Childminder in Hertfordshire

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 25 January 2016 Not applicable

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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 any new knowledge from research or training to benefit children. Her greater understanding of how children learn enables her to plan effective activities to promote their individual development.  Activity planning is securely informed by children's interests and their next developmental steps. Children are positively engaged in a variety of interesting activities. These offer them opportunities to build on their learning and develop key skills, thereby preparing them well for school.  The childminder regularly checks children's progress and takes prompt action to close any potential gaps in their learning. She now offers them opportunities to use their mathematical skills, such as counting and subtracting, during their daily play, thereby strengthening this area of learning.  The childminder supports parents well in extending their children's learning. She uses ongoing discussions and a regular newsletter to tell parents about current and planned

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This provision is good

future activities and to offer ideas to develop these at home.  Meaningful activities support children in gaining an appreciation of diversity and they learn to respect differences in each other and in wider society. For example, they enjoy finding out where their food originates from, using a globe and books to look at different countries and their climates and traditions.

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It is not yet outstanding because:

 The childminder does not always make the most of all opportunities to support children in fully developing their skills in critical thinking.  The childminder does not work as effectively as possible with all other childcare settings to ensure that children's development is always promoted to the maximum.

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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 critically during activities and discussions  build on the opportunities to work more effectively in partnership with all other childcare settings that children attend.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector observed the quality of teaching during activities indoors and outside and assessed the impact this has on children's learning.  The inspector talked with the childminder and children at appropriate times throughout the inspection. She reviewed an activity with the childminder.  The inspector looked at children's assessment records, planning documentation and evidence of the suitability of household members. 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 good

The childminder has a thorough knowledge of the Early Years Foundation Stage and ensures that she meets all requirements. The arrangements for safeguarding are effective. The childminder has a good understanding of how to report any concerns about children's welfare. She supervises children at all times and has robust procedures to ensure that all people coming into regular contact with children are suitable. The childminder evaluates her work well and uses the information she gathers to inform relevant improvements. For example, she provides new toys and resources according to children's developmental needs and current interests. This helps to encourage children to explore the resources fully and to extend their play and learning.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

The childminder offers children interesting activities that support them in exploring. For example, children experiment with ice and determine how and why it melts. They then play with warm malleable dough and compare the difference in temperatures and texture. The childminder makes good use of spontaneous learning opportunities as a way of extending children's learning. When making bird feeders, she encourages children to use simple mathematical language as they compare the amounts of seeds in each container. However, the childminder does not always extend children's ongoing opportunities to develop their critical-thinking skills as much as possible during activities. The childminder uses resources well to aid her in building on children's learning. Children love looking through a basket of resources related to their current topic of birds. The childminder adds new resources each day and the children delight in discovering these. For example, they

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

play a game to match pictures of birds and use binoculars to spot birds in the garden.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are good

The childminder pays attention to ensuring that children are secure and comfortable. She makes sure she understands their needs and routines by obtaining clear initial information from parents. Children quickly build warm relationships with the childminder and naturally include her in their play. The childminder's sensitive explanations help children understand the implications of their behaviour and she supports them in working out how to manage this appropriately. Practical activities and ongoing discussions help children understand how to keep themselves healthy. For example, they talk about how important it is to eat fresh fruit and vegetables each day. The childminder's thoughtful daily interactions boost children's confidence and support their emotional stability in readiness for starting school. For example, children show great pride and a belief in their own abilities as they look back over their learning journals and note how much they have developed.

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Outcomes for children are good

The childminder has good procedures to assess children's starting points and monitor their progress. Her purposeful teaching methods support all children so that they make effective progress. She helps them to develop the required skills that support their ability to learn, thus preparing them well for school.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY479254 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 986386 Type of provision Childminder Day care type Childminder Registers Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register Age range of children 1 - 6 Total number of places 6 Number of children on roll 8

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Name of provider

Date of previous inspection Not applicable

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Telephone number

The childminder was registered in 2014 and lives in Harpenden. She operates during term time only from 7am to 6pm, Monday to Thursday, except for bank holidays and family holidays.

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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

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

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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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