Childminder in Hertfordshire

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 25 April 2016 22 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

 Extensive continuing professional development has a hugely beneficial impact, both on the excellent quality of teaching and the highly effective care children receive. It also contributes extremely positively towards the reflective evaluations the childminder makes that help sustain her outstanding practice.  The childminder gives close consideration to planning for children who are identified as requiring extra support. She makes excellent use of additional funding to boost their learning experiences and support their all-round development.  The childminder provides extremely high-quality experiences for all children. She uses technology very effectively to help answer children's questions. Children of all ages are totally engaged as they gather around the tablet computer to learn about tigers and what they like to eat.  The high-quality creative activities the childminder provides stimulate children's interest

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This provision is outstanding

to the full as they sing rhymes and songs and read books. The excellent opportunities promoted help children to become confident and sociable communicators who express themselves well and make rapid progress from their starting points.  The childminder draws upon her many years of experience and her knowledge of individual children to adapt the routine. She diffuses situations expertly when children become too boisterous, by providing quieter activities, such as story times. Children learn how to behave extremely well.  Children settle quickly and display high levels of self-esteem. They are close to the childminder and display their affection for her readily. They learn about being emotionally and physically healthy and are highly resilient individuals.

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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 find even more ways to include babies in the exceptional way that children are involved in helping to prepare and be involved in daily routines.

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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 discussed planned activities with the childminder.  The inspector held discussions with the childminder and children at suitable times. She looked at relevant documentation, such as the childminder's self-evaluation and evidence of the suitability of the childminder and household members.  The inspector read and took account of the written feedback provided by parents.

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management is outstanding

Arrangements for safeguarding are effective. The childminder uses information gained from training to review and assess her current policies and procedures. Her stringent evaluations enable her to make changes to strengthen further her ability to keep children safe. The childminder is proactive in building relationships with other settings that children attend to help provide continuity in their learning. Relationships with parents are highly productive. The childminder knows her families well and goes the extra mile to support them. Her ingenuity and dedication means she is able to provide highly individualised care that meets the precise needs of children and their families. The childminder is highly qualified and experienced. Nevertheless, she remains open and willing to continue to learn from parents, children and other professionals.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is outstanding

Rich and varied resources and activities intrigue babies and ignite their desire to want to move and explore. Excellent planning means that children of all ages can play together. For example, children enjoy dressing up as they try on different hats and laugh out loud as they do so. The childminder weaves literacy and mathematical learning skilfully into routines, such as snack time. Children understand the importance of a healthy diet as they find and count out fruit and different foods and then read about them in a book. This helps to bring learning alive for children who are highly engaged and eager to take part. The childminder is finding even more ways to include babies in such activities as they increasingly take part in familiar daily routines.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are outstanding

The childminder is highly supportive in continuing with babies' home routines and in meeting parents' wishes. For example, she supports mothers who continue to breastfeed and follows parents' approach to weaning. This helps to provide excellent continuity for babies and helps parents to feel that they are receiving the care that they want for their children. Children are skilful in problem solving. Older children understand that younger ones cannot play as they do and are patient and considerate towards them. Older children are confident in asserting their status as the 'big' children and act as superb role models for babies and younger children.

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Outcomes for children are outstanding

Children make rapid progress in their learning. They are highly independent and resourceful individuals who are able to make decisions and lead their play. Children are extremely well prepared for starting school and develop excellent skills in literacy and mathematics. They use counting in their play and when they express their understanding of time. For example, children say when mummy will arrive as they watch the hands on the clock move to different numbers. Any gaps in learning close quickly because of the childminder's outstanding practice. Children in receipt of the early years pupil premium funding make exceptional progress in their development.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 130456 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 854216 Type of provision Childminder Day care type Childminder Registers Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register Age range of children 0 - 10 Total number of places 6 Number of children on roll 13

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Name of provider

Date of previous inspection 22 March 2011

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Telephone number

The childminder was registered in 1994 and lives in Watford. She operates all year round from 7.45am to 5.30pm, Monday to Thursday, except for bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder holds an appropriate qualification at level 3.

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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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