Childminder in Hertfordshire

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 16 December 2015 24 January 2011

p.1

This inspection: Good 2

Effectiveness of the leadership and management Good 2

p.1

This inspection: Good 2

Quality of teaching, learning and assessment Good 2

p.1

This inspection: Good 2

Personal development, behaviour and welfare Good 2

p.1

This provision is good

 The childminder shows a secure knowledge of how children learn. She uses her precise assessments of children to plan and consistently move them forward in their development.  Parents provide their children's food each day. The childminder, who has completed food hygiene training, ensures that this is stored safely. She uses a fridge thermometer to make certain that fresh produce is always kept at the correct temperature. This helps her to consistently promote children's well-being.  The childminder gathers detailed information about each child before they start. This includes useful details including their likes, dislikes and what they already know and can do. She uses this information along with a gradual introduction in to her home to help children experience a smooth move into her care.  The childminder organises a wide range of chances for children to spend time in the fresh air. They enjoy going out with the childminder to take her dog for a walk. Children

p.1

This provision is good

also regularly spend time playing on the all-weather surface in the childminder's garden. These activities help to promote their all-round good health.  The childminder regularly reflects on her practice. She seeks the opinion of parents through regular discussions and useful feedback questionnaires. This helps her to highlight any priorities for the future development of her service.

p.1

It is not yet outstanding because:

 Partnership working with parents does not consistently promote shared home learning, in order to extend individual children's development even further.  The childminder's professional development is not yet sharply focused on strengthening her understanding of recent changes to practice and guidance.

p.1

What the setting needs to do to improve further

To further improve the quality of the early years provision the provider should:

p.2

What the setting needs to do to improve further

 enhance children's learning experiences further by extending partnership working with parents to include more ideas about children's learning at home, in order to continue building securely on all the children know and can do  strengthen the programme of professional development to more thoroughly review practice and confidently put into place new legislation that affects work with children.

p.2

Inspection activities

 The inspector observed the quality of teaching during activities in the childminder's home and assessed the impact this has on children's learning.  The inspector and childminder completed and then discussed a joint observation of the children.  The inspector held a meeting with the nursery manager and provider. She looked at relevant documentation, such as mandatory records and evidence of the suitability of persons living in the household.  The inspector spoke to a parent and took account of other parents' views through the written feedback provided.

p.2

Effectiveness of the leadership and management is good

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective. The childminder maintains her knowledge and understanding through regular child protection training. She is aware of her responsibility to record and appropriately report any concerns that she may have about children's welfare. The childminder completes regular risk assessments of her home and outings. This helps her to identify and either remove or minimise identified risks to children. The childminder is well qualified and has improved her teaching practice through a good range of appropriate professional development. However, she has not yet fully embedded her understanding of recent changes to guidance. The childminder reviews the activities which she provides. This helps her to ensure that all children attending experience a wide range of good quality learning opportunities.

p.3

Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

Children enjoy a well-balanced and interesting selection of activities and time for free play. They are able to maintain good levels of concentration and show a positive attitude to learning. The childminder has high expectations of children because she is aware of what they are capable of. They enjoy sharing books and listen intently as the childminder reads to them. She encourages children to practice their communication and language skills. For example, they share their thoughts and feelings about the story they are listening to. Children show their growing understanding of the world during imaginative play. For example, they make adults a cup of tea and purposefully call mummy and daddy on a pretend telephone. The childminder encourages children to take part in creative play opportunities. Very young children enjoy problem solving. They work out how to peel stickers off of their fingers and place them on to paper. More-able children find alternative

p.3

Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

ways of using ink pads to decorate their creations.

p.3

Personal development, behaviour and welfare are good

Children are very confident and self-assured in the care of the childminder. They freely explore their environment and activities on offer. Children have formed very strong bonds with the childminder. They enjoy spending time with her and turn to her for help or comfort as needed. Children behave well and are consistently given clear reminders of expectations. During small-group activities, young children are extremely well supported by the childminder to learn about sharing and taking turns. Children enjoy regular trips outside of the home and visits to weekly pre-school groups. This enables them to mix with a wide range of people. This helps to support children's understanding of similarities and differences. Parents express how happy they are with the care provided and feel that the childminder offers the very best home-from-home environment.

p.3

Outcomes for children are good

Children attending the childminder's service make good progress towards the early learning goals. The childminder supports them well to develop the essential skills that they need for starting school.

p.3

Setting details

Unique reference number EY256845 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 860439 Type of provision Childminder Day care type Childminder Registers Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register Age range of children 1 - 3 Total number of places 2 Number of children on roll 3

p.4

Name of provider

Date of previous inspection 24 January 2011

p.4

Telephone number

The childminder was registered in 2003 and lives in Bishops Stortford. She operates all year round from 8am to 5pm on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, except for bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder holds an appropriate childcare qualification at level 3.

p.4

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.

p.4

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.

p.4

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 .

p.5

Telephone number

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our website for news, information and updates at www.ofsted.gov.uk/user.

p.5

Telephone number

T: 0300 123 4234 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ofsted

p.5