Childminder in Hertfordshire

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 14 March 2016 10 November 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's teaching is strong and children make good progress. She takes note of children's current interests and development needs and plans interesting and challenging activities to extend their learning.  Children are independent and confident to explore the safe and welcoming environment. A varied range of resources is available to children. They keenly select what they want to play with and this helps to develop their independence.  The childminder gathers meaningful information from parents when children start in her setting. She ensures her settling-in arrangements are flexible to meet children's individual needs. This helps children to quickly feel comfortable in her home.  The childminder promotes children's language development through her supportive interactions during daily routines and play activities. She talks to them about what they are doing and gives them time to respond.

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This provision is good

 The childminder uses self-evaluation to reflect on her practice. She takes into account the views of parents, which she gains from questionnaires and her regular discussions with them.

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It is not yet outstanding because:

 Although the childminder generally builds good relationships with other settings where children attend, she does not always obtain enough information about children's prior learning and development from their previous settings.

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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

 gain more-detailed information about children's prior learning from the settings they previously attended to more precisely identify children's starting points.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector observed the childminder joining in activities with children and discussed the learning that was taking place with her.  The inspector saw the areas of the premises and garden used for childminding.  The inspector looked at children's assessment records and planning documentation. Evidence of the suitability of household members and a range of other documents, including the safeguarding policy, were also seen.  The inspector took account of the childminder's self-evaluation form and the views of parents.

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management is good

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective. The childminder is confident about following child protection procedures, which helps to protect children's welfare. She effectively reviews children's progress. This helps to ensure that any gaps in learning are quickly identified and strategies are put in place to narrow them. The childminder networks with other childminders and undertakes regular training to develop her knowledge and skills. She effectively adapts her teaching strategies based on her new knowledge and understanding of how children learn and develop. Through written references and thank you cards, parents express high levels of satisfaction with the care and education that the childminder provides.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

The well-qualified childminder provides interesting and fun activities to challenge children's learning and development. Children particularly enjoy playing imaginatively using the wide range of resources available to them. They make up stories with play people and animals and enjoy feeding and dressing their pretend babies. The childminder is aware of children's next steps for learning and is able to ensure that the activities they experience continue to challenge and motivate them. The children show their developing understanding of mathematics as they name and match shapes and colours. The childminder uses daily diaries and discussions to help the parents know what the children are learning through the day. She encourages parents to share ongoing information on what children are achieving at home. This helps her to enhance her good planning for each child's needs and interests.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are good

Children form strong, emotional attachments with the childminder and are relaxed in her welcoming home. They demonstrate their excellent communication skills as they talk to visitors. The childminder respects and meets young children's individual routines, such as when they need to eat and sleep. This helps children to feel secure in her care. Children are supported well in developing the skills that they need to adopt a healthy lifestyle. The childminder provides nutritious snacks and meals each day and talks to the children about healthy food. She uses her garden and walks in the local community to promote fun and learning outside. These experiences provide wonderful opportunities for children to use their physical skills. The childminder takes children to local toddler groups and takes them on trips with other childminders and their children. These activities allow children to benefit from socialising together as they engage in a wide range of activities.

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Outcomes for children are good

Children make good progress and some exceed development expectations, especially in their communication and language skills. The childminder has good knowledge of each child's ongoing development level. Children are developing into independent learners who are highly motivated. They are developing key skills, which prepares them well for future learning at nursery and ultimately at school.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY346735 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 849419 Type of provision Childminder Day care type Childminder Registers Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register Age range of children 2 - 10 Total number of places 6 Number of children on roll 12

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Name of provider

Date of previous inspection 10 November 2011

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Telephone number

The childminder was registered in 2007 and lives in Hemel Hempstead. She operates from 7.15am to 6.15pm, Monday to Friday, except for bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder holds an early years 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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