding 1 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 quality of the childminder's teaching is consistently good. She has very high expectations for what children can do and provides them with activities that are interesting and engaging.  Children learn to be tolerant and understanding of others. This is because the childminder teaches children about differences, such as when children have food allergies. As a result, children become mindful and considerate towards each other.  Children are extremely confident and capable. The childminder allows them to undertake a full range of complex and challenging tasks. When children cook, they measure out ingredients, use the food mixer and wash and dry up the items they use. This helps them to become highly confident in their own abilities.  The childminder undertakes risk assessments of the areas where children play and the activities she provides. Therefore, she is able to minimise any potential hazards. She

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This provision is good

has a good awareness of the signs and symptoms that might cause her concern about children's welfare.

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It is not yet outstanding because:

 The childminder does always establish a highly effective two-way flow of information with every setting where children attend. This means that some assessments that parents receive are not fully reflective of a shared knowledge of children's progress.  The childminder's recent training does not provide her with the precise information that she needs to extensively review her policies, procedures and practice.

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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

 establish more highly effective relationships with all other providers where children attend so that assessments of their progress are even more accurate and consistent  develop a more precise and targeted plan for professional development to enhance the already good knowledge and skills even further.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector observed children's learning activities in the living room, kitchen and dining room area.  The inspector spoke with the childminder, children and parents at appropriate times throughout the inspection.  The inspector looked at a range of required documentation including, policies and procedures, self-evaluation documents and evidence of the suitability of the childminder and household members.  The inspector discussed a planned activity with the childminder.

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who attend. This is good

The childminder provides activities that intrigue children and ignite their enquiring minds. Children learn about the natural world by watching caterpillar lifecycles. The childminder teaches children about time when they wait for their cakes to cook in the oven. The childminder's questioning and guidance is effective in building upon what children already know. Close working with parents through frequent, detailed information sharing, enables them to be actively involved in children's learning. However, the childminder does not always establish highly effective partnerships with other settings where children attend. As a result, she does not contribute her knowledge of children towards assessments, such as the progress check for children between the age of two and three years. Therefore, it does not provide parents with a fully accurate account of children's abilities. Children gain the skills that they need in order to be ready for starting school. The childminder plans

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who attend. This is good

activities where children use their developing mathematical understanding. As children use counting, measuring and recognition of shapes in their everyday play, they become very competent in using their knowledge.

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good

Children learn about staying healthy. The childminder teaches them about germs and how to reduce the risk of the spread of infection, such as through handwashing and good food hygiene. She teaches the children about why they should not lick the spoon when making cakes. The childminder shares very close relationships with the children she cares for. She knows them and their families and is able to meet their individual needs well. The childminder's patient and calm nature, along with gentle guidance, helps to promote children's good behaviour. They play together happily, showing good manners towards each other and the childminder. Children enjoy going on outings and playing outside as they learn about being fit and active. Children learn to be independent as they find their own apron before cooking and help to tidy up, developing their sense of responsibility.

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provision is good

The childminder has a good awareness of child protection issues. She has undertaken recent training to further refresh her knowledge. Although the childminder uses training as a way to enhance her practice, her recent professional development has been general in nature. Consequently, it does not specifically relate to issues that are most pertinent to her and the children who attend her care. Nevertheless, the childminder has a good understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage requirements and reviews her provision. She has thoroughly addressed recommendations from the previous inspection. Parents say that they feel lucky to have found the childminder because of the good quality care that she provides for children. They express their delight in the information she shares, which enables them to support children's learning at home. This, along with the high-quality teaching they experience, contributes to their consistently good progress in

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY221950 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 848214 Type of provision Childminder Registration category Childminder Age range of children 0 - 12 Total number of places 6 Number of children on roll 9

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Name of provider

Date of previous inspection 13 October 2011

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Telephone number

The childminder was registered in 2002 and lives in Tring. She operates all year round from 7.30am to 6.30pm, Monday to Thursday, except for bank holidays and family holidays.

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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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