Childminder in Hertfordshire

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 3 September 2015 30 March 2009

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This inspection: Good 2

Effectiveness of the leadership and management Good 2

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This inspection: Good 2

Quality of teaching, learning and assessment Good 2

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This inspection: Good 2

Personal development, behaviour and welfare Good 2

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This provision is good

 The childminder attends training and uses her new knowledge well. For example, she works with children to make interesting resources, such as textured boards and musical instruments. These support children in using and exploring their senses.  The childminder has improved her planning and offers children a creative variety of activities. She uses her good teaching skills to adapt these for each child. As a result, children are engaged and enjoy their play. They develop the skills and positive attitudes that support their learning, thereby, preparing them well for school.  The childminder carefully checks children's progress and takes prompt action to address any weaker areas. For example, she now offers additional resources and activities that support younger children in developing their speech.  The childminder supports children in understanding each other and appreciating differences. For example, children enjoy sharing their family photograph albums, going

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This provision is good

on to discuss daily family life and special events and celebrations.  The childminder works well with parents and offers them practical written information detailing simple activities to try at home. In this way, she helps parents to build on their children's learning.

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It is not yet outstanding because:

 The childminder does not always make the most of all opportunities to support children in fully developing their skills in critical thinking.  The childminder does not always fully support children's independent learning when they use the garden.

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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

 enhance the opportunities for children to think critically during daily activities and discussions  extend the opportunities for children to make independent choices and develop their own play when using the garden.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector observed activities in the childminder's house and viewed areas of the home used for childminding. She viewed the garden and discussed how this is used.  The inspector talked with the childminder and the children present and reviewed an activity with the childminder.  The inspector looked at children's assessment records, planning documentation and evidence of the suitability of household members. She viewed the childminder's self- evaluation information and a range of other documentation, including the safeguarding procedures.  The inspector took account of the views of parents, as given in their written feedback to the childminder.

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management is good

The childminder understands the Early Years Foundation Stage well and ensures that she meets all requirements. Improved risk assessments enable her to promote children's safety in all areas. The childminder has a good knowledge of safeguarding procedures and understands how to report any concerns she has about children in her care, so safeguarding is effective. The childminder conscientiously evaluates her practice and makes relevant improvements. She now makes more effective use of her assessments of children's progress to plan pertinent activities that promote their development. Children's care is consistent as the childminder exchanges information with other childcare settings that they attend.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

The childminder observes children's play and offers resources that extend their learning. For example, young children explore pasta and begin to sort this according to size and colour. When they notice the holes in the pasta, the childminder offers them string and they concentrate as they thread this. Activities such as these support children in developing their skills in language, mathematics and creativity. The childminder offers children interesting activities that support their development. For example, they use their smaller muscles and develop their coordination as they use safety knives to chop vegetables. However, children are less confident in developing their skills in critical thinking, as the childminder offers them fewer opportunities to solve problems as they play. The childminder supports children in building on their experiences. For example, during the holiday period children make their own passports and visit a travel shop. This

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

enables them to start to consider the wider world.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are good

The childminder has a good understanding of children's physical and emotional needs as she works well with parents. As a result, children quickly settle and build secure bonds with her. The childminder is sensitive to children's individual levels of understanding and helps them to manage their behaviour. Children enjoy looking at their assessment records and noting how much they have achieved. The childminder also encourages them to try new activities and to persevere when they find things difficult. This aids children in developing their determination and the positive emotional attitudes that support them when they start school. The childminder organises indoor resources well so that they are accessible, enabling children to make independent choices. Children are not always able to make as many choices and fully extend their play in the garden as resources are not as freely accessible.

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Outcomes for children are good

The childminder uses purposeful teaching methods and supports all children well so that they make good progress. Children respond positively to her good interactions and are expressive and confident in their own interactions. They develop good communication skills and this prepares them well for the next stage in their learning.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY219232 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 855737 Type of provision Childminder Day care type Childminder Age range of children 0 - 17 Total number of places 6 Number of children on roll 2

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Name of provider

Date of previous inspection 30 March 2009

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Telephone number

The childminder was registered in 2002 and lives in Borehamwood. She operates all year round from 7am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, except for bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder provides funded early education for two-, 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 reuse this information (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. To view this licence, visit www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/, write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk .

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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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