Childminder in Hertfordshire

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 16 September 2015 1 May 2012

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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 qualified childminder demonstrates a secure understanding of the learning and development requirements. Teaching is good. She recognises activities of interest and extends these to support children's continued engagement.  The childminder promotes children's communication and language development; children eagerly share their home experiences and voice opinions with confidence. Younger children listen to the childminder's clear tone and begin to use single words.  Parents are fully involved in their children's learning from the outset. They work closely with the childminder to establish children's starting points and support children to achieve their next steps in learning. Parents express how happy they are with the safe, nurturing environment that the childminder provides.  Children demonstrate good writing skills; they access a wide range of materials and concentrate for long periods as they skilfully complete detailed drawings.

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This provision is good

 The childminder prepares a range of freshly cooked meals, taking into account children's likes and dislikes. In addition, she organises a wide range of outdoor trips and experiences to promote children's all-round good health and well-being.

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It is not yet outstanding because:

 The childminder does not use every available opportunity to promote younger children's mathematical development and understanding of shape and size.  Partnerships with other agencies are not fully effective to support children with additional learning needs to reach their highest levels of achievement.

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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

 provide even more opportunities for younger children to develop their understanding of shape and size  make better use of the good partnerships with other agencies to support children with additional learning needs to make substantial and sustained progress that leads to outstanding achievement.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector observed children's activities indoors and during the lunchtime routine. She talked to the childminder and the children at appropriate times throughout the inspection.  The inspector observed adult-led activities and jointly discussed the intentions and learning outcomes of these with the childminder.  The inspector sampled the childminder's documentation, including policies, a self- evaluation form, training certificates and children's learning journals.  The inspector took account of the views of parents and children through a selection of written feedback.  The inspector saw evidence of the suitability of all persons living on the premises and other documentation in relation to the safeguarding and welfare requirements.

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management is good

The childminder has successfully addressed both of her previous recommendations. She uses self-evaluation effectively to reflect upon her practice and she welcomes the views of both parents and children in this process. The childminder reviews the learning programmes that she provides to ensure all groups of children enjoy equal opportunities. In addition, she now uses observations of children purposefully to identify their next steps in learning and inform her weekly plans. The arrangements for safeguarding are effective. The childminder is aware of her role to protect the welfare of children; she is aware of the relevant agencies to contact should she have any concerns. The childminder uses the internet and support of other childminders to keep her knowledge up to date. She understands her responsibility to implement the Early Years Foundation Stage and other government requirements.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

Children enjoy a wide range of challenging activities in line with their stage of development. The childminder notes the current interests of children to plan exciting opportunities that they take part in. For example, children have embraced the recent theme of a weekly baking competition and take pride in their achievements, which they share with family members. Older children learn valuable mathematical skills through activities involving measurement and weight. However, the childminder does not always embrace opportunities to teach the younger children about shape and size. The childminder builds productive relationships with the schools that children in her care attend. She supports children with homework tasks and supervises them as they use technology to source information on current school projects. This enables children to experience continuity in their learning.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are good

Children enjoy their time with the childminder and have developed secure attachments to all family members. They seek comfort as needed and squeal with delight as she extends and repeats the activities that they enjoy. Therefore, children develop confidence and become self-assured as they explore new environments, such as the weekly groups that they attend. Children play well alongside others and feel valued as they share their home cultures and celebrate customs that are important to them. The childminder promotes good behaviour and follows a regular daily routine. This helps children learn about appropriate ways in which to behave. Children demonstrate good self-help skills; they manage toileting needs independently, and choose and prepare their own lunch.

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Outcomes for children are good

All children make good progress and are developing the key skills needed as they move on to the next stage in their learning and school. However, the childminder has not fully utilised her good relationships with other agencies to focus more specifically on enhancing the development of children with additional learning needs to the highest level.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY357101 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 857519 Type of provision Childminder Day care type Childminder Age range of children 0 - 13 Total number of places 6 Number of children on roll 13

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Telephone number

The childminder was registered in 2007 and lives in Welwyn Garden City. She operates all year round from 7.15am to 6.30pm, 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

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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