Prior, Harriet Victoria

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 11 August 2015 8 June 2010

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This inspection: Outstanding 1

Previous inspection: Good 2 How well the early years provision meets the needs of the range of children who attend Outstanding 1

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This inspection: Outstanding 1

The contribution of the early years provision to the well-being of children Outstanding 1

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This inspection: Outstanding 1

The effectiveness of the leadership and management of the early years provision Outstanding 1

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This inspection: Outstanding 1

The setting meets legal requirements for early years settings

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This provision is outstanding

 The quality of teaching is excellent. The childminder expertly uses her skills, continually adjusting and adapting her approach in order to meet the needs of each child. She successfully plans and delivers an educational programme tailored precisely to children's interests and stage of development.  Children are eager to learn and readily engage in the many activities that capture their interest and inspire them to learn and make rapid progress towards the early learning goals.  The childminder makes precise observations. She carefully assesses the information gathered and uses this very effectively to plan for children's next steps in learning.  Children and the childminder have a very strong bond. Children's emotional well-being is fostered expertly and the childminder takes the time to get to know them well. She values their opinions and is keen for children to share their ideas.  Children's behaviour is exemplary. The childminder provides a highly effective role

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This provision is outstanding

model from which children learn. Their continual well-mannered approach to those around them makes for a very positive learning environment.  The childminder meets all of the requirements for the Early Years Foundation Stage with excellent effect on children's well-being, security and education.  Robust safeguarding arrangements are in place to ensure children are protected from harm. The childminder ensures the home, garden and any outings are suitable and safe for the children. She makes sure all of the mandatory training is completed in a timely fashion and this further contributes to her excellent safeguarding practice.  The childminder regularly reflects on her practice to identify aspects on which she could improve. She sets herself challenging targets that help her to make rapid, secure and lasting improvements.

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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

 continue to build on the excellent practice through the targeted continuous professional development programme.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector observed activities in the dining area, sitting room and garden. She reflected on children's learning with the childminder.  The inspector, childminder and children had conversations at appropriate times during the inspection.  The inspector looked at documentation relating to the day-to-day organisation of the childminding service, children's progress and self-evaluation.  The inspector took account of the views of parents from information provided by the childminder.  The inspector checked the evidence of the suitability and qualifications of the childminder and the suitability of other household members aged over 16 years.

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who attend. This is outstanding

The childminder provides children with a wealth of interesting and exciting experiences that foster their learning. Children demonstrate their rapid progress as they quickly develop new skills. The childminder expertly supports learning through play. Children are exploring their environment and developing their understanding of how the world works. Children have great speaking and listening skills. This enables them to explain their ideas, thoughts and feelings and to listen attentively to what others have to say. Children use their mathematical knowledge in their play to describe the features and properties, such as size and weight of the items they are using. Children's excellent concentration skills and interest in print are promoted extremely well. This contributes significantly to their readiness for learning in a larger group environment, such as school. Parents engage superbly. They support the childminder in working together, taking an interest in what

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who attend. This is outstanding

children learn with the childminder and sharing experiences from home.

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outstanding

Children are confident and show a strong sense of belonging. They select resources and make choices about what they want to do and the things they need to make their activities successful. Children spend lots of time outdoors. The childminder plans carefully for the outdoors to ensure she provides for all the different areas of learning. Children are very active during the day. The childminder is teaching them about food and eating healthily. They have superb knowledge of hygiene, easily following the clearly laid-out practices that help them to keep healthy and well. Children are doing plenty of things independently. The childminder encourages children to work things out for themselves and to find their own solutions to some of the difficulties they encounter. She is happy to offer guidance and demonstrations when children need it. Children show an excellent awareness of safety. They move carefully around the home and support one another to be

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outstanding

safe during their play. Children have very good cooperative skills. They use these to great effect, working together, taking turns and sharing their ideas. The childminder offers an environment and atmosphere that support children's decision making tremendously well.

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provision is outstanding

The childminder is well qualified and puts her years of experience into her practice to excellent effect. She has a thorough and detailed knowledge of the Early Years Foundation Stage and how children learn and develop. She has an extensive range of comprehensive policies that she uses to underpin her practice. The childminder uses a range of sources for her professional development and acknowledges the value of this in maintaining the high standards she sets herself. The childminder has long-established working partnerships with local agencies and other providers of the Early Years Foundation Stage. She uses these relationships to share ideas, in order to support her in developing her own practice and to promote children's learning and development to the highest levels.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY345332 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 857328 Type of provision Childminder Registration category Childminder Age range of children 0 - 9 Total number of places 6 Number of children on roll 5

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Telephone number

The childminder was registered in 2007 and lives in Buntingford. She operates all year round from 8am to 6pm Monday to Friday, except for bank holidays and family holidays. She holds a 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

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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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