Childminder in Hertfordshire

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 24 March 2016 9 October 2009

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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 skilfully uses a wide range of innovative teaching methods to build on children's skills and interests. She plans very challenging activities to promote their learning and help them make exceptional progress. For example, children develop coordination and precision as they use toy hammers, nails and a saw to build structures with cardboard boxes.  The childminder expertly links children's outdoor and indoor learning to expand on their personal talents and learning styles. For instance, inside, children learn about plants, using books. Outside, they follow instructions and analyse and compare different seeds as they plant them. Children thrive in the stimulating learning environment.  The childminder provides children with an exceptional range of physical activities to keep them active. They thoroughly enjoy regular outings and plenty of contact with nature. Children benefit from varied menus of nutritious meals and snacks. The

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This provision is outstanding

childminder works closely in partnership with their parents to ensure that children's dietary needs and preferences are met.  The childminder is very attentive towards children. She listens to them with great attention, promptly responds to their requests and warmly interacts with them during play. Children swiftly settle and form very strong bonds with her.  The qualified childminder links with parents and with external professionals and other settings that children attend, where necessary. Information regarding children's emerging needs and interests is diligently exchanged and proficiently used to enhance children's learning opportunities in her care.  The childminder is highly reflective. She routinely takes into account suggestions from parents and is fully committed to offering the best possible provision for children. Through her ongoing studies and training, she regularly implements new ideas to boost

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This provision is outstanding

her practice, teaching and children's learning.

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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 enhance opportunities for children to learn about and develop an awareness of their own cultural backgrounds and those of others in their community.

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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 evaluations of activities with the childminder.  The inspector held discussions with the childminder and looked at relevant documentation, such as her self-evaluation and evidence of her qualifications and training. She checked evidence of the suitability of household members.  The inspector took account of the views of parents as expressed through written feedback.

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management is outstanding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective. The childminder has expert knowledge of child protection. She participates in extensive safeguarding training to keep her practice up to date. The childminder knows the steps to take should concerns arise. Children's needs are promptly supported. The childminder takes robust measures to minimise risks for children, carefully assessing her provision and all outings to ensure their safety. Policies, that are regularly reviewed and in line with current legislation, are effectively implemented and shared with parents. The childminder closely monitors and supervises children's well-being and welfare. Children have outstanding support and their protection is her utmost priority.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is outstanding

Children play and explore with high levels of interest. The qualified childminder expertly observes their skills and promotes their learning in well-resourced play areas and through carefully tailored activities. Children engage in interesting discussions, for instance, as they use their hands to create shadow puppets. Their interests are promoted and extended extremely well. For example, children's interest in trains is fostered through visiting a train station and enjoying a train ride. Afterwards, they use different toys to create a long train on the floor. The childminder promotes children's imagination and language development in innovative ways. She has created a 'magic box' with a variety of items, encouraging children to explore, describe and learn vocabulary. Assessments are extremely thorough and planning is meticulous to support children's next steps in learning very effectively.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are outstanding

The childminder provides children with an excellent range of opportunities to communicate their needs, feelings and ideas. She plans a variety of regular outings, such as attending playgroups and play dates. Children have excellent opportunities to develop their social skills in different situations. They recently went sightseeing in London. They wrote and posted a letter to the Queen. Later, they received a letter back from Buckingham Palace. However, the childminder is keen to build further on children's understanding of their own cultural backgrounds and those of other people and families in their local community. The childminder expertly supports children's emotional well-being and collaborates with parents in managing behaviour. Children develop an excellent awareness of safety during play. They are constantly praised for their efforts and achievements. They are confident and behave exceptionally well.

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Outcomes for children are outstanding

All children make excellent progress in relation to their starting points. The childminder closely tracks their progress and skilfully narrows gaps in their development through her expert planning of routines and activities. Children are extremely well challenged at all times. They develop their dexterity, language skills and concentration. Children explore a variety of writing tools and have many opportunities to draw and build on early writing and reading skills. Children are extremely well prepared for school.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY318230 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 849063 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 6 Number of children on roll 7

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Name of provider

Date of previous inspection 9 October 2009

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Telephone number

The childminder was registered in 2005 and lives in Bushey. She operates all year round, Monday to Friday from 7am to 6pm, except for bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder holds an appropriate early years qualification at level 3. She provides funded early 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

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

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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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