Childminder in Hertfordshire

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 18 September 2015 Not applicable

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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 welcomes children's views to inform her planning and tailors activities to suit their preferred style of learning. Children learn quickly how toys work, using their imagination as they become involved in role play with the childminder.  The well-qualified childminder supports children's speech and language skills, she uses a clear tone of voice and offers frequent praise for their contributions. Children learn new words rapidly and express their likes and dislikes from a young age.  Children's well-being is promoted. The childminder gathers detailed care information when children first start, helping them experience a smooth move into her home. She completes a daily diary to support the two-way flow of information with parents and ensure children's individual needs are met.  Meals are balanced and nutritious, and complemented by the freshly-laid eggs the children collect from the childminder's hens. In addition, children have many

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This provision is good

opportunities for outdoor learning within a safe and supervised environment to promote their good health.  Partnerships with parents are well established. Parents contribute information about what children know and can do, and are aware of the activities children take part in so they can extend their learning at home.

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It is not yet outstanding because:

 Occasionally, the childminder steps in too readily to redirect children's play without allowing them sufficient time to determine and enjoy their own chosen games.  Opportunities for children to learn about the cultures and traditions of other communities and families are not fully explored.

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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 teaching practice so that it is highly responsive to children's direction of play and consider timely moments to extend the learning  provide even more opportunities for children to fully embrace the experiences of communities and families beyond their own.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector observed children's activities indoors and outdoors. She talked to the childminder and 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 through discussions on the day and recently completed questionnaires.  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 completes effective self-evaluation to identify her strengths and areas for improvement. Future plans to implement and evaluate newly purchased resources are in place to further enhance children's communication and language development. This follows a review of the learning programmes and the progress different groups of children make. In addition, the childminder has secured the use of a local allotment. She aims to offer further activities to help increase children's understanding of growth and decay. The arrangements for safeguarding are effective. The childminder is aware of her responsibility to protect the welfare of the children in her care and ensure the suitability of any adults they come into contact with. She uses the internet and her established links with other providers to ensure she meets all the requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage and other government requirements.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

The childminder has a secure knowledge of how to promote the learning and development requirements. Children choose freely from a wide range of interesting experiences, planned to build upon their current interests. This leads to even the youngest of children maintaining their attention span for long periods of time. However, occasionally, the childminder appears overly-keen as she joins in to extend children's play. This results in interruptions to the direction of children's chosen games. The childminder completes purposeful observations and welcomes information from the schools that children attend to support their next steps in learning.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are good

Children relish their time with the childminder and have developed secure attachments to her. They are self-assured, eager to learn and explore the stimulating environment with confidence. Children show independence as they assess and manage their own risks. The childminder offers clear guidance on her rules and boundaries in the home. This helps children learn appropriate behaviour, and to value and respect others. The childminder learns songs in children's home language and uses relevant books to support children who speak an additional language. However, she has not fully used opportunities to explore the cultural traditions of the children in her care to provide an even wider range of learning experiences. Hygiene procedures are robust as the childminder follows strict care practices to reduce the risk of cross-infection.

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Outcomes for children are good

The childminder completes regular detailed assessments of children. This enables her to identify and quickly address any gaps in their learning and development. As a result, children make good overall progress and develop the key skills needed in readiness for school.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY442201 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 959445 Type of provision Childminder Day care type Childminder Age range of children 0 - 11 Total number of places 6 Number of children on roll 2

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Name of provider

Date of previous inspection Not applicable

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Telephone number

The childminder was registered in 2012 and lives in Letchworth Garden City. She operates all year round predominantly from 8am to 5.30pm, Monday to Friday, except for family holidays. The childminder is available for additional hours and bank holidays through prior arrangement. She holds an appropriate qualification at level 3. The childminder provides funded early education for three- and four-year-old children and supports children who speak English as an additional language.

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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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