Childminder in Hertfordshire

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 8 December 2015 2 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 offers good quality teaching. She understands how younger children develop and provides a range of interesting experiences. The childminder makes frequent observations of children which build towards a clear record of assessment and help her to meet children's individual learning needs.  The childminder promotes children's well-being very effectively. She works hard to form close bonds with parents and children during settling-in periods, quickening their feeling of security.  Children help to prepare activities to welcome others who are new to the setting. For example, they visit the library to find books for children about things they are interested in, such as dinosaurs. Children extend their social awareness and learn to care for others.  Children explore the natural world around them. The childminder provides time for them to search for insects and living creatures. They enjoy walks by a brook and in

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This provision is good

woodland areas and collect natural materials to feel and use in creative and imaginative ways.

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It is not yet outstanding because:

 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.  The childminder does not work as effectively as possible with all other settings that children attend, to ensure continuity in children's learning and enhance their progress even further.

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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

 make better use of ongoing information from parents about their children's learning and development at home  build on the partnerships with other childcare settings that children attend to more effectively support continuity in their learning.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector observed the quality of teaching during activities and assessed the impact this has on children's learning, and spoke with the childminder and children at appropriate times throughout the inspection.  The inspector looked at a range of documentation, including policies, evidence of the suitability of household members, observation and assessment documentation, and the safeguarding procedures.  The inspector observed a planned activity and jointly evaluated this with the childminder.  The inspector read and took account of the views of parents as provided in documentation.  The inspector reviewed the childminder's self-evaluation methods and record.

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management is good

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective. The childminder has robust knowledge of child protection procedures and how to report concerns. The childminder is motivated to sustain her knowledge and continue to raise standards. She undertakes research regularly to help her to keep up to date with changes to legislation as part of her reflective self-evaluation. The childminder is committed to continuous improvement. She has completed an extensive training programme that has included, for example, sessions on creative play, relationships and programmes focused on how boys learn. These courses, and her work within a local childminder network group, help to underpin the childminder's very good practice. Parents value the childminder. They comment that she is excellent, informative and meets the complex working needs of families well.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

The enthusiastic childminder provides well-planned activities to support children's learning. She models new vocabulary and pronounces words clearly. The youngest children repeat the words they hear and the childminder gives them time to think and talk. This helps children to develop good communication skills. Children choose how they wish to do things and show excellent motivation. When making faces of Santa, the childminder skilfully helps children to plan which materials they wish to use. She talks with them about what they are planning to do, showing that she respects their ideas. Children select and share books together. The childminder gently questions children and helps them to consider what they are reading to extend their development of literacy skills. Children have opportunities to learn about the similarities and differences between themselves and others. The childminder talks to children about their families and the languages they speak

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

at home. This helps to broaden their interest in the world around them.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are good

Children respond to the childminder's calm, caring approach. She acts as a good role model to aid children in developing positive attitudes towards others. 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 works closely with parents to make sure that any dietary needs are met and to help to support children's good health. She enables parents to supply meals if they choose, as well as cooking for children where required. Children are active. They attend many social groups with the childminder and they learn to build their confidence within new settings and larger groups. This contributes toward their emotional security in readiness for starting school.

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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 closely and plans activities that engage and motivate them to learn. This helps children to acquire and practise the skills needed for the next step in their learning, including school.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 149531 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 854247 Type of provision Childminder Day care type Childminder Registers Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register Age range of children 0 - 4 Total number of places 6 Number of children on roll 4

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Name of provider

Date of previous inspection 2 March 2011

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Telephone number

The childminder was registered in 1996 and lives in Hitchin. She operates all year round from 8am to 6pm, 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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