Childminder in Hertfordshire

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 18 April 2016 14 December 2011

p.1

This inspection: Outstanding 1

Effectiveness of the leadership and management Outstanding 1

p.1

This inspection: Outstanding 1

Quality of teaching, learning and assessment Outstanding 1

p.1

This inspection: Outstanding 1

Personal development, behaviour and welfare Outstanding 1

p.1

This provision is outstanding

 The well-qualified childminder has an astute understanding of how children learn and accurately assesses their development. This helps her to provide a range of highly stimulating experiences that meets children's individual needs and offers levels of challenge that inspire them to learn.  The childminder is extremely experienced. She continually seeks additional knowledge and expertise. She proactively attends a variety of purposeful training courses. The childminder successfully implements knowledge gained to enhance children's experiences. This approach contributes extremely well to the high standards of care and education that children benefit from.  The childminder works in a commendable manner with other early years provisions that children attend. She pays meticulous attention to ensuring that she shares comprehensive information with them about children's learning and development. This further supports children's excellent progress.

p.1

This provision is outstanding

 The childminder develops remarkably strong partnerships with parents. She implements a wealth of ideas to support a shared approach towards children's care and learning. One such idea is a parents' page, on which they record achievements made at home and current interests. The childminder uses all available information to help form individual planning for each child.  The childminder makes excellent use of the outdoors and local parks. Some examples of activities that ignite children's interest are walks through a growing maze, exploration of a Mediterranean garden and investigating the buds and growth of flowers. They use all their senses as they explore different surroundings.

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

 build further on the excellent opportunities provided for children to continue making rapid progress, challenging those children achieving the highest levels of progress even further.

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 talked with the childminder and children at appropriate times throughout the inspection.  The inspector looked at a range of documentation, including policies, evidence of the suitability of household members and observation and assessment documentation. She also viewed the safeguarding procedures.  The inspector spoke to parents during the inspection and took account of their views. She also took account of the views of parents as provided in documentation.  The inspector reviewed the childminder's self-evaluation.

p.2

Effectiveness of the leadership and management is outstanding

Safeguarding is effective. The childminder has an extremely astute awareness of how to protect children. She has robust and in-depth knowledge of child protection procedures and how to report concerns about children's welfare. The childminder undertakes research and regularly attends pertinent conferences to help her to keep abreast of changes to legislation. She then updates the comprehensive policies and procedures that help to underpin her excellent practice. The childminder has high expectations for herself and consistently aims to provide exceptional care. She undertakes exemplary, reflective self- evaluation. As part of this, the childminder invites parents, as well as those children leaving to go on to school, to complete regular evaluations of her practice.

p.3

Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is outstanding

The childminder skilfully uses every activity to broaden opportunities for learning. One such activity leads children through research in non-fiction books looking at baby animals. They examine the life cycle of insects and then move on to exploring how things grow. For example, children enjoy finding out what plants need in order to grow. They are also supported to monitor the progress of their plants through measuring them. The childminder meticulously monitors children's communication and language development. The quality of her interaction with children is excellent and contributes significantly towards children's superb communication skills. The childminder plans inspiring and enticing activities. For example, she extends children's interest in a popular film on wildlife by offering footage of lions and cheetahs, which leads them to discuss the speed with which they run. The childminder has identified that there is even more potential to

p.3

Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is outstanding

continue challenging those children achieving the highest levels of progress still further.

p.3

Personal development, behaviour and welfare are outstanding

The childminder provides extensive support to parents and children during settling-in periods. Children quickly form trusting relationships with her. The childminder makes excellent use of the environment. Rich, varied and imaginative experiences are on offer for children, both indoors and outdoors. Children gain an excellent understanding of good health and have numerous opportunities to be active. The childminder teaches them to note the effect of exercise on their bodies and to recognise the need to drink water and stop for rest. Children understand that their opinions are highly valued. The childminder continually seeks their views and uses them to directly influence the activity planning.

p.3

Outcomes for children are outstanding

All children make rapid progress given their starting points. The childminder reviews children's progress carefully to help her to identify any support that may be needed. Her meticulous attention to individual learning plans means that all children receive support to help them to continue to make the best possible progress. They are exceptionally well prepared for school. Children eagerly practise their developing skills. They share readily and make deliberate choices, showing high levels of independence. Children sort objects by size order and show high levels of curiosity as they investigate things they see around them, such as magnets.

p.3

Setting details

Unique reference number EY318791 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 849071 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 3

p.4

Name of provider

Date of previous inspection 14 December 2011

p.4

Telephone number

The childminder was registered in 2005 and lives in St Albans. She operates September to July from 8am to 5pm, Monday to Thursday, except for bank holidays and Christmas and Easter holidays. The childminder holds qualified teacher status.

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