Childminder in Hertfordshire

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 2 September 2015 25 January 2011

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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

 Teaching is good. The childminder accurately assesses children's development and provides a range of challenging experiences that meet their individual learning needs. Children are well prepared for school.  The childminder works well with other settings to share information and plan for learning and development consistency to enhance children's learning.  Children thrive in this stimulating setting where they are eager to try new experiences. They select resources independently, are engaged and lead their learning from a young age. Children take responsibility for putting their toys away when they have finished with them and care for the materials that they use.  The childminder promotes children's well-being very well. Flexible settling-in routines are offered. Parents and children spend time in the childminder's home and she visits them in their own homes before they begin attending her setting. Children use this time

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This provision is good

and support to form close bonds with the childminder.  Children carry out activities that support their developing understanding of how to keep themselves safe, such as risk assessments. They demonstrate that they can assess risks for themselves during their play. For example, they build obstacle courses together and explain how their arrangement of the objects will make them safe to use.

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It is not yet outstanding because:

 The childminder does not always make the best use of information from parents about their children's achievements at home, in order to enrich the planning of activities so that children make rapid progress.  Children do not have regular opportunities to become involved in sharing and telling stories.

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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 ongoing information from parents about their children's learning and development at home  extend the range of opportunities for children to explore reading and telling stories to maximise their literacy development.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector observed the quality of teaching during activities indoors and outdoors and assessed the impact this has on children's learning.  The inspector observed activities in the childminder's house and talked with the childminder and children at appropriate times throughout the inspection.  The inspector looked at a range of documentation, including policies, evidence of the suitability of household members, observation and assessment documentation and the safeguarding procedures.  The inspector observed a planned activity and jointly evaluated this with the childminder.  The inspector took account of the views of parents as provided in documentation.  The inspector discussed with the childminder her methods of reflective practice.

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management is good

The well-qualified childminder demonstrates that she understands her responsibilities in meeting the safeguarding and welfare requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage. She reads updates and uses these to inform her policies so that they support her in meeting all of the requirements. The childminder evaluates her practice and attends training to help her to continue supporting children's learning and development. She reviews children's progress through her observations and assessments and completes a detailed progress check for children between the ages of two and three years. This helps her to review each child's achievements. Safeguarding is effective. The childminder has a thorough knowledge of safeguarding issues and updates this by completing relevant training. She considers every aspect of children's welfare and promotes this well.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

The childminder understands the learning and development requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage. She observes children and updates her assessments of them. The childminder offers high-quality information about their learning to parents regularly. She provides information about activities that she plans and how these will foster children's progress. However, she does not always make full use of updates from parents to support her in planning for their children's development even more precisely. Children confidently use simple mathematics during their play, such as adding or taking away by one. The childminder places a good focus on supporting children's language. Children play in an environment that is rich in labels, words and letters. They use a wide selection of materials to make marks and to start to write with, such as chalks or brushes with water. However, children have fewer opportunities to engage with, and play a role in, storytelling

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

to optimise their reading development and literacy.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are good

Children respond to the childminder's calm and caring approach. They learn that their opinions are valued and take part in voting for activities for them to complete as a group. The childminder is a very good role model and, as a result, children treat each other with respect. They discuss the rules for the setting to embed their understanding of kind behaviour. Children make full use of the provision provided outdoors to extend their learning. They compare the lengths of ribbons that they attach to lines with pegs and they feel the large, tactile letters placed around the garden. They gain an understanding of the links between the growth of foods they eat and their health. For example, children plant vegetables, such as beans and carrots, alongside herbs that they use in their outdoor kitchen area.

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Outcomes for children are good

All children make good progress. They are motivated to learn and engage in planned activities. Children become excited as they take part in treasure hunts, searching for coloured objects to place on matching spots. They sort items, demonstrate persistence and work together to fill all the available spaces.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY288361 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 861308 Type of provision Childminder Day care type Childminder Age range of children 0 - 11 Total number of places 6 Number of children on roll 9

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Name of provider

Date of previous inspection 25 January 2011

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Telephone number

The childminder was registered in 2004 and lives in Stevenage. She operates all year round from 7am to 5.30pm, Monday to Friday, except for bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder holds an appropriate 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

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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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