Childminder in Hertfordshire

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 15 June 2016 Not applicable

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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 establishes friendly and caring relationships with the children. She supports them in activities or plays alongside them during play. She expects and encourages good behaviour and praises children often. Children behave well.  The childminder models language well. She narrates what children are doing in activities, asks questions and offers choices to encourage verbal responses. If a word is mispronounced she praises the effort and repeats the word, resulting in the child being keen to try again, often with improved results.  The childminder provides a range of play and learning opportunities to help children develop. She knows the children very well, and refers to age-related goals to help them achieve their next steps. Children make good progress.  The childminder's policies and practices help to ensure the safety and welfare of the children.

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It is not yet outstanding because:

 The childminder does not effectively use information from parents to accurately gather children's starting points, to aid the planning of activities to enable children to make the best possible progress from the beginning.  The outdoor garden space is not a welcoming environment for the children, limiting their outdoor play experiences.

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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

 use the information gathered from parents to quickly establish children's starting points in order to to track progress more accurately  manage the arrangements for outdoor play, to provide more opportunities for children who prefer to be outdoors.

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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 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 good

The childminder has a sound understanding of how to support children to learn through play and provides a variety of activities to help them develop in different ways. She frequently offers encouragement and praise during activities, helping children to become keen learners. The childminder has developed strong relationships with parents and a local school. She has developed her evaluative skills to improve her everyday practice. For example, she has organised the learning environment well, enabling children to confidently self-select toys during free play. Arrangements for safeguarding are effective. The childminder has developed strong practice in relation to the health and welfare of the children. For example, on all outings she takes updated emergency contact details and health information for all children along with a first-aid kit. She manages her small dog and rabbit so that the children can have supervised access to them. The childminder

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management is good

speaks confidently about her policies and her practice is consistent with those policies, including the supervision of visitors.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

The childminder provides challenging and age-appropriate activities for the children, such as decorating crowns. Children choose how to decorate the crowns, and the childminder continuously supports the children. She naturally introduces concepts including counting, shapes and colours. The childminder encourages the children to peel the sticky backing paper from stickers themselves, developing their physical skills and a can do attitude. The childminder knows how to extend activities so that they naturally follow on. Children choose whether they want to make a card or do a picture next. Observations are recorded and shared with parents for feedback. She knows what children's next steps are and how to help them achieve them. The childminder discusses progress with parents regularly. Parents are pleased with their children's care and development.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are good

The childminder promotes independence and cooperative behaviour, for example, children immediately help to match the coloured pen lids and tidy them away at the end of an activity. The childminder appropriately supports younger children with handwashing and self-feeding. Children's care routines are adhered to and any necessary adaptations are agreed with parents. A healthy menu is offered and food choices are discussed. This helps children to understand the importance of a healthy diet. The childminder establishes caring relationships with the children. The children listen carefully to the childminder, enjoying their interactions with her. The children behave well. Children are provided with activities and also the time to explore activities of their own choosing.

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Outcomes for children are good

Children are making good progress. Children concentrate for long periods during activities. In free play children have developed how to extend and have started to solve problems in their play. Children are well prepared for their next steps in learning, including the move to school.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY486376 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 1013139 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 6

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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 2015 and lives in Dane End. She operates all year round, from 7.30am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, excluding family holidays and bank 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

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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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