Childminder in Hertfordshire

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 16 July 2015 18 January 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 quality of teaching is good. From an early age, the childminder encourages children to develop a love for books. There is a very good range of books available for children and she warmly shares interactive stories with them.  Children enjoy the freedom of playing in the garden when they choose. The childminder's flexible routine means they can have snacks and meals when they are ready for them. These activities help children to make their own healthy choices.  Children are happy and settled. They share a caring and trusting relationship with the childminder. She demonstrates a good understanding of each child and helps them to settle in each day with her as they choose.  The childminder takes account of the views of parents. Their comments are positive about the care and activities the childminder provides and the positive impact she has on children's development.  The childminder demonstrates a good understanding of how to protect and safeguard

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This provision is good

children. She uses her effective policies and procedures to promote children's safety and welfare well.

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It is not yet outstanding because:

 Children who prefer to learn outdoors do not always have the choice of a wide range of activities.  Opportunities for children who speak English as an additional language, to develop a sense of themselves and their families, are not always 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

 provide a wider range of activities in the garden to further support the development of children who prefer to learn outdoors  enable children who speak English as an additional language to develop a sense of themselves, their immediate family and relations.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector observed the childminder engaging in activities with 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 childminder demonstrates a good knowledge and understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage. Children demonstrate their preference to learn outside as they constantly choose to be in the garden. They enjoy sensory experiences as they explore sand, water and paint. However, their choice of other activities in the garden is, at times, less than their choice of activities indoors. The childminder supports children who speak English as additional language well. She learns key words in their language and uses these to prompt children during activities throughout the day. She gives them simple, clear instructions as they play. However, she does not always maximise the opportunities she provides for children to develop a sense of themselves and their families. The childminder uses her good knowledge of children and regular observations to inform her assessments and plan for children's next steps in learning. She shares her assessments with parents

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who attend. This is good

and they regularly share what their children have been doing and learning at home. This helps the childminder to have an even better understanding of each child's interests. As a result, children are highly motivated and are developing the key skills for the next stage of their learning, such as nursery and school.

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good

The childminder collects clear information from parents when children start, enabling her to meet their emotional needs. Children have positive relationships with the childminder, as they enjoy her cuddles, praise and reassurance. The childminder recognises the signs that children are tired. Her secure routines mean they settle to sleep well. Children have opportunities to be active and engage in physical play, both in the garden and on outings in the local community. The childminder encourages children to learn about healthy eating and she offers a good range of healthy snacks and meals to develop their tastes. These good experiences support children very well in developing the skills that they need to adopt healthy lifestyles. Children develop their independence as they collect their own belongings, such as finding their shoes to go outside. Children acquire self-care skills as they independently wash their hands and serve themselves at snack times.

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provision is good

The childminder is committed to promoting good quality provision for children. She evaluates what is working and what areas to develop. She seeks the views of parents through the use of questionnaires. The childminder undertakes professional development opportunities by attending training courses and exploring online forums. These courses have a positive impact on her practice and she is currently researching ways to undertake a level 3 qualification. The childminder reviews the activities she provides and children's progress. This helps her to ensure any gaps in learning are quickly identified and strategies are put in place to narrow them. The childminder has formed positive relationships with other settings that children attend. This encourages information of children's achievements to be shared to further support their continuity of learning.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY409346 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 850990 Type of provision Childminder Registration category Childminder Age range of children 0 - 8 Total number of places 6 Number of children on roll 5

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Name of provider

Date of previous inspection 18 January 2011

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Telephone number

The childminder was registered in 2010 and lives in Stevenage. She operates all year round from 8am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, except for family holidays and bank 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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