Childminder in Hertfordshire

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 30 November 2015 21 March 2011

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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 uses many different ways to share information with parents about children's learning. Parents enjoy reading the regular newsletters that the childminder provides for them.  The childminder promotes children's communication and language skills extremely well. She uses methods learnt at recent training to help her plan activities that are rich in language and help to extend children's vocabulary. Children make rapid progress in this aspect of their learning.  Children who are more able make especially good progress. Activities offer extensive challenge and the childminder effectively motivates children to test out what they know and can do.  Older children are very considerate and aware of the needs and feelings of younger children. They show great empathy and understanding about ways that they can help the childminder to keep themselves and the younger children safe.  The childminder is caring and affectionate with the children. The children form close

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This provision is good

bonds of attachment with the childminder and appear confident and happy.

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It is not yet outstanding because:

 The childminder's professional development is not sharply focused enough on gaining a secure knowledge of recent changes in legislation and practice that further improve the well-being of children.  The childminder does not provide enough opportunities for children to learn about similarities and differences in the world beyond their immediate experiences.

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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 focus of professional development to take account of recent best practice and further raise the quality of care.  provide more opportunities for children to learn about diversity and equality.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector observed the quality of teaching during activities indoors and assessed the impact this has on children's learning.  The inspector discussed a planned activity with the childminder.  The inspector held discussions with the childminder at suitable times. She looked at relevant documentation, such as the childminder's self-evaluation and evidence of the suitability of the childminder, assistant and household members.  The inspector read and took account of the written feedback provided by parents.

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management is good

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective. The childminder has a good awareness of child protection issues and undertakes regular training. She carries out assessments of the areas where children play to help minimise any possible risks they might encounter. The childminder undertakes frequent training and uses her knowledge to review and improve some aspects of the care that she provides for children. The childminder has successfully addressed the recommendation from the previous inspection. The childminder is well-qualified and has a secure understanding about children's development. The childminder forms close, professional relationships with children and their families. Parents praise her work and highlight how pleased they are with their children's progress. The childminder works well with teachers to assist children's preparation for moving on to school when the time arrives.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

The childminder plans exciting activities for children in her care that they enjoy. When children first start she talks with parents and carries out observations to determine their individual starting points. The childminder tracks children's progress effectively. She shares regular information about children's learning with parents. The childminder understands the ways that children develop and knows each child's individual interests. She plans activities that enhance the various aspects of children's learning, and that are creative and fun. For example, children of all ages enjoy threading small wooden cars onto laces and sticks as they practise using and controlling the small muscles in their hands. They develop their interest by counting the cars, looking at the different colours and then finding other suitable items to include in their threading.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are good

The childminder's warm, relaxed and caring attitude helps children to settle quickly into her care. Children learn about being healthy. Children enjoy playing at local indoor play areas and attending toddler groups where they meet with other children of a similar age. The childminder has a very good understanding about children's individual dietary needs and works closely with parents to support these. Children learn about the feelings of others. They show patience and a caring attitude towards each other. Their high self- esteem is evident as they proudly show the pictures they have drawn, and the things they have made, which are on display in the childminder's home.

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Outcomes for children are good

Children are making consistently good progress in their learning and development due to the good quality teaching they experience. The childminder places a sharp focus on helping children to develop the skills that they need in readiness for starting school.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 129709 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 854199 Type of provision Childminder Day care type Childminder Registers Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register Age range of children 1 - 6 Total number of places 6 Number of children on roll 7

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Name of provider

Date of previous inspection 21 March 2011

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Telephone number

The childminder was registered in 1995 and lives in Tring. She is registered to work with an assistant, but does not currently do so. The childminder operates all year round from 7am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, except bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder holds an appropriate childcare 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

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our website for news, information and updates at www.ofsted.gov.uk/user.

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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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