Childminder in Hertfordshire

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 2 November 2015 24 April 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 childminder's effective teaching methods support children in making good progress and prepare them well for school. Her improved activity planning means that children enjoy a wide variety of activities that reflect their interests. This promotes their positive attitudes to play and they are eager to learn.  The childminder works well with parents and helps them extend their children's learning. For example, she uses electronic communication to offer parents individual ideas for activities to try at home.  Children enjoy using local facilities, such as the library and children's centre, which help them understand their community. In turn, this encourages their inquisitiveness about differences in the wider world and helps them understand how they can play a positive role in society.  The childminder works well with other childcare providers in order to extend children's learning. For example, children learn to recognise letters and write their names as they

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This provision is good

use resources that complement those they use in nursery school.  The childminder attends training and uses her new knowledge well to benefit children. She now offers them additional activities that help them to use and build on their mathematical skills.

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It is not yet outstanding because:

 The childminder does not always make the most of all opportunities to support children in fully developing their skills in critical thinking.  Younger children cannot always make independent choices and fully extend their play indoors as the childminder does not organise all 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

 extend the opportunities for children to think critically during activities and discussions  enhance the organisation of indoor toys and resources to enable younger children to make further independent choices and extend their play.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector observed the quality of teaching during activities and assessed the impact this has on children's learning.  The inspector viewed the garden and areas of the home used for childminding.  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 has a good understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage and ensures that she consistently meets all requirements. The arrangements for safeguarding are effective. The childminder completes training to refresh her knowledge of this area and to make sure she fully understands the process to report any concerns about children's welfare. The childminder has improved her procedures for self-evaluation. She makes good use of this information to inform improvements, such as the addition of new equipment that supports children in exploring the natural environment. The childminder's efficient checking of children's progress enables her to quickly note and address any weaker areas of their learning.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

The childminder interacts well with children, encouraging their language skills and reinforcing their knowledge. For example, children playing with a farm set talk about seeing a combine harvester. The childminder helps them to remember what this does and what can be made from the different cereals harvested. The childminder makes good use of practical opportunities to support children in understanding how to use information technology. Before making a bonfire collage, children look up related images on the computer, inspiring them to talk about the different colours and fire safety. The childminder makes resources that appeal to children and uses these as one of the ways of attracting and maintaining their attention. For example, children develop an interest in books and reading as they use wooden spoon puppets to illustrate a favourite story that the childminder reads to them. The childminder then builds on children's mathematical

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are good

The childminder's effective communication with parents supports her in building a good understanding of children's needs. She takes account of these in daily routines and activities, thereby helping children to feel welcome and comfortable. They build warm relationships with the childminder, laughing and chattering with her as they play. Children learn how to keep themselves healthy. For example, they talk about different food types and the importance of eating a balanced range of these. The childminder helps children to work together and to consider how their behaviour affects others. Children enjoy looking through their learning journeys and proudly note the progress they have made. They learn to keep trying and to master new skills as the childminder offers them lots of praise and encouragement. This helps build children's self-esteem and they develop a secure emotional stability that supports them when they start school.

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Outcomes for children are good

The childminder efficiently assesses children's starting points. She offers them each pertinent support so that they progress well. She shows children that she enjoys learning, thereby creating a positive environment that prepares children for the next stage in their learning.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY427182 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 852756 Type of provision Childminder Day care type Childminder Age range of children 0 - 12 Total number of places 6 Number of children on roll 15

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Name of provider

Date of previous inspection 24 April 2012

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Telephone number

The childminder was registered in 2011 and lives in Abbots Langley. She operates all year round from 8am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, except for bank holidays and family holidays.

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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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