Childminder in Hertfordshire

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 5 February 2016 6 March 2012

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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

 Teaching is good. The childminder has a secure understanding of how children learn through play. She gets down to children's level and effectively joins in with their play. Children are very interested and engaged in their surroundings and are well prepared for the next stage in their learning.  Children are happy and settled. They enjoy loving and affectionate relationships with the friendly childminder. They show good levels of independence and confidently explore a stimulating, well-resourced indoor environment.  The childminder has strong partnerships with other providers that children attend. This helps to ensure that information about children's care and learning is shared.  Parents comment very positively on the progress their children make and the high- quality care the childminder provides.  The childminder makes very good use of the local environment to develop children's learning. They go for adventurous walks in the nearby woodland. Children attend

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This provision is good

stimulating group activities where they socialise with other similar-aged children. This helps to build on their social skills outside of the childminder's home.  The childminder implements new ideas and shows a commitment to continually developing her knowledge. For example, she attends regular training to update her skills.

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It is not yet outstanding because:

 The childminder does not focus precisely enough on evaluating her practice and identifying areas for improvement that will extend and challenge children's learning 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

 improve the systems for evaluating practice and include more opportunities to further extend children's learning.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector spoke with the childminder and children at appropriate times. She observed interactions taking place during the inspection.  The inspector conducted a joint observation with the childminder  The inspector checked evidence of the childminder's qualifications and of the suitability of all those living on the premises. She also looked at the childminder's self-evaluation and discussed her improvement plan.  The inspector looked at children's assessment records and planning documentation.  The inspector took account of parents' views through questionnaires and references left with the childminder.

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management is good

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective. The childminder is aware of procedures to follow if she has any concerns about children in her care. Since her last inspection, the childminder has successfully gained a relevant childcare qualification. This has increased her knowledge about different aspects of child development and the importance of checking children's progress. The childminder has reviewed her assessment procedures and is keen to improve these even further to identify how she can continue to extend and challenge children's learning. She completes the progress check for children between the ages of two and three years and shares this with parents. The childminder evaluates her practice and seeks the views of parents and children.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

The well-qualified childminder has a good understanding of how children learn. Children's imaginative play is well supported. For example, discussions take place about the dolls that they are playing with. This leads to play with equipment related to visiting the doctor. The childminder supports children's language well. She engages them in related conversations and introduces new words which children copy. Children are helped to solve problems and to persevere at tasks, such as the completion of complex jigsaws. This helps to support children's concentration skills. They show great delight when they announce, 'I did it'. The childminder carries out art and craft activities with children. She adapts these so that all children are able to join in. This helps to support and develop children's hand muscles, in readiness for writing skills when they go to school. Children enjoy popular stories. They sit comfortably on the sofa with the childminder. They retell the story and

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

become excited when they point out familiar characters in the book. This helps to support their early interest in reading.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are good

The childminder has a very friendly nature. She continually talks to children and gives them lots of attention and praise. This helps to promote their self-esteem. Children join in conversations and laugh along with the childminder. This helps them to be emotionally secure and settled. The childminder works closely with parents to ensure that children's routines, interests and dietary needs are well known. She provides nutritious snacks and meals. The childminder is a good role model. She promotes good manners at all times and children are helped to treat each other with respect. Children learn about healthy eating when they discuss the various fillings that they use to make their own sandwiches. The childminder effectively supports children to learn about safety on outings. They are successfully helped to share and take turns as they play with popular toys. Daily walks to school and visits to nearby woods and parks provide plenty of fresh air and physical

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are good

activity to promote overall health and happiness.

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Outcomes for children are good

Children make good progress from their starting points and are learning the key skills they need for starting school.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY348962 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 857419 Type of provision Childminder Day care type Childminder Registers Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register Age range of children 2 - 3 Total number of places 6 Number of children on roll 6

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Name of provider

Date of previous inspection 6 March 2012

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Telephone number

The childminder was registered in 2007 and lives in Watford. She operates all year round from 7am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, except 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

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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