Childminder in Hertfordshire

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 9 March 2016 Not applicable

p.1

This inspection: Good 2

Effectiveness of the leadership and management Good 2

p.1

This inspection: Good 2

Quality of teaching, learning and assessment Good 2

p.1

This inspection: Good 2

Personal development, behaviour and welfare Good 2

p.1

This provision is good

 Children have very good opportunities to explore their environment and to be independent. The childminder expertly supports children to discover things for themselves.  Children develop their mathematical thinking through lots of exciting activities. They enjoy using the weighing scales when cooking and show their very good understanding of size and numbers.  Children explore and use speech to support their play and express their needs. The childminder promotes children's communication and language skills well, using strategies learnt in recent training. She consistently responds to what the children do and say, introduces new vocabulary and repeats words back to them. Children enjoy using play telephones, imitating conversations that they have heard.  The childminder establishes strong, warm relationships with children, who show that they feel secure and confident in her care. Children delight in snuggling up to share a

p.1

This provision is good

story. The older children invite the childminder to join in with their play and seek her out when they need help.  The childminder works closely with parents and other professionals. The high level of detailed communication has a very positive impact on children's achievements and continuity of experience.

p.1

It is not yet outstanding because:

 Although teaching is good overall, occasionally younger children are not as fully involved in adult-led activities as older children.

p.1

What the setting needs to do to improve further

To further improve the quality of the early years provision the provider should:

p.2

What the setting needs to do to improve further

 review the planning of complex adult-led activities so that younger children are fully involved and actively participate and learn.

p.2

Inspection activities

 The inspector observed the quality of teaching during activities indoors and assessed the impact this has on children's learning.  The inspector and the childminder reflected on children's learning during a planned activity.  The inspector and the childminder had discussions at appropriate times throughout the inspection.  The inspector looked at a range of documentation, including policies, evidence of the suitability of household members, observation and assessment documentation and the safeguarding procedures, and discussed the childminder's self-evaluation.  The inspector looked at letters from parents and took account of their views.

p.2

Effectiveness of the leadership and management is good

The suitably qualified childminder offers a well-organised service to families. Arrangements for safeguarding are effective. The childminder has attended training on child protection issues and has up-to-date policies that she uses to underpin her practice. The childminder successfully evaluates what she offers for children. She involves the children in discussions about this, which helps them to decide together how they can improve activities and experiences. The childminder completes risk assessments, ensuring that children can play freely and safely in the home, garden and on outings. The childminder has a registered assistant for emergency cover. She shares her high expectations with her assistant in order to ensure children and their families continue to receive good quality care.

p.3

Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

The quality of teaching is good. Children enjoy a wide variety of experiences each day. The childminder frequently observes children as they play and assesses their developmental progress. She plans her teaching around the children's next steps in learning, making sure that she offers experiences that help children to achieve their goals. Children enjoy drawing and writing. They use the resources around the easel to create imaginative pictures and write their names and other letters that they know. The childminder frequently reads with the children. She encourages them to look closely at the pictures, to share what they know about the story and to join in with the repeated phrases. Children love books that allow them to find out about different people. They compare the features and characteristics of those in the pictures with themselves.

p.3

Personal development, behaviour and welfare are good

The childminder has effective settling-in procedures and she gathers detailed information from parents about what children know and can do. This helps her to understand and plan specifically for children's individual needs. Children behave well and the childminder is a positive role model. She promotes the use of good manners, kindness and consideration for others. Children's sense of self-esteem is good. The childminder is quick to praise their achievements and she encourages positive behaviour. Children delight in baking things to share with their family. The childminder successfully uses the activity to build on children's understanding about food and safety. Children enjoy time outside in the fresh air. They make good use of the local area to explore nature and to see changes in the environment.

p.3

Outcomes for children are good

Every child, including disabled children and those with special educational needs, makes good progress in their learning and development. When children's starting points are below typical expectations, the childminder successfully helps them to catch up. She makes effective use of assessments to determine aspects of children's learning where they require specific interventions. She offers very good support and well-matched activities that help children acquire the skills they need. Children are well prepared for school. Children delight in experimenting with writing, sharing books and exploring letters and sounds. The childminder helps children to understand that text has meaning, for instance, as they read and follow a recipe together as part of their cooking activity.

p.3

Setting details

Unique reference number EY493414 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 1026511 Type of provision Childminder Day care type Childminder Registers Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register Age range of children 1 - 12 Total number of places 6 Number of children on roll 10

p.4

Name of provider

Date of previous inspection Not applicable

p.4

Telephone number

The childminder was registered in 2015 and lives in Buntingford. She operates all year round from 7am to 7pm, Monday to Friday, except for bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder holds an appropriate qualification at level 3. The childminder supports disabled children and those with special educational needs.

p.4

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.

p.4

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.

p.4

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 .

p.5

Telephone number

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

p.5

Telephone number

T: 0300 123 4234 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ofsted

p.5