Childminder in Hertfordshire

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 20 June 2016 12 February 2015

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This inspection: Good 2

Previous inspection: Requires Improvement

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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 experienced childminder has successfully addressed the actions and recommendations raised at the previous inspection. For example, she now attends regular network meetings to consistently update her skills and knowledge. The childminder proactively makes positive improvements to the provision she offers, including those that take account of changes in legislation.  The childminder teaches children to understand that print conveys meaning; this helps to enhance their literacy development. Children thoroughly enjoy her storytelling. She uses intonation in her voice to engage and capture children's attention. The childminder helps children to understand the flow of reading by moving her finger under each word from left to right on the pages.  Children are very confident and settled with the friendly childminder. She offers a caring, nurturing and fun-filled environment for them. Children enjoy her cuddles and

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This provision is good

welcome authorised visitors to join in with their play.  The childminder takes children to a wide range of organised groups and outings in the community. The childminder's honest and age-appropriate response to children's inquisitive questions enables them to learn about similarities and differences between themselves and others. This helps them to develop a good understanding of the world.

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It is not yet outstanding because:

 Occasionally, children are not provided with opportunities to think of their own ideas and ways of solving problems, in order to enhance their thinking skills.  The childminder obtains some useful information from parents when children first attend. However, her questions are not sharply focused to fully support her initial identification of children's precise learning needs.

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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

 provide even more opportunities for children to develop their own ideas to solve problems themselves  extend the level of initial information obtained from parents to include further detail of children's development, in order to plan more precisely for their progress from an early stage.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector observed the quality of teaching during indoor activities and assessed the impact this has on children's learning.  The inspector spoke to the childminder and children at appropriate times.  The inspector observed a planned activity and jointly discussed this with the childminder.  The inspector looked at children's assessment records, a selection of policies, safety procedures and required documentation.  The inspector looked at evidence of the suitability of the childminder and adults who live at the premises over 16 years of age.  The inspector took account of the written views of parents received via email prior to the inspection.  The inspector reviewed how the childminder evaluates her setting to continually improve outcomes for children.

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management is good

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective. The childminder knows how to swiftly meet children's needs in the event of a child protection concern. She keeps accurate records of children's hours of attendance and detailed contact information for all children's parents. The childminder is reflective and continuously evaluates her practice with a view to developing the service she provides even further. She carefully reviews the learning programmes to ensure that any gaps in children's learning are swiftly addressed. The childminder shares her comprehensive range of policies with parents. Therefore, they know how to contact Ofsted should they wish to. Parents appreciate the ongoing detailed feedback of their children's progress and the ideas to extend their children's learning at home. They describe the childminder as professional. Secure partnership working with other settings that children attend effectively supports their continuity in learning.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

The childminder's genuine interest in children's play and her consistent praise motivates them to complete challenging activities. She encourages children to solve complex mathematical ideas in a fun and engaging way. They persevere at correctly identifying rectangular wooden blocks from a selection of different shaped blocks. Children carefully position them an equal distance apart in a vertical position. They have immense fun knocking down the first block to create a domino effect. Children explore how their voices change using a voice changing microphone. They identify colours and use number language as they catch plastic fish with magnetic toy fishing rods. This helps to develop their control and coordination. The childminder places a strong emphasis on promoting children's language skills. She actively listens to the words children attempt to say and helps them with the correct pronunciation. The childminder consistently allows children

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

sufficient time to respond to her questions.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are good

The childminder is a good role model. She calmly and consistently reinforces good manners. Children demonstrate respect for their environment. They help the childminder to tidy away the broad range of good quality toys they have chosen and have finished playing with. Children enjoy a healthy lifestyle. They help the childminder to nurture rhubarb in her garden. They cook and taste this to help them to develop a wide range of tastes. Children are excited to join in with active music and movement sessions. They move their bodies pretending to be snakes and frogs. The childminder makes good use of her inviting garden during the winter months to extend children's learning and physical development. Children collect leaves to make collages and enjoy splashing in muddy puddles.

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Outcomes for children are good

Children are making good progress in their learning given their starting points. They demonstrate a positive attitude towards learning. This helps them to acquire the key skills they need for future learning and they are well prepared for school. Children link letters to sounds. They write their own name independently and sound out each letter.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 149626 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 1050609 Type of provision Childminder Day care type Childminder Registers Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register Age range of children 2 - 7 Total number of places 6 Number of children on roll 3

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Name of registered person

Date of previous inspection 12 February 2015

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Telephone number

The childminder was registered in 1993 and lives in Hitchin. She operates all year round from 8.30am to 5pm, Monday to Thursday, except for bank holidays and 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

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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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