Childminder in Hertfordshire

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 4 February 2016 24 October 2011

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This inspection: Outstanding 1

Effectiveness of the leadership and management Outstanding 1

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This inspection: Outstanding 1

Quality of teaching, learning and assessment Outstanding 1

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This inspection: Outstanding 1

Personal development, behaviour and welfare Outstanding 1

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This provision is outstanding

 The childminder uses her wealth of knowledge and understanding of how children learn and develop to plan exceptional learning experiences. Activities support development in all areas of learning and meet the needs of each individual child.  The childminder regularly reflects on her practice. She precisely identifies areas for improvement and promptly acts on these targets. She takes the views of children and parents into account and incorporates these in her actions.  Children are provided with an abundance of interesting and challenging activities. These support children's communication and language skills, including those who also speak an additional language.  The childminder skilfully introduces new vocabulary, such as iceberg and ice cubes, during play. Children enjoy superb opportunities to experience and explore ice melting and frozen foam icebergs while playing with the dinosaurs during an activity.

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This provision is outstanding

 The children receive excellent opportunities for exercise. They benefit from the option of outdoor and indoor experiences throughout the day. They enjoy building a den, cooking in the mud kitchen, searching for dinosaurs and taking trips to the local park.  The childminder has built extremely strong partnerships with parents. They are fully engaged in their child's learning and are regularly given ideas to further extend the learning at home. Parents regularly receive updates on their child's achievements. They are frequently given the opportunity to share their thoughts and opinions when setting their child's next steps in learning.  The childminder has a strong focus on providing the highest quality of care and education to children. This is demonstrated in her consistent drive to further her understanding through attending targeted training. This effectively supports her to develop and extend the learning experiences offered to children.

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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

 continue to review the information gained from monitoring the progress being made by specific groups of children to enrich their learning opportunities even further.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector observed the quality of teaching during activities indoors and outdoors and assessed the impact this has on children's learning.  The inspector observed and evaluated a planned activity with the childminder.  The inspector spoke with the childminder at appropriate times during the inspection.  The inspector looked at relevant documentation, such as, the childminder's self- evaluation, children's learning journeys and a sample of policies.  The inspector read feedback from a small selection of parents and took account of their views.  The inspector talked to children and took account of their views.

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management is outstanding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective. The childminder attends training on child protection and safeguarding children. She uses this information to regularly update her policies and procedures, which are shared with parents. The childminder has a thorough awareness of the procedures to follow and what to do if she has a concern relating to the safety and welfare of children. Partnerships are firmly established with settings that children move on to. The childminder shares extensive information with other settings where children attend to successfully support their learning and development. She regularly reviews children's achievements and progress records. She is also highly committed to maintaining the excellent levels of children's learning and development.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is outstanding

The quality of teaching is of an exceptionally high standard. The childminder provides a wealth of opportunities for children to develop their physical skills, including attending a local toddler group and visits to the local parks. The childminder skilfully supports children's mathematical development and encourages children to count and look at similarities and differences in toy dinosaurs. This includes learning the concepts of big and small. The childminder records precise and detailed observations and assessments of the progress that children make. She skilfully incorporates children's next steps in learning in her planning of their learning opportunities. Children are extremely happy, engaged and motivated to participate in all activities. Children's collective progress is being precisely monitored by the childminder. She is keen to analyse this information even further to target her teaching and enrich their learning.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are outstanding

Children learn about keeping healthy and have a variety of nutritious options at snack and mealtimes. Children have regular opportunities for daily exercise and enjoy playing on the bikes and trikes. Children are very confident and rapidly learn independence and enjoy helping to set their plates ready for mealtimes. Children behave very well and learn to be kind to their friends, share fairly and take turns. Children learn to respect each other's differences through the childminder's skilful use of activities, books and discussions. The childminder promotes excellent hygiene practices with children and they display a high standard of manners. Children are supported to make their own decisions in play. They are challenged to think critically about solutions to problems for themselves.

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Outcomes for children are outstanding

All children make rapid progress from their starting points. Weaknesses in children's learning are quickly identified. Any gaps in learning close rapidly as a result of the targeted support the childminder offers. Children are extremely well prepared for their next stage in learning, including moving on to school.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY332464 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 849143 Type of provision Childminder Day care type Childminder Registers Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register Age range of children 1 - 7 Total number of places 6 Number of children on roll 5

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Name of provider

Date of previous inspection 24 October 2011

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Telephone number

The childminder was registered in 2006 and lives in Borehamwood. She operates term time only from 7am to 5.30pm, Monday to Friday, except for bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder holds an appropriate qualification at level 3.

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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

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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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