Childminder, Out-of school day care in Hertfordshire

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 25 November 2015 5 May 2010

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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 teaches children well. She gives them time to engage in their learning. They love to explore a range of different materials. As children put colourful pompoms in and out of pots the childminder counts with them and talks about full and empty.  The childminder thinks about children's needs as she sets up a welcoming environment indoors. She places toys at different heights to encourage the less mobile children to pull themselves up to standing.  Children are happy and content in the childminder's care. They enjoy the freedom of playing in the garden when they choose. The childminder's secure routines help children to settle and feel at home in her care.  Children are developing good communication skills. Young children are able to make their needs clearly known to the childminder. She makes good use of different strategies, such as baby signing, to support this further.  Since her last inspection, the childminder has gained a level 3 qualification which has

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This provision is good

had a positive impact on increasing her knowledge and understanding of how children learn and develop.

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It is not yet outstanding because:

 The childminder does not always support less mobile children to explore and engage in the learning opportunities she provides outdoors.  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

 explore further ways to enable children who are less mobile to spontaneously explore and investigate the good outdoor learning opportunities provided in the garden  provide more opportunities for children to understand the experiences of communities and families beyond their own.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector observed the childminder engaging in activities with the children and, at appropriate times, jointly discussed the learning that was taking place.  The inspector viewed the areas of the premises and garden used for childminding.  The inspector looked at children's assessment records and planning documentation. Evidence of the suitability of household members and a range of other documents, including the safeguarding policy, were also seen.  The inspector took account of the views of parents and of the childminder's self- evaluation form.

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management is good

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective. The childminder demonstrates a good understanding of how to protect and safeguard children. She implements effective policies and procedures to help her promote children's safety and welfare. The childminder reflects on her practice and her ongoing professional needs. She attends regular training to update her knowledge and understanding. She now feels more confident in planning for children's next steps in learning. The childminder gains and implements the views of parents through the use of questionnaires. She reviews children's progress and the activities she provides. This helps to ensure that she recognises gaps in children's learning and she plans effective activities in order to narrow them. The childminder develops strong links with other settings that children attend. They share information about children's learning and this helps to promotes consistency in their development.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

The childminder gives children time and space to explore the toys and activities available to them indoors. The young children enjoy exploring paint. The childminder is an effective teacher. She demonstrates and talks about what she is doing as she paints alongside them. She praises children well for their pictures. Some children hold highly effective conversations with the childminder. They demonstrate high levels of understanding as they use relevant words and phrases to describe what they are doing. The childminder is aware of children's individual development levels. She generally identifies next steps in learning for children to ensure that they are consistently interested and challenged. The childminder meets with parents when they register with her. She gains clear information on what children can already do. She uses daily discussions with parents to gain information on what children enjoy and achieve at home. This helps the childminder to

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

plan activities that children are interested in.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are good

The childminder supports children well in developing the skills that they need to adopt a healthy lifestyle. She provides children with healthy snacks and meals each day. The childminder uses local parks to enable children to have fun outdoors. They use the equipment to develop their physical skills. However, at times the childminder does not give children who are less mobile the opportunity to explore and investigate the outdoor environment more freely. The childminder attends toddler groups. This helps children to socialise and to make friends with other children of their own age.

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Outcomes for children are good

Children are making good progress and in some areas are exceeding developmental expectations, especially in their communication and language development. The childminder makes good use of her activities and assessments of children's learning to develop their skills in readiness for nursery and school.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 149085 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 874935 Type of provision Childminder Day care type Childminder Registers Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register Age range of children 1 - 5 Total number of places 6 Number of children on roll 5

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Telephone number

The childminder was registered in 2001 and lives in Berkhamsted. She operates all year round from 8am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, except for bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder holds an early years 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

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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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