Childminder in Hertfordshire

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 30 July 2015 19 July 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 has a good understanding of children's interests and she provides a wide variety of learning experiences. For example, as children show an interest in playing with dolls, she provides a vast range of resources for children to use.  The childminder makes best use of everyday routines to promote children's play and learning. For example, as she prepares drinks and food in the kitchen, she encourages the young children to do the same with the play food and coffee machine.  Children settle with the childminder and her family very well and have good attachments with them. The childminder is very caring and attentive to their needs. This enables the children to explore the environment with confidence.  The childminder gains information from other settings children attend. For example, she finds out what topics they are covering and she plans activities to complement children's learning.

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This provision is good

 The childminder takes account of the views of parents. Parents' written comments are positive about the care and activities the childminder provides and the positive impact this has on children's development.  The childminder is confident about her role in safeguarding children and is aware of the action to take and who to contact should she have any concerns regarding children's welfare.

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It is not yet outstanding because:

 The childminder is not always successful in gaining information from all parents about what they know about their children's learning at home.

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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 better use of existing strategies to engage all parents in sharing the progress their children make at home.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector observed the childminder engaging in activities with the children and, at appropriate times, jointly 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 and planning documentation. Evidence of the suitability of household members and a range of other documents, including the safeguarding policy, were also seen.  The inspector took account of the views of parents and of the childminder's self- evaluation form.

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who attend. This is good

The childminder has a good knowledge and understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage. Children have free access to a wide range of toys and resources, which allows them to make choices and to initiate their own play and learning. The childminder is very aware of the children who prefer to learn outdoors. Her garden contains a wealth of resources for children to explore. For example, children enjoy exploring water by pouring it through pipes and water wheels. The childminder provides fish and nets. The children show their developing understanding of number as they count how many fish they catch. The childminder's effective use of these activities supports children to gain the skills necessary for their next stage of learning, such as nursery or school. The childminder regularly observes and assesses children's learning and she shares the progress children make with parents. This includes the mandatory progress check for children between the ages of two

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who attend. This is good

and three years. However, the childminder does not always consistently find out, from every parent, what children do and achieve at home to maximise her support for children's learning.

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good

The childminder provides a caring and nurturing environment, where children are happy and settled. Children have regular access to the garden and nearby parks where they use equipment to develop their physical skills and have fun in the fresh air. The younger children display very high levels of engagement and concentration as they play. They are very content to play alone and the childminder is skilled in knowing when and how to interact with them. Children are very independent, as the childminder encourages them to do things for themselves, such as wiping up spilt water and finding their shoes. The childminder regularly meets with other childminders and their children. The children play together and enjoy outings; this helps them to develop good social skills. Important care information is shared well between the childminder and parents. As a result, children's individual needs are consistently met and there is effective continuity of care.

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provision is good

The childminder has a secure knowledge of how to keep children safe. She continually reviews risks in the environment and on outings. The childminder shares her policies and procedures with parents when they register with her. This enables parents to understand how she meets all legal requirements. The childminder regularly reflects on her practice; this helps her to maintain the good standards of care and education she provides for the children. She demonstrates a strong drive to continuously improve her knowledge and understanding of how children learn and develop. For example, she has recently gained a qualification in child psychology. The childminder effectively reviews her teaching strategies and assessments of children. As a result, she identifies gaps in learning and ensures that she effectively reduces them.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY403667 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 850526 Type of provision Childminder Registration category Childminder Age range of children 0 - 8 Total number of places 6 Number of children on roll 8

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Name of provider

Date of previous inspection 19 July 2010

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Telephone number

The childminder was registered in 2009 and lives in Watford. She operates all year round from 7am to 6.30pm, Monday to Friday, 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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