Childminder in Hertfordshire

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 1 March 2016 11 January 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 shares her experience and knowledge of child development with parents. She offers ideas for activities to try at home and guidance about developmental stages. In this way, she helps parents to extend their children's learning.  The childminder uses effective teaching techniques that support children in making good progress. She has extended the use of her assessments of children so that she offers them a wide variety of activities that is informed by their interests and needs. Children show a positive, enthusiastic approach to their play and learning.  Children's physical development is promoted and they gain a good understanding of how to keep themselves healthy. They enjoy daily walks and exercise in the fresh air and the childminder talks with them about the positive effects this has.  Children benefit from any new knowledge the childminder gains through training, conducting research and exchanging information with other professionals. She now

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This provision is good

offers children additional craft activities that support them in expressing their creativity.  The childminder supports children in learning to interact and play a positive part in daily life. They help make decisions about activities, understanding that they need to respect other people's views and may need to negotiate and compromise.

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It is not yet outstanding because:

 The childminder does not always make the most of all opportunities to support children in fully developing their skills in critical thinking.  Younger children cannot always make independent choices or fully extend their play indoors as the childminder does not organise all resources as well as possible.

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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

 extend the opportunities for children to think critically during activities and discussions  enhance the organisation of indoor toys and resources to enable younger children to make further independent choices and extend their play.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector observed the quality of teaching during activities and assessed the impact this has on children's learning. She talked with children and the childminder at appropriate times throughout the inspection.  The inspector looked at children's assessment records, planning documentation and evidence of the suitability of household members. She viewed the childminder's self- evaluation information and a range of other documentation, including the safeguarding procedures.  The inspector took account of the views of parents, as given in their written and verbal feedback to the childminder.

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management is good

The childminder works well with other childcare settings that children attend. For example, she exchanges information with them about the most effective ways to promote children's emerging writing skills. The arrangements for safeguarding are effective. The childminder frequently reviews this area so that she is fully aware of how to report any concerns about children's welfare. Her improved risk assessments of outings further promote children's safety and well-being. The childminder evaluates her practice well and makes relevant improvements. She reviews the toys and resources and adds to these according to children's interests and needs, thereby supporting their individual development.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

The childminder plans activities well and makes good use of interesting resources to extend children's creativity and language skills. For example, children play a game with picture dice, making up stories according to the illustrations. They also enjoy playing an assortment of games, such as board games and quoits. This helps to extend their counting skills and use of positional language, such as in front and behind. However, the childminder does not always extend children's opportunities to develop their critical- thinking skills as much as possible during activities and discussions. The childminder offers children exciting opportunities that support them in learning to explore. For example, they hunt for insects in the garden, using magnifying glasses to examine them. They then use books and the internet to identify the different species. The childminder gently reinforces children's learning. For example, after visiting a farm, children play with toy farm animals

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are good

The childminder works well with parents and has enhanced the use of the information they provide. She ensures that she fully understands children's needs and also uses the information to develop a thorough overview of children's starting points so that she can monitor their progress. Children quickly settle and build secure relationships with the childminder. For example, young children laugh and chatter in response to her sensitive interactions. The childminder talks with children and helps them understand their feelings and how to manage their own behaviour. Children enjoy discussing past activities and the childminder helps them recognise the progress they are making. In this way, she builds children's confidence and strengthens their positive emotional outlooks in readiness for school.

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Outcomes for children are good

Children respond positively to the childminder and all are making good progress. The childminder's good interaction helps children to develop the essential skills that support their learning and prepare them for school. Her practical monitoring enables the childminder to quickly address any weaker areas in children's learning. Older children benefit from additional resources and activities that are strengthening the development of their writing skills.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 149621 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 864016 Type of provision Childminder Day care type Childminder Registers Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register Age range of children 1 - 12 Total number of places 6 Number of children on roll 5

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Name of provider

Date of previous inspection 11 January 2010

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Telephone number

The childminder was registered in 1996 and lives in Hitchin. She operates all year round from 7.30am to 5.30pm, Monday to Friday, except for 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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