Childminder in Hertfordshire

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 4 August 2015 23 May 2012

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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. The childminder uses the space in her home very well. The playroom holds a wealth of resources for the younger children to explore. Older children have ample dedicated space to safely use equipment, suited to their growing needs.  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.  Children's sense of well-being and belonging is strong. The childminder and her assistant form secure emotional attachments with them. They work closely with parents to ensure they have a wealth of knowledge about each individual child. This contributes to children feeling very settled and secure.  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

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This provision is good

this has on children's development.  The childminder demonstrates an excellent understanding of how to protect and safeguard children. Through the implementation of effective policies and procedures, she actively promotes children's safety and welfare.

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It is not yet outstanding because:

 The childminder in not always successful in gaining information from all parents about what they know about their children's learning at home.  The childminder does not always effectively research ways to undertake further training based on her identified needs.

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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  continue to develop an effective, targeted programme of professional development to broaden and extend knowledge and skills further.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector observed the childminder and her assistant 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 and her assistant have 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 children make links in their learning as, for example, they match up toy animals with the pictures of animals on a large floor puzzle. The childminder's assistant models counting and mathematical words, such as tall, as children make towers with bobbins. The effective teaching of both the childminder and her assistant supports children to gain the skills they need for their next stage of learning, such as nursery or school. The childminder and her assistant regularly observe and assess children's learning. They share the progress children make with parents through discussion. This includes the mandatory progress check for children between the ages of two and three years. However, the childminder

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who attend. This is good

does not always consistently find out from every parent what children do and achieve at home, to inform her support for children's learning even more precisely.

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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. Considering their age, they play cooperatively and their behaviour is excellent. The childminder uses caring routines to engage in conversation with children and to sing songs. She notices when children are becoming tired and encourages them to rest with their comforters. 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. This helps her to meet their individual needs effectively.

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provision is good

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 and her assistant attend some training courses and explore online forums to develop their knowledge and understanding. However, the programme of professional development is not always targeted on their identified professional needs. Although the childminder has identified a desire to develop children's communication through signing, she has not yet taken action to address this. The childminder's assistant uses the knowledge gained from her qualification to review the activities they provide and children's progress. This helps them to ensure any gaps in learning are quickly identified and strategies are put in place to narrow them. The childminder reviews the performance of her assistant by having regular discussions with her and gaining her views on further

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY218291 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 996293 Type of provision Childminder Registration category Childminder Age range of children 0 - 11 Total number of places 12 Number of children on roll 12

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Telephone number

The childminder was registered in 2002 and lives in Hoddesdon. She operates all year round from 7am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, except for bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder employs her daughter, who holds a relevant level 3 qualification, as a full time assistant. She also employs her partner as an assistant on a flexible basis.

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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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