Davies Lucy

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 25 April 2016 24 November 2010

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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 understands how young children develop and builds on their enthusiasm for learning. She provides a range of experiences that foster good progress.  The childminder develops strong partnerships with parents. She provides newsletters to help keep them informed about activities that will take place in her home. The childminder supplies parents with a written summary of children's progress each term. She invites them to record children's achievements and current interests at home.  Children confidently use modern technology and learn how things work. Some ways that the childminder supports this is by providing a digital camera for them to use. Children also use phones and walkie-talkies as they play. They operate pedestrian crossings and follow the simple instructions that are displayed.  The childminder completes robust risk assessments. She checks her smoke detectors weekly and reviews fire safety practice regularly, with children. This helps the

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This provision is good

childminder to minimise risk for children.

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It is not yet outstanding because:

 The childminder is developing her use of information gathered from parents to form more-precise starting points in children's learning. Therefore, she has yet to use such information in the best possible way to help her to build on what children already know and can do.  The childminder does not always make the very best use of information gained through assessments, which identify next steps in learning for children, in order to inform her activity planning so that children make rapid progress.

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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 more effective use of the information gathered from parents at the start of the placement to contribute towards the initial assessments and an even more precise starting point for each child  make better use of the information gained through assessment about children's learning and development.

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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 took account of the views of parents as provided in reference letters.  The inspector reviewed the childminder's self-evaluation.

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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 for concern about children's welfare and how to report them. She has robust procedures to help her to keep children safe when using modern technology, including computers and games consoles. The childminder demonstrates that she is motivated to sustain her knowledge and continue to raise standards. She meets with other childminders to help her to keep abreast of current childcare issues. The childminder evaluates her practice and maintains a log of professional development. She seeks and attends training that will enhance the care that she provides for children. Since her last inspection, the childminder has improved her knowledge by completing a childcare qualification at level 4.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

The quality of the childminder's interaction with children is good and contributes towards their developing communication skills. One way that she supports the youngest children is by listening intently as they babble and begin to make new sounds. She then talks to them about what they are doing and offers new vocabulary. Children settle comfortably with the childminder to listen to stories. The childminder provides children and parents with a library card and they borrow a book from her selection to take home. This is one way that the childminder supports children's literacy development. The childminder offers several simple ways for children to learn about simple mathematics, such as opportunities to compare the size of toy fish as they play.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are good

The childminder provides good support to parents and children. She visits children in their own home as part of her flexible, settling-in arrangements. Children quickly form trusting relationships with her. The childminder makes good use of the environment and helps children to learn about the world around them. Some examples of this are the wildlife area for hedgehogs and small pond area for tadpoles and frogs that the childminder provides for children to view. Children have opportunities to be active, to help them to learn about good health. One way that the childminder supports this, with older children, is by setting active challenges for them and giving stickers as awards when they are completed. For example, children crawl under obstacles, throw bean bags into targets and complete circuits of the garden.

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Outcomes for children are good

Children practise their developing skills. Younger children explore freely and learn to select toys by themselves. They are motivated to explore materials, such as musical instruments that they shake and bang. The childminder helps the very youngest children to begin to share and take turns. They select toys, such as toy fish and sea creatures, to pass to each other and show clear enjoyment when the childminder praises them for doing so. Children make good progress given their starting points. The childminder monitors children's progress to ensure that identified gaps in learning are closed. They are acquiring the confidence and skills they need to start nursery or school.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY265828 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 848490 Type of provision Childminder Day care type Childminder Registers Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register Age range of children 0 - 8 Total number of places 6 Number of children on roll 7

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Name of provider

Date of previous inspection 24 November 2010

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Telephone number

The childminder was registered in 2003 and lives in St Albans. She provides care from 7.30am to 5.30pm, Monday to Thursday during term time only, excluding bank holidays. The childminder holds an appropriate qualification at level 4.

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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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