Childminder, Out-of school day care in Hertfordshire

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 7 December 2015 7 July 2009

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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 is reflective and continuously evaluates her practice to improve outcomes for all children. She regularly consults with parents and children to ensure their views are included. She uses what she learns to make effective enhancements. Therefore, children benefit from a high-quality learning environment.  The experienced childminder establishes strong, warm relationships with children, who show that they feel secure and confident in her care. For example, younger children smile and snuggle up to her as they become tired. Older children turn to her for reassurance when needed and welcome visitors to join in with their play.  The childminder promotes children's communication and language development very well. She models effective listening skills and builds upon children's vocabulary by teaching them the pronunciation of the new words they attempt to say.  Children are active and inquisitive learners. They engage in a wide range of interesting

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This provision is good

and exciting learning experiences. For example, they have immense fun using their whole bodies to explore the texture of crispy Autumn leaves during nature walks. They also enjoy learning about the life cycles of animals during regular visits to a farm with the childminder.

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It is not yet outstanding because:

 On occasion, the childminder does not provide children with opportunities to think of ways to solve problems in order to develop their thinking skills.  The initial information about children's learning obtained from parents is not sufficiently detailed to fully support early identification of children's precise learning needs.

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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

 engage children in more opportunities to develop their own ideas and thinking  extend the level of initial information obtained from parents to include further detail of children's development, to plan even more precisely for their continued progress from an early stage.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector observed the quality of teaching during indoor and outdoor activities and assessed the impact this has on children's learning.  The inspector spoke to the childminder and children at appropriate times.  The inspector observed a planned activity and jointly discussed this with the childminder.  The inspector looked at children's assessment records, a selection of policies, safety procedures and required documentation.  The inspector looked at evidence of the suitability of the childminder and her husband.  The inspector took account of the written views of parents.  The inspector reviewed how the childminder evaluates her setting to continually improve outcomes for children.

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management is good

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective. For example, the childminder shares her strict code of conduct in relation to the use of mobile phones with visitors to her home. Furthermore, she knows how to swiftly meet children's needs in the event of a child protection concern. The childminder demonstrates a strong commitment to continue to develop her knowledge. She attends training and shares good practice with other childminders. As a result of attending a course on healthy eating for young children, the childminder now uses these skills to support children's awareness of healthy eating. She has also reviewed the range and portion sizes of the home-cooked nutritional meals and snacks she provides. The childminder carefully reviews the learning programmes to ensure that any gaps in children's learning are swiftly addressed.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

The well-qualified childminder's knowledge of the children is gained through her detailed observations of their achievements and accurate assessments. This enables her to identify their next steps in learning. Overall, the quality of teaching is good. The childminder's genuine interest in children's play and her consistent praise motivates them to complete activities. Older children develop superb control and coordination of their hands as they make marks with tools in a shallow tray of sand. This helps to support their early writing skills. The childminder uses action songs to introduce children to mathematical ideas and number names in a fun and engaging way. Children use toys linked to the songs. They count how many are left each time one is taken away. Younger children use their hands and mouths to explore the sensation of different shaped ice blocks. Daily communication with parents means that they are well informed of their child's progress and how to

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

support their learning at home. Parents are full of praise for the service the childminder provides. They comment on her dedication to her role and her fun and playful manner.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are good

Children's artwork is beautifully displayed within the childminder's home, helping them to feel very much part of her family. Children make independent choices from a wide range of good quality toys and activities. The childminder is a very good role model. She consistently reinforces good manners and helps children to respect their environment. Regular visits to activity groups with the childminder provide children with opportunities to develop an understanding of the wider community. This also helps to prepare them for their move to school, as they become familiar with mixing in larger groups of children. Children follow a strict hygiene routine and know why they need to wash their hands before eating and coming in from the garden. They have good opportunities to develop physical skills in the childminder's inviting garden and during frequent visits to local parks.

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Outcomes for children are good

All children make good progress in their learning in readiness for school. Successful partnership working with the schools that children move on to enables them to be emotionally and developmentally well prepared.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY299419 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 848860 Type of provision Childminder Day care type Childminder Registers Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register Age range of children 1 - 10 Total number of places 6 Number of children on roll 6

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Telephone number

The childminder was registered in 2004 and lives in Welwyn. She operates from 7.30am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, during term time only. The childminder holds an appropriate childcare qualification at level 4.

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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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