Childminder in Hertfordshire

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 9 December 2015 17 February 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 uses effective teaching methods to offer activities that interest children. She understands how children develop and builds on their eagerness to learn. Her accurate observations and assessments help her to plan to accommodate each child's interests and build on their achievements.  The childminder talks to children about their families, the languages they speak and celebrations that they enjoy. Well-chosen resources add to the opportunities for children to learn about the similarities and differences between themselves and others.  The childminder promotes children's well-being effectively. She works hard to form close bonds with parents and children during settling-in periods, which are flexible to their needs. This helps to establish their feelings of security and promotes learning.  Children show clear enjoyment in sharing books and stories with the childminder. They are very animated and give characters different voices as they excitedly retell parts of

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This provision is good

the story together. Children match and rhyme words with confidence. They are quickly developing an interest in reading.

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It is not yet outstanding because:

 Children do not always have sufficient time to consider what they want to say and put forward their own ideas during discussions.  The childminder does not always make the best use of information from parents about their children's achievements at home, in order to enrich the planning of activities so that children make rapid progress.

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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 more deeply and critically during discussions, sharing their ideas and responding to questions they are asked  make better use of ongoing information from parents about their children's learning and development at home.

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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. She also spoke with the childminder and children at appropriate times throughout the inspection.  The inspector looked at a range of documentation, including policies, observation and assessment documentation, and the safeguarding procedures. She also checked the suitability of household members.  The inspector observed planned activities and discussed these with the childminder.  The inspector reviewed the childminder's self-evaluation with her.

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management is good

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective. The childminder has a clear knowledge of child protection procedures. She knows the signs and symptoms that might cause her concern about children's welfare. She attends training regularly to update her knowledge and to help her to protect children. The childminder completes risk assessments to help make sure that children are safe. She contacts other settings to share information and plan for consistency in children's learning and development. The childminder is committed to continuous improvement. She has attended a wealth of training courses over several years to help underpin her practice. The childminder includes parents in her evaluation of her work. For example, she diligently addressed recommendations made at her last inspection and wrote to children's parents outlining how she intended to continue that improvement.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

The childminder provides an extensive amount of resources and activities that are challenging and extend children's thinking skills. She supports children's curiosity about what they see and hear around them. For example, children talk with the childminder about different types of homes when they see an igloo in a game. This then leads to a discussion about ice and how it is found in different places, including in drinks. Children show an avid interest in technology. They understand how to operate simple electronic games and interactive pads. Children confidently explain how they use cameras to take photographs and films of each other. The stimulating home environment is rich in labels, words and letters. Children choose games to play with the childminder and demonstrate their developing confidence with letters and sounds. They make good attempts to recognise and predict the letters at the beginning of words and match words with pictures.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are good

Children respond to the childminder's caring approach. Her sensitive support when they are sad or upset aids children in developing close bonds with her. The childminder is enthusiastic and shows her clear enjoyment when caring for and playing with children. They seek her attention and involve her in their play clearly demonstrating their emotional stability. Children love to be active. They sing and dance confidently playing popular games and sharing their enjoyment of well-known songs from children's films. Children learn that good hygiene routines are important in helping to keep them healthy; they wash their hands, with support, from an early age. The childminder is a good role model and shows children how to think about other's feelings as they play. Children enjoy responsibility; they help to prepare meals together and older children enjoy helping those younger than themselves during mealtimes.

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Outcomes for children are good

All children, including those who speak English as an additional language, make good progress given their starting points. The childminder monitors children's progress to help them acquire and practise the skills needed for the next step in their learning, including school.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY219144 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 855736 Type of provision Childminder Day care type Childminder Registers Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register Age range of children 1 - 14 Total number of places 6 Number of children on roll 9

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Name of provider

Date of previous inspection 17 February 2009

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Telephone number

The childminder was registered in 2002 and lives in Borehamwood. She operates all year round from 6.30am to 7pm, Monday to Friday, except for bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder cares for children who speak English as an additional language.

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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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