Childminder in Hertfordshire

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 14 July 2015 8 February 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 effectively uses her knowledge and experience gained from obtaining a childcare qualification and working in childcare settings. As a result, teaching is good. She is well organised and has a professional attitude to her work.  The childminder interacts well with children to effectively promote their understanding and early language development. She asks questions and repeats words back to young children, such as names and colours of objects.  The childminder has a secure knowledge of safeguarding issues and the procedures to follow should she have any concerns about the welfare of a child in her care. She takes positive steps to ensure potential hazards are minimised so that children are protected from harm.  The childminder develops strong partnerships with parents which support children's welfare and learning. They are very pleased with the service provided.  The childminder is aware of the need to work with other settings where children attend,

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This provision is good

such as nursery or pre-school.  The childminder works closely with her assistant so that they share her good practice. They both read relative childcare information so that they keep their knowledge updated.

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It is not yet outstanding because:

 The childminder does not always further extend and challenge younger children's learning during activities, particularly when promoting self-care skills.  Opportunities to help children learn about different communities and differences within their immediate environment are not maximised.

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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

 make the most of all opportunities to build further on children's self-care skills, such as enabling younger children to feed themselves  provide more opportunities for children to develop their awareness of other communities and differences between themselves and others.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector spoke with the childminder, her assistant and children at convenient times throughout the inspection.  The inspector observed activities indoors. She also carried out a joint observation with the childminder.  The inspector looked at children's development records, evidence of suitability of those living and working on the premises, and the childminder's training records.  The inspector took account of the views of parents through references left with the childminder.

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who attend. This is good

The childminder plans activities based on themes and links children's interests to these. Children particularly enjoy taking part in a variety of art and craft activities. Children use a range of materials and tools. This contributes to the development of early writing skills as they grow. The childminder and her assistant sit and talk to children as they play. This supports them in concentrating on activities, such as planting seeds to grow cress. Children enjoy choosing books to share; the childminder reads popular stories to them and helps younger children to carefully turn the pages. Children count building blocks when they make construction models. This supports their mathematical development and their readiness for the move to nursery or school. However, the childminder has not explored how to help children to find out about different places so that children learn about a variety of people and environments.

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good

The childminder offers a home-from-home environment and treats children like her own family. As a result, they form close attachments to each other. The childminder gathers detailed information from parents and children have opportunities to visit before they start. This supports a smooth transition to the childminder's home. The childminder follows children's home routines, such as sleep patterns so that they continue to feel secure. Children's comforters are easily available and they can sleep according to their needs. Clear and consistent messages mean that children learn to treat their friends with respect. Dietary needs are well known and nutritious meals are freshly cooked by the childminder. However, on occasions, younger children's self-care skills, such as feeding themselves are not promoted as much as they could be. Children have opportunities to develop their understanding of healthy lifestyles. They enjoy playing in the garden and

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good

have great fun playing with water. During hot weather, the childminder ensures that children are protected from the impact of the sun.

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provision is good

The childminder demonstrates a secure understanding of the learning and development requirements. She is well qualified and continually reads information online to enhance and update her knowledge. The childminder works closely with her assistant to provide a good quality provision for children. For example, she ensures that her assistant is very familiar with all her policies including the safeguarding procedures. In addition, she effectively evaluates the service provided and checks the practice of her assistant. The childminder completes detailed observations and assessments of children's progress. These allow her to check children's development, and to plan activities and experiences to support their learning. Details about the children's day and their progress are shared with parents. The childminder also provides information to them about how they can further support their child's learning at home. This means that there is a shared approach to

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY231687 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 855784 Type of provision Childminder Registration category Childminder Age range of children 0 - 17 Total number of places 12 Number of children on roll 10

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Name of provider

Date of previous inspection 8 February 2011

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Telephone number

The childminder registered in March 2003. She lives in Bushey and works with an assistant. She operates all year round from 7am to 6pm, Monday to Thursday, except for bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder has a relevant 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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