Childminder in Hertfordshire

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 17 May 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

 Teaching is outstanding. The childminder expertly promotes children's interests and learning styles, both indoors and outdoors. For example, exciting mark-making activities are available in all areas. Children develop great interest and skills from an early age.  The childminder expertly plans experiences to interest and challenge children. For example, they enjoy exploring keys, locks, flaps and textures during well-resourced activities. Children are eager to learn, concentrate very well and persist.  The childminder observes and assesses children's skills exceptionally well. She knows what their learning needs are and expertly promotes these through play. For example, children play with balloons and count how many they can fit in a tent.  The childminder is inspirational in the way she teaches children to be independent and manage their own hygiene. Routines are expertly tailored to individual children, who

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This provision is outstanding

are comfortable and very confident.  The childminder expertly supports children's emotional needs, in partnership with parents. Children are praised for their achievements and behave exceptionally well.  The childminder builds on links with other settings that children attend and exchanges valuable information with them about children's needs. This results in children benefiting from excellent continuous support.  Reflective practice is highly effective. The childminder regularly consults with parents and undertakes audits of her practice to ensure continuous improvement.  The childminder maintains a targeted training programme to continuously enhance her teaching and to keep her knowledge up to date with current legislation. New ideas are implemented at all times and children flourish in her care.

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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

 enhance even further the opportunities for children to develop awareness of the diverse cultures 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 a joint observation of an activity with the childminder.  The inspector held discussions with the childminder throughout the inspection. She looked at relevant documentation, such as self-evaluation and evidence of the suitability of the childminder and household members. The inspector also looked at the childminder's qualifications and training.  The inspector took account of the views of parents through written feedback notes and questionnaires.

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management is outstanding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective. The childminder demonstrates exceptional practice with regard to protecting children. She participates in regular safeguarding training and knows where to go for guidance and support should concerns arise. Links with external professionals are well established. Children are promptly supported. The childminder is inspirational in how she involves parents in all aspects of practice, and parents highly praise her services. She thoroughly risk assesses play areas, resources and outings to ensure children's safety. The childminder records children's care and learning in detail to monitor their well-being and welfare. Children thrive in her care.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is outstanding

Children have fun and are fascinated by their experiences. For example, they learn the concept of on, in and under while their skills are challenged on the climbing frame. The childminder provides children with warm interactions and plenty of opportunities to develop their language, physical and social skills. She expertly supports their creativity and imagination. They enjoy craft activities and access a variety of dressing up clothes, accessories and toys to extend their play. For example, they use handbags to transport building blocks outside. The childminder is a dedicated and talented teacher. Her kindness is contagious and children have a great role model. For example, children enjoy pretending that dolls are not well and learn to care for them. Partnerships with parents are highly effective and children have exceptional support.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are outstanding

The childminder obtains all necessary information from parents about children's personal needs. She provides children with outstanding opportunities to lead healthy lifestyles. Children enjoy nutritious meals, are active and enjoy daily fresh air. They enjoy educational projects that teach them about the world. They learn about the weather, nature and popular festivals. However, the childminder identifies that there is still capacity to build on children's growing learning and awareness of cultures within their own community. Children learn to be alert, manage their personal safety and to be mindful of others. They respect the environment and rules. The childminder is extremely attentive towards children and they form very strong bonds.

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Outcomes for children are outstanding

Expert planning ensures any gaps in children's progress are narrowed. There are high expectations set for all children. For example, they learn to count as they blow and burst bubbles, play on the see-saw and decorate sandcastles with shells. All areas of learning are promoted with great attention and children show exceptional progress. Children's literacy skills are particularly well developed. They access a wide range of books and plenty of activities that promotes their early reading and writing skills. Children confidently develop their skills in preparation for nursery and school.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 130333 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 874879 Type of provision Childminder Day care type Childminder Registers Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register Age range of children 1 - 11 Total number of places 6 Number of children on roll 10

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Name of registered person

Date of previous inspection 22 March 2011

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Telephone number

The childminder was registered in 1984 and lives in Watford. She operates all year round, Monday to Friday from 7am to 6pm, except for bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder provides funded education for two-, 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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