Childminder in Hertfordshire

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 2 December 2015 26 January 2011

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This inspection: Outstanding 1

Effectiveness of the leadership and management Outstanding 1

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This inspection: Outstanding 1

Quality of teaching, learning and assessment Outstanding 1

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This inspection: Outstanding 1

Personal development, behaviour and welfare Outstanding 1

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This provision is outstanding

 The childminder makes exceptional use of her childcare qualification to underpin her work. She is an excellent role model to her assistant and offers her frequent supervision and highly practical support. This enables the assistant to continue to develop her practice and to work alongside the childminder in providing extremely high-quality childcare.  The childminder attends an excellent range of training. She meticulously evaluates what she has learned and uses her new knowledge to benefit children. For example, she now makes even greater use of her assessments of children's progress to ensure she is always doing her utmost to promote their individual development.  Children engage in an exciting variety of play opportunities that are securely informed by their interests and which encourage them to try new experiences. Children reflect the childminder's enthusiasm and calm, determined nature. They have highly positive

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This provision is outstanding

attitudes and are exceptionally well prepared for school.  The meticulous checking of children's progress enables the childminder to swiftly note and address any weaker areas in their learning. For instance, she extended the use of resources and daily play opportunities focused on mathematics. This led to children's greater understanding and is now a stronger area of their learning.  Parents report that they hold the childminder in the highest regard and greatly appreciate her excellent communication and inventive teaching methods. The childminder supports parents exceptionally well in extending their children's learning at home. For example, frequent newsletters give practical details about activities.  Children enjoy using nearby facilities and participate in local events, such as community den building. They exchange postcards with other minded children around the country. These thoughtful, realistic activities help children to understand wider society and to

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This provision is outstanding

realise that they can play a positive part in this.

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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

 exploit the opportunities for children to gain an even greater understanding of the uses of information and communication technology.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector observed the quality of teaching during activities inside and outdoors, and assessed the impact this has on children's learning. She talked with the childminder, her assistant and children at appropriate times throughout the inspection.  The inspector talked with the childminder about how she supervises her assistant and examined associated documentation.  The inspector looked at children's assessment records, planning documentation and evidence of the suitability of household members and the assistant. 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 outstanding

The childminder has an excellent knowledge of the Early Years Foundation Stage and ensures that she consistently meets all requirements. Arrangements for safeguarding are effective. The childminder and her assistant frequently complete additional training, so that they can promote children's welfare at all times. Comprehensive risk assessments and the thorough reviewing of accidents further promote children's safety. The childminder's improved methods of self-evaluation enable her to accurately identify areas to enhance even further. She has recognised the potential to offer children extended opportunities to explore the uses of information and communication technology. The childminder exchanges detailed information with other childcare settings that children attend. This helps her to ensure that children are not upset as they move between settings and that their learning is consistently promoted.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is outstanding

The childminder's meticulous attention to detail means that children access interesting resources that support them in exploring independently. Children eagerly use their explorer's kit. They develop their finer physical skills as they use pipettes to transfer water. They extend their understanding of the world as they use compasses, competently stating compass points. The childminder's excellent planning means that she offers children excellent learning opportunities wherever they play. Children take treasure-hunt cards into the garden and use their reading skills as they follow the directions on each card. When they find an insect, they run inside to look this up in a book. This inspires them to remember the butterflies they hatched and they talk about the pupa and chrysalis stages. The childminder makes highly effective use of assessment information, introducing innovative resources that support children of all ages. Children investigate bags that

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is outstanding

contain exciting items, such as calculators and books of raffle tickets, which aid them in developing their mathematical skills.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are outstanding

The childminder obtains comprehensive information from parents about children's needs and their ongoing development at home. She is the key person for each child, offering a consistent approach, so that they quickly settle. The childminder passes on all information to her assistant, so that children feel very secure and comfortable with both adults. Children respond positively to the childminder's sensitive encouragement, persevering at tasks and eagerly initiating new challenges. Excellent daily procedures support children in understanding their own learning. For example, they build a model and, with the childminder's help, review each of the stages in the process. These thoughtful daily interactions build children's self-esteem and reinforce their emotional stability, providing a firm foundation upon which to develop their future learning.

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Outcomes for children are outstanding

The childminder provides an exciting, stimulating environment that inspires children to learn. Her highly perceptive teaching methods support all children in making excellent progress, therefore, preparing them exceptionally well for school.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY403255 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 849927 Type of provision Childminder Day care type Childminder Registers Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register Age range of children 0 - 7 Total number of places 12 Number of children on roll 8

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Name of provider

Date of previous inspection 26 January 2011

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Telephone number

The childminder was registered in 2010 and lives in Letchworth. She operates all year round from 7.45am to 5pm, Monday to Thursday, except for bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder holds an appropriate qualification at level 3. She works with an assistant on a part-time basis.

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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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