Childminder in Hertfordshire

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 21 April 2016 18 October 2011

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This inspection: Good 2

Effectiveness of the leadership and management Good 2

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This inspection: Good 2

Quality of teaching, learning and assessment Good 2

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This inspection: Good 2

Personal development, behaviour and welfare Good 2

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This provision is good

 The childminder has a clear knowledge of children's needs. Children are gradually introduced to the setting during a flexible settling-in period. They quickly form trusting relationships with the childminder. Children are confident, relaxed and eager to learn.  The childminder understands how young children develop and builds on their enthusiasm for learning. She provides a range of experiences that meets children's individual learning needs and fosters their good progress.  The childminder works well with other early years provisions that children attend. She regularly shares information with them about children's learning and progress. This helps to support children's ongoing development.  Children play a significant role in making choices about their day. They have opportunities to express their opinions and guide their own learning. Children make decisions jointly with others, showing their developing social skills.

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It is not yet outstanding because:

 The childminder does not always make the best use of information from parents about their children's achievements at home, in order to enrich the planning of activities so that children make rapid progress.  The childminder does not fully use parents' feedback and her own findings in her self- evaluation to rapidly improve, achieve and continue to sustain the highest possible standards for children.

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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

 make better use of ongoing information from parents about their children's learning and development at home  use the information gathered from self-evaluation and reviews to develop even more rigorous and highly effective plans for ongoing improvement.

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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, observation and assessment documentation, as well as the safeguarding procedures.  The inspector observed a planned activity and jointly evaluated this with the childminder.  The inspector reviewed the childminder's self-evaluation process with her.

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management is good

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective. The childminder knows the signs and symptoms that may indicate a cause for concern about children's welfare and how to report them. She is aware of potential hazards and supervises children carefully to help ensure they are safe. The childminder demonstrates that she is motivated to sustain her knowledge and continue to raise standards. She meets with other childminders to help her keep abreast of current childcare issues. The childminder is committed to her own development. She finds and attends relevant courses in order to better support the children she cares for. For example, she recently completed training to help her use the information gathered through observation more effectively in her assessments of children.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

The childminder provides many opportunities for children to engage in conversations. The quality of her interactions with children is good. She routinely gets down to their level when speaking. The childminder offers time and space for children to think about what they want to say and encourages them to listen to each other. She also offers simple ways for children to explore mathematics. For example, they use bricks to build towers and other buildings. As they build, the childminder helps children to compare the height of each structure and to predict how many more bricks the tallest one has. She provides opportunities for children to learn about their local community and the world around them. They discuss significant events, such as a royal birthday, as well as engaging in discussions about the different roles of police officers and firefighters.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are good

Children respond to the childminder's calm approach. She acts as a good role model to aid children in developing positive attitudes towards others. The childminder carefully introduces children to activities they can complete together, such as working on puzzles in small groups. This is one way in which she encourages them to share, take turns and consider the needs of others. Children independently wash and dry their hands, using their personal towels. The childminder talks to them about the importance of simple hygiene practices and helps them to understand why such routines are important to their health. Children have numerous opportunities to be active. The childminder takes them to outdoor parks where they observe insects and living creatures, as well as investigating discovery trails.

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Outcomes for children are good

Children eagerly practise their developing skills. They enjoy role play and demonstrate good imaginative skills. They dress up as many of their favourite characters and develop simple games together. Children are motivated to explore tactile materials, such as malleable dough. Children persist with activities, such as drawing and colouring. They work well alongside others, discussing what they are doing. All children make good progress given their starting points. The childminder monitors children's progress to ensure that identified gaps in learning are closed. Children are developing the confidence and skills they need to start nursery or school.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY426619 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 852704 Type of provision Childminder Day care type Childminder Registers Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register Age range of children 2 - 4 Total number of places 6 Number of children on roll 3

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Name of provider

Date of previous inspection 18 October 2011

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Telephone number

The childminder was registered in 2011 and lives in Watford. She operates all year round from 8am to 5pm, Monday to Friday, except for bank holidays and family holidays.

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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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