Childminder EY478287

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 8 June 2016 Not applicable

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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

 Children thrive in the stimulating and well-resourced learning environment. Children are very keen to explore the activities indoors and outdoors. They acquire very good physical skills and are well supported by the caring and attentive childminder.  Teaching and planning are extremely strong. The carefully chosen resources enrich the experiences for children, helping them to become motivated learners. The childminder accurately observes children and tracks their progress carefully, focusing on any areas where they need further support.  Highly effective partnership working ensures that children who have special educational needs and those who speak English as an additional language are extremely well supported. The childminder has forged strong working relationships where care is shared with other settings, to ensure consistency in children's assessment and to effectively support them with their next steps in learning.

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This provision is outstanding

 Communication with parents is exemplary, including providing timely online diary entries with many photographs for each day. Parents greatly appreciate these and use them to encourage the children to share news about their day. Parent feedback shows this has supported children to say new words at home, helping to link learning between home and the childminder's setting.  The childminder is vigilant and knowledgeable about children's welfare and safety, and she completes regular risk assessments. Together with the policies, these are available for parents to access online. She has evacuation plans and location of first-aid kits prominently displayed to ensure children's welfare in an emergency.

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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

 build upon the existing strong relationships with parents to develop the use of parents' feedback in evaluating practice.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector held discussions with the childminder regarding observations of children's play, learning and progress.  The inspector observed an adult-led activity, free play indoors and outdoors and a mealtime.  The inspector checked evidence of the childminder's qualifications and training, and suitability of all household members.  The inspector reviewed policies, procedures and documents available, including feedback from parents.  The inspector discussed the childminder's self-evaluation and improvement plans.

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management is outstanding

The well-qualified childminder is extremely well organised and is committed to continuing her professional development. She uses her phonics training effectively to teach children to acquire the skills they need for school. She has built very strong relationships with parents and effectively communicates with them. The childminder continually evaluates practice to improve the experiences for children, but does not yet make best use of parents' feedback in evaluating her practice. Highly effective partnership working has been developed with other settings and agencies, including with a local nursery, to regularly agree children's next steps in learning. The childminder has extremely robust policies and procedures in place to underpin her excellent practice. Safeguarding is effective. The childminder is confident about what to do if she has concerns relating to the welfare of a child.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is outstanding

The childminder has an excellent understanding of how to support children in their learning. An impressive learning environment includes many accessible craft and mark- making areas, helping to prepare children for going to school. She plans meticulously for the children in her care, taking into account their interests and choices and helping them to achieve their next steps in learning. The childminder thoughtfully themes the play and learning each half term with a new topic, for example, mini-beasts or zoo animals. For each topic, she has developed many challenging planned activities, such as exploring zoo animals in the sand tray with magnifying glasses. The childminder gathers children's starting points quickly and effectively uses information from parents. She conducts regular and focused observations by assessing children's progress in activities that she has planned to help them achieve their goals. Teaching is exemplary, particularly the quality of

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is outstanding

interactions and the use of questioning, and as a result, children progress quickly. Progress is closely monitored, tracked and discussed regularly with parents. Next steps for children are agreed with parents and when they are achieved, new ones are immediately set.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are outstanding

The childminder quickly establishes caring relationships with the children, resulting in them being happy and confident in her care. Children are keen learners as they explore the interesting activities in the learning environment. The childminder supports children to become independent, for example, by enabling them to cut up fruit for snacks. They learn about healthy lifestyles and behave very well. Children benefit because the childminder has been very involved in a pilot project, helping them to be emotionally prepared to start school.

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Outcomes for children are outstanding

Children are very keen to join in and concentrate for long periods during activities. They are making substantial and continuous progress from their starting points, including those who speak English as an additional language. Children are very prepared and acquire the skills they need for the move to school.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY478287 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 979903 Type of provision Childminder Day care type Childminder Registers Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register Age range of children 0 - 11 Total number of places 6 Number of children on roll 4

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Name of registered person

Date of previous inspection Not applicable

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Telephone number

The childminder was registered in 2014 and lives in Hemel Hempstead. She operates from 7.30am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, during term time only. The childminder holds qualified teacher status and provides funded early education for 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

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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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