Childminder in Hertfordshire

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 28 April 2015 20 October 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 uses her garden well to promote all areas of learning. Consequently, children who prefer to be outdoors learn successfully, and make good progress in their development.  Children's mathematical understanding is developing well. This is because the childminder gently introduces numbers and counting through daily activities and conversations.  Children settle with the childminder extremely quickly and have good attachments with her. She is very caring and attentive to their needs. This enables the children to explore the environment with confidence.  The childminder has established strong partnerships with parents. They express their very high levels of satisfaction with the care that the childminder provides, through written documentation and thank you cards.  The childminder makes best use of everyday routines to foster children's independence and support their awareness of keeping themselves safe. For example, young children

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This provision is good

are encouraged to find their own shoes and lunch boxes. The childminder's consistent explanations help children to understand why some behaviours are not safe.  The childminder is confident about her role in safeguarding children and is aware of the action to take and whom to contact should she have any concerns regarding children's welfare.

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It is not yet outstanding because:

 The childminder does not always provide children with books and pictures on topics that are of interest to them, such as aeroplanes, to fully maximise their learning.  The childminder's good records of accidents are, on occasions, not always kept confidential from other parents.

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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

 enhance the good teaching strategies already in place, for example, by extending the use of factual books to further develop children's understanding of the world, such as by showing pictures of a range of aeroplanes  review the way that accidents are recorded to ensure they are always kept confidential, for example, by having a page in the log book for each child.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector observed the childminder engaging in activities with the children and discussed the learning that was taking place.  The inspector viewed the areas of the premises and garden used for childminding.  The inspector looked at children's assessment records, planning documentation, evidence of the suitability of household members and a range of other documents, including the safeguarding policy.  The inspector took account of information from parents as recorded in written documents.

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who attend. This is good

The quality of teaching is good because the childminder provides a range of activities which effectively challenge children. She ensures children have free access to a range of toys and resources which are of interest to them. For example, children engage well in imaginative play. They enjoy playing with the dolls' house and talk about what is upstairs and downstairs. Outside, the playhouse is exciting. Children go inside and close the door as they pretend to make tea and cake for the childminder. Children use their hands to roll out dough and fit shapes into puzzles. The childminder's consistent praise and attention motivates them to keep on trying, when challenges occur. These effective activities ensure children are developing the skills they need for moving on to nursery and school. Children talk excitedly about aeroplanes and the seaside. However, the childminder misses opportunities to maximise their learning on such topics, for example, by providing

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who attend. This is good

reference books containing photographs. The childminder regularly observes and assesses children's learning. She shares these assessments with parents and with other settings children attend. This ensures continuity in children's learning.

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good

Children share positive relationships with the childminder and they are very happy and settled in her home. The children are confident and involve visitors in their play and conversations. Young children have good communication skills and chat as they play with the childminder. Children have opportunities to be active and engage in physical play in the garden and local parks on a regular basis. The childminder uses walks to and from school to help children to learn skills to keep themselves safe. For example, the childminder gives children freedom to run ahead of her. Children respect the clear boundaries set and know to wait. The childminder meets children's individual dietary needs as she encourages parents to provide healthy meals and snacks. Children benefit from trips to toddler groups, where they further develop their social skills and confidence.

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provision is good

The childminder keeps children safe as she regularly reviews risks in the environment and on outings. The childminder holds a current first-aid qualification and deals with accidents and records them appropriately. However, the records of accidents are not always kept confidential. For example, when parents sign they have some access to details of accidents concerning other children. The childminder evaluates what is working in her practice and what she needs to improve. She uses discussions with parents to seek their views on the service she offers. The childminder sources appropriate professional development opportunities through attending training courses and meeting with other childminders. This has a positive impact on her practice. She monitors children's progress through her assessments of their learning and she shares these with parents through discussion. This ensures any gaps in children's learning are effectively addressed.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 123252 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 863925 Type of provision Childminder Registration category Childminder Age range of children 0 - 11 Total number of places 6 Number of children on roll 4

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Name of provider

Date of previous inspection 20 October 2010

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Telephone number

The childminder was registered in 1993 and lives in Brickett Wood. She operates from 7.45am until 6pm, Monday to Thursday, during school term time.

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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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