Brooks, Catherine Cairney

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 5 August 2015 16 March 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 the Early Years Foundation Stage. She meets children's care, learning and development needs effectively. Therefore, they make good progress in readiness for school.  The childminder observes and assesses children in her care. She uses the assessments to identify their next steps in learning and provides high-quality opportunities to help children to move forward in their learning as they play.  The childminder uses a variety of methods to help children learn about their local environment. She takes them on an interesting range of outings, such as regular visits to a local zoo, where they learn about the baby animals that have recently been born.  The childminder uses very good methods to help children settle into her provision. She works closely with parents to find out about babies' routines and likes and dislikes. She uses this information to help babies to feel secure during their early days with her.

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This provision is good

 The childminder is committed to making ongoing improvements to her practice. She has obtained an early years qualification at level 3 and has attended a number of courses in addition to mandatory training. She has used the information gained to enhance the quality of her teaching and her support for children's learning.

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It is not yet outstanding because:

 The childminder does not maximise opportunities for children to take part in imaginative role play.

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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

 extend the range of opportunities for children to engage in imaginative role play.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector had a tour of the premises.  The inspector observed the children's activities and routines indoors and outside.  The inspector spoke to the childminder and the children at appropriate times throughout the inspection.  The inspector carried out an observation of the childminder's practice and jointly discussed this with her.  The inspector discussed the childminder's self-evaluation of her provision and sampled children's records and the childminder's policies and procedures. She reviewed evidence of the suitability of the childminder and other adults living on the premises.

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who attend. This is good

The quality of teaching is good. The childminder uses a variety of strategies to meet the learning needs of children of different ages. Children develop a very good love of books. They select favourite books about popular television characters, and the childminder willingly responds to requests to read the books as often as children wish. She supports children effectively to learn that print carries meaning and encourages them to recall what happens next as she reads favourite stories. Children practise their emerging use of language as they enthusiastically tell the childminder which character has not gone to bed yet. Children extend their social skills as they mix with other children at a number of toddler groups. They enjoy using role-play equipment in those environments to support their creativity. The childminder does not maximise opportunities for children to take part in imaginative role play in her own home. Babies use age-appropriate equipment,

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who attend. This is good

including toys that the childminder knows are current favourites. They play enthusiastically with different sizes of balls, which helps them to develop their physical skills effectively. Parents are actively involved in children's learning and tell the childminder about their child's learning at home. The childminder shows them the observations that she makes and the detailed daily diary with information about children's care and learning. These strategies help to support children's continuity of learning.

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good

Children quickly develop very close relationships with the childminder. This helps them to feel emotionally secure and to become confident, enthusiastic learners. Children behave very well and older children quickly learn to be considerate of the needs of younger children coming into the childminder's care. The childminder calmly models good manners and behaviour. Children have regular opportunities for fresh air and exercise in the garden and on regular outings. They use a wide range of large play equipment in the local parks. This helps them to develop very good climbing and balancing skills. Children eat healthy meals provided by the childminder. They learn good hygiene routines to support their understanding of healthy lifestyles. They develop awareness of their personal safety as they learn to use equipment, such as the trampoline, safely.

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provision is good

The childminder has a good understanding of the possible signs of abuse and the procedures to follow if she was to have concerns about a child in her care. She implements an effective policy regarding the use of mobile phones and cameras in her home. This helps to safeguard children. She carries out robust risk assessments and implements effective measures to support children's safety as they play in her garden. The childminder reviews children's learning to identify any gaps and support them to make good or very good progress. She works in partnership with other early years providers who share children's care to provide good continuity of care and learning for children who also attend other provision.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY399433 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 860056 Type of provision Childminder Registration category Childminder Age range of children 0 - 11 Total number of places 6 Number of children on roll 3

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Name of provider

Date of previous inspection 16 March 2010

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Telephone number

The childminder was registered in 2009 and lives in Berkhamsted. She operates all year round from 7.30am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, except bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder holds a childcare qualification at level 3. She provides funded early years education for three- and four-year-old children.

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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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