Childminder EY261996

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 23 February 2016 28 June 2010

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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

 Teaching is outstanding because the childminder accurately promotes children's learning needs and interests. She successfully assesses their skills and plans exceptional opportunities to promote their progress across all areas of learning.  The childminder has an excellent understanding of child development and strongly focuses on preparing children for school. For example, children create a map of their community to learn about where they live and to plan daily outings and walks. Children also develop an awareness of traffic safety and logistics. They develop skills for life.  The childminder inspirationally meets children's different learning styles. Indoors, they have a wide range of resources and play opportunities. Outdoors, children learn to appreciate wildlife and nature. The childminder and her assistant strongly promote outdoor learning and also local history, which are key strengths of their practice.

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This provision is outstanding

 The childminder and her assistant are very welcoming and display exceptionally strong bonds with children, who fully enjoy their time with them. The childminder is very attentive to children's emotional well-being and accurately meets their needs. Children are comfortable, happy and settled.  The childminder and her assistant participate in regular child protection training and are exceptionally knowledgeable regarding the steps to take to safeguard children. All aspects of practice are meticulously documented and children's well-being and welfare are expertly monitored. Children are safe and extremely well supported.  Exceptional partnerships with parents strongly promote children's learning and care. The childminder keenly introduces parents to her policies, educational programmes, menus and routines. This directly contributes to the outstanding management of her provision.

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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

 find even more innovative ways to engage with other settings that children attend to fully secure the two-way exchange of information about children's learning.

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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 completed joint observations of activities with the childminder and assistant.  The inspector held discussions with the childminder and assistant. She looked at relevant documentation, such as the self-evaluation and evidence of the suitability, qualifications and training of the childminder and assistant.  The inspector took account of the views of parents.

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management is outstanding

The safeguarding arrangements are effective. The childminder and her assistant expertly promote children's safety. They assess play areas, outings and activities to minimise risks so children can play in safety. The childminder has built very strong links with local children's centres, the local authority and other early years professionals, including other childminders. She also links with other settings that children attend. However, there is room to fully secure the two-way exchange of information about children's learning to enhance the already exceptional support and progress that children make. The highly qualified and skilled childminder astutely ensures the suitability of those in contact with children. With her assistant, she maintains an inspirational culture of reflective practice, including expert supervisions and audits of teaching and learning. The childminder invests in training. Her expert early years knowledge has a positive impact on the outstanding

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management is outstanding

quality of the provision. New ideas are eagerly implemented and children thrive.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is outstanding

Children show great interest in learning new skills and fully benefit from the childminder and her assistant's exceptionally tailored support. For example, children learn letter sounds as they play with a magnetic board and letters. They then turn the board and letters into a jigsaw puzzle. Children eagerly fit the letters to cover the whole board, while developing mathematical knowledge, language and skills. Children and parents have significant input into planning. Story sessions are exceptionally well planned to fully promote children's enjoyment of books, their personal interests and life transitions. Children have a wheeled book trolley, on which they place their favourite books to enjoy during the day. They express their creativity through daily singing, dancing and crafts. The childminder and her assistant inspirationally promote children's imaginative play. Children play at being 'mummy and daddy' and delight in expressing their skills through play.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are outstanding

The childminder expertly teaches children to live healthy lifestyles. Meals are nutritious and children learn to manage their own hygiene. They participate in daily outings and explore all weathers. They learn about the world as they look after and observe animals. Children also plant and harvest vegetables for their meals. Practice is extremely inclusive. The childminder and her assistant inspirationally promote children's social skills. They teach them social values, good manners and to be kind and polite. The childminder and her assistant enthusiastically praise children's achievements and efforts. Children behave exceptionally well. They develop safety awareness as they play and explore in play areas and on outings. There is a strong focus on promoting children's confidence to ensure that they are ready for their future experiences at school.

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Outcomes for children are outstanding

The childminder and her assistant are inspirational teachers and children learn exceptionally well. They start and maintain rigorous assessments of children's progress, expertly identifying gaps in their learning and narrowing these through astute planning.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY261996 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 848433 Type of provision Childminder Day care type Childminder Registers Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register Age range of children 1 - 9 Total number of places 12 Number of children on roll 6

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Name of provider

Date of previous inspection 28 June 2010

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Telephone number

The childminder was registered in 2003 and lives in St. Albans. She operates all year round, Tuesday to Friday from 7.30am to 6pm, except for bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder holds a Masters Degree in Early Years, at level 7. She works with an assistant. The childminder provides funded early years education for 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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