Childminder in Hertfordshire

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 26 October 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 spends time meeting with parents prior to children's placement. She uses this opportunity to find out important information about each child's level of development with regard to their starting points. This exchange of information is ongoing throughout the placement.  The childminder's good monitoring systems mean that she is able to identify any children who need additional support. This ensures that all children are effectively supported to make good progress in their learning.  Children are supported to move around freely in the childminder's home. This is because she has taken the time to organise the play-space well. As a result, the children are able to explore a wide variety of learning opportunities at a pace which suits them.  Children demonstrate good levels of emotional security. They have developed close bonds with the childminder, helping to promote their feelings of safety and well-being.

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This provision is good

 Partnership working with other settings that children attend are good. Information about children's development is regularly exchanged and this encourages continuity in their learning.

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It is not yet outstanding because:

 The childminder does not always make the most of partnership working with parents to help them support their children's learning at home.  On occasions, the childminder misses opportunities to help younger children develop their understanding of how to keep themselves healthy.

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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 more information for parents to support them to extend children's learning at home  provide more opportunities for younger children to learn about why it is important to keep themselves healthy.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector observed the quality of teaching during activities and assessed the impact this has on children's development and progress.  The inspector completed a joint observation with the childminder relating to the children's play and learning.  The inspector looked at relevant documentation, such as evidence of the suitability of all adults living or working in the household and the childminder's relevant training certificates.  The records shared with parents, such as, contracts, policies and procedures were reviewed by the inspector.  The inspector read and took account of the written reviews that parents had provided to the childminder.

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management is good

The childminder has a good understanding of the requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage. She works alongside her assistant and the parents to evaluate the service provided. This ensures that the childminder targets improvements that effectively meet the specific needs of children and their families. The childminder provides her assistant with regular supervision meetings, which helps to support her professional development. The childminder and her assistant have attended a good range of training opportunities. This ensures that they continue to develop their knowledge and understanding. This attention to detail has a positive impact of the quality of care and teaching they provide for children. The arrangements for safeguarding are effective. There is a clear policy and procedure in place. The childminder knows what action she must take if she has any concerns about a child in her care.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

The quality of teaching is good. The childminder provides a range of stimulating activities to promote children's interest in learning. She completes regular observations of children as they play. She then uses this information to effectively assess and plan activities to meet their individual learning needs. The childminder provides lots of opportunities for children to develop their communication and language skills. Children show concentration and focus as they spend time looking at a pictures in a book. They are able to identify a range of facial features and excitedly recognise that they have a mouth too. This shows that children are clearly developing a sense of self. Parents share information about some of their child's achievements outside of the setting. However, they are not consistently provided with information about how to support children's learning at home, across all areas of learning.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are good

The childminder provides children with a welcoming environment in which they can safely learn. There is a good range of resources from which children can easily help themselves. Children's well-being is effectively promoted. Even very young children learn to be independent. For example, they peel their own orange at snack time and cut their banana ready to eat at lunchtime. Children behave very well, responding to the childminder's positive approach and expectations for their good behaviour. They have the chance to spend time outdoors to enjoy fresh air and exercise. The childminder provides children with opportunities to learn about risk and how to stay safe. They respond well to discussions about how to safely use a booster step while helping to prepare lunch. The childminder provides a good range of opportunities for children to spend time with and learn about people in their local community.

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Outcomes for children are good

All children make good progress relative to their starting points. They engage in play and are learning skills, which prepare them for well their next stage of development and eventual move to school.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY483700 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 1005039 Type of provision Childminder Day care type Childminder Age range of children 1 - 8 Total number of places 8 Number of children on roll 13

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Name of provider

Date of previous inspection Not applicable

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Telephone number

The childminder was registered in 2015 and lives in Knebworth. She operates all year round from 7am to 7pm, Monday to Friday, except for bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder works with her daughter who is her assistant.

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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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