Childminder in Hertfordshire

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 10 February 2016 14 March 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 well-qualified childminder has an exceptional professional development programme. Recent courses have helped her to fully understand and apply the most recent national strategies to provide the highest-quality care for all groups of children.  The quality of teaching is highly effective. The childminder ensures activities engage and motivate children of all ages to achieve their next steps in learning. She captures their attention through a range of innovative ideas and the use of home-made resources.  Children experience a wealth of rich learning opportunities, both indoors and outdoors. Well thought out weekly activities enable them to take part in informative and highly challenging experiences. Children examine the sounds of full-size instruments and watch performances at a local music group. They attend open days at an outdoor learning school to help develop their larger physical skills.

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This provision is outstanding

 Children thrive in the childminders warm and sensitive care. A tailored process from the outset, matched to children's personality and previous experience, helps them to settle quickly. Even the quietest children gain the confidence to explore new and exciting environments. Parents wholeheartedly express the positive impact of this nurturing environment on their child's emotional well-being.  Highly effective strategies involve all parents in children's learning. They regularly contribute to children's files as they detail achievements at home and continue with the childminder's suggestions. This contributes significantly to children's excellent progress.  Children have flourished into skilful communicators. Following the childminder's targeted support those identified with limited speech now take part in daily discussion about the activities they have most enjoyed.

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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

 build on plans to further enhance the enabling outdoor environment to maintain children's high levels of curiosity and imagination.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector observed children's activities indoors, outdoors and during the snack and lunchtime routine. She talked to the childminder and children at appropriate times throughout the inspection.  The inspector observed adult-led activities and jointly discussed the intentions and learning outcomes of these with the childminder.  The inspector sampled the childminder's documentation including policies, a self- evaluation form, training certificates and children's learning journals.  The inspector took account of the views of parents through a selection of written references.  The inspector saw evidence of the suitability of all persons living on the premises and other documentation in relation to the safeguarding and welfare requirements.

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management is outstanding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective. The childminder has created a culture of vigilance and embraces every opportunity to develop her extensive knowledge to promote children's welfare. She is a highly reflective practitioner who makes continuous, sustained improvement. One of the ways she achieves this is by completing a detailed annual audit of her practice as she renews her accreditation. She has identified an opportunity to further enhance the outdoor space. In addition, she has helped to set up a consultation group with other professionals to reflect upon and share the best possible practice. The views of all parents and children are rigorously sought and considered to inform the superb learning programme that the childminder provides. Highly effective partnership working ensures children receive continuous tailored support from all those involved in their very high standard of care.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is outstanding

The childminder has high expectations of children and ensures her meticulous planning is tailored to meet their unique learning styles. She has an excellent understanding of how children learn and promptly embraces their current interests. For instance, she provides resources for children to learn about and pretend to take on the role of a knight. Outdoors they use their larger movements as they run up and down the garden, ride their horses and wave their lances. Indoors, they develop their imagination further as they enjoy playing with the small-world castle. The childminder uses skilful questioning and well- chosen storybooks to encourage children to use their language skills, think and make predictions. Children's competent mathematical skills are evident from a young age. They match the dots to numbers during an activity and sort items into groups. Assessment is rigorous and sharply focused to help each child to reach their full learning potential.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are outstanding

Children relish the range of responsibilities they are given, follow instructions with ease and make informed decisions about their day. Equality and diversity is at the heart of everything the childminder does. Children take part in a range of celebrations and learn about the lives of others. One way the childminder does this is by using the theme of Valentine's Day to talk to children about different family structures. A range of vibrant displays helps children to recall previous learning activities and gain a sense of belonging in the home. They talk about other children and parents who shared these experiences. The childminder is an excellent role model. This helps children to develop self-control and understand their feelings and those of their friends. Safe hygiene measures are robust. Children use their individual flannels and know to clean their teeth after meals. They learn about food that is good for them and talk about fruit that they have grown to keep

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Outcomes for children are outstanding

Children make consistently high rates of progress. They are highly motivated and eager to join in with all the activities provided. They are extremely well prepared for school.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY285164 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 848708 Type of provision Childminder Day care type Childminder Registers Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register Age range of children 1 - 4 Total number of places 6 Number of children on roll 4

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Name of provider

Date of previous inspection 14 March 2011

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Telephone number

The childminder was registered in 2004 and lives in Welwyn Garden City. She operates all year round from 8am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, except for bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder holds an appropriate qualification at level 4 and has achieved a recognised accreditation. She provides funded early education for two-, three- and four- year-old children.

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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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