Childminder in Hertfordshire

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 15 September 2015 2 October 2008

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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 has attained a childcare qualification and uses her knowledge from this and other training to benefit children. For example, she now offers children additional activities that help promote their creativity.  Children make good progress and the childminder prepares them well for school as she uses effective teaching methods. Children participate in interesting play, closely relates to their interests and developmental needs. They are excited about their play and eager to learn.  Children develop a good awareness of differences and learn how to communicate and interact appropriately. The childminder encourages them to express their ideas, listen to each other and respect the views of others.  The childminder works well with parents. She uses monthly information sheets to tell them about the activities she is planning and to offer ideas to build on these at home, helping parents to extend their children's learning.

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This provision is good

 The childminder frequently checks children's progress and acts promptly to address any weaker areas. For example, she now offers additional support to younger children in developing their speech.

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It is not yet outstanding because:

 The childminder does not always make full use of information from parents regarding their children's progress at home in order to enrich activity planning.  Younger children cannot always make independent choices or fully extend their play as the childminder does not organise indoor resources as well as possible.

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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 greater use of ongoing information from parents regarding their child's learning and development at home  enhance the organisation of indoor resources to enable younger children to make further independent choices and extend their own play.

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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 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 uses her good knowledge of the Early Years Foundation Stage to ensure that she meets all requirements. Children's care is consistent as the childminder exchanges information with other childcare settings that they attend. The arrangements for safeguarding are effective. The childminder regularly completes training to refresh her knowledge and makes sure that she fully understands how to report any concerns about children. The childminder's improved self-evaluation procedures enable her to make relevant changes to her practice. She now offers children more learning experiences in her garden. Children develop their knowledge of living things as they grow plants and vegetables. They then talk about healthy eating as they harvest and cook the vegetables.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

The childminder observes children as they play and updates her assessments of them. She now makes more effective use of this information to inform her planning. For example, after observing young children collecting objects together, the childminder offers them additional resources. Children learn to sort and count as they carefully select coloured shapes and toy figures and transfer them to different containers. However, the childminder does not always make full use of parents' updates to inform her assessments and support her in promoting children's development to the maximum. The childminder makes good use of children's interests as a way of extending their learning. For example, children take delight in dressing up as builders and using tools and building materials. They read the laminated site signs and eagerly note these when they walk past a real building site. These activities help to promote children's creativity, their understanding of

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

the world around them and their early reading skills.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are good

The childminder's good understanding of children's physical and emotional needs means that children quickly settle and build secure bonds with her. She supports them in understanding how to keep safe. For example, they learn to use tools, such as scissors and cutlery, safely. The childminder encourages children to be kind to each other and to be aware of how their actions affect others. She praises both their efforts and achievements. This helps children to believe in their own abilities and develop secure emotional attitudes in readiness for starting school. The childminder organises the outdoor environment well. Children love lifting the different lids in the decked area and exploring the hidden containers of stones, sand and soil. However, they sometimes have less stimulating opportunities to make independent choices and extend their play indoors.

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Outcomes for children are good

The childminder uses her knowledge and experience to support all children so they make good progress. Children enjoy their time with the childminder and her caring and positive approach nurtures their confidence and self-esteem. They develop good social skills that support them when they move on to the next stage in their learning.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY366943 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 857817 Type of provision Childminder Day care type Childminder Age range of children 0 - 12 Total number of places 6 Number of children on roll 7

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Name of provider

Date of previous inspection 2 October 2008

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Telephone number

The childminder was registered in 2008 and lives in Borehamwood. She operates all year round from 8am to 5.45pm, 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

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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