Childminder in Hertfordshire

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 5 August 2015 Not applicable

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This inspection: Good 2

Previous inspection: Not applicable 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 and at times outstanding. The childminder helps children to become aware of how stories are structured to promote their literacy development. Children thoroughly enjoy the childminder's storytelling as she is animated and creates anticipation in her voice. Children eagerly join in with repeated refrains and retell stories using soft toys.  Children are active and inquisitive learners. They have immense fun moving their bodies to their favourite nursery rhymes. They also learn about life cycles as they observe tadpoles turning into frogs.  The qualified childminder offers a fun-filled and nurturing environment for children. She is caring and attentive to children's needs. Her consistent praise and reassurance gives children the confidence to carry out responsibilities independently and develop a secure relationship with her.  The childminder is secure in her knowledge of child protection issues. She has a clear

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This provision is good

understanding of how to refer and deal with any concerns about the children in her care.  The childminder teaches children how to keep themselves safe. They know why they need to wear a helmet as they ride scooters and talk about the importance of wearing high-visibility jackets when out in the community with the childminder.

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It is not yet outstanding because:

 The initial information about children's learning that the childminder obtains from parents is not sufficiently detailed to fully support her early identification of children's precise learning needs.  The childminder does not maximise the partnership with other providers where children attend so that children's learning and development are shared more to further support their learning.

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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 level of initial information obtained from parents, to include further detail of children's development, to plan even more precisely for their continued progress from an early stage  strengthen the partnership with all other providers where children attend so that more precise information about children's achievements and next steps in learning are shared to support their continuity of learning and development.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector observed a range of indoor and outdoor play activities and spoke to the childminder and children at appropriate times.  The inspector conducted a joint observation with the childminder.  The inspector looked at children's assessment records, a selection of policies, safety procedures and required documentation.  The inspector looked at evidence of the suitability of the childminder and her husband.  The inspector took account of the written views of parents.  The inspector reviewed the childminder's self-evaluation form.

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who attend. This is good

The childminder's ongoing detailed knowledge of the children enables her to identify their next steps in learning. Consequently, they make good progress in readiness for school. Children are highly motivated and persevere at challenging activities that help increase the control and coordination of their hands. They build upon their understanding of mathematical ideas as they sort different sized pasta and rice in the correct order, from biggest to smallest. The childminder extends children's thinking skills as she asks them probing questions that encourage them to make predictions. They decide which size funnel to use to enable the pasta to flow through into their plastic bottles to make shakers. Parents describe the childminder as, 'Amazing'. They are kept well informed of their children's achievements and how to support their children's learning at home. The childminder works closely with them to obtain relevant information when children first

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who attend. This is good

begin attending. However, she does not request enough detail about children's development to plan more precise next steps in their initial learning.

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good

The childminder is a very good role model. Children play exceptionally well together and welcome their friends as they arrive. They consistently use good manners when speaking to each other and the childminder. Children follow a strict hygiene routine. They know why they need to wash their hands before eating and after going to the toilet. She places a strong emphasis on sensitively preparing children for changes or events in their life, such as moving on to nursery. The childminder works closely with a strong network of other childminders. They take it in turns to visit each other's houses where they organise interesting activities for the children. This helps children to become even more confident in different environments and with larger groups of children. Daily opportunities for fresh air and exercise in the childminder's garden or at local parks stimulate children to be active.

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provision is good

The experienced childminder has a good understanding of her responsibility to meet and implement the requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage. She continues to develop her knowledge and skills by reading professional publications and discussing good practice with other childminders. As a result, the childminder now has a secure understanding about new government initiatives and forthcoming changes in legislation. The childminder is reflective and continuously evaluates her practice and reviews the learning programmes. She is aware of the need to form positive working relationships with other providers that children attend. She takes account of the topics and themes that children are learning in nursery by planning activities that complement these. The childminder also exchanges information with nursery staff in relation to children's welfare. However, she has not yet extended this partnership when sharing information in relation

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provision is good

to children's precise next steps to further support children's continuity of learning.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 149447 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 1003917 Type of provision Childminder Registration category Childminder Age range of children 0 - 12 Total number of places 6 Number of children on roll 4

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Name of provider

Date of previous inspection Not applicable

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Telephone number

The childminder was registered in 1996 and lives in the Clothall Common area of Baldock. She operates all year round from 8am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, except for bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder holds 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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