Childminder in Hertfordshire

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 14 July 2016 20 May 2013

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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

 Since the last inspection, the childminder has made effective changes to her practice. She gathers detailed information from parents about what children can already do when they register with her. This helps her swiftly identify children's starting points in learning.  Children make good progress in their learning and development. They carefully draw observational pictures of the models they have made from construction toys. They draw with precise detail, carefully examining their model. They expertly match colours and spend a prolonged length of time on their pictures.  The childminder effectively supports the needs of children. They are settled and secure in their routine. The childminder ensures they have quiet places to sleep when they need to. Children wake up refreshed and ready to engage in play and learning.  Plentiful toys and resources are easily available to the children, both inside and

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This provision is good

outdoors. The children use a home-made catalogue to choose from an even wider range of toys stored in other areas of the house.  The childminder adopts a consistent, fair approach to behaviour management. Parents state this has a positive impact on their children's behaviour, as the childminder implements clear boundaries.

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It is not yet outstanding because:

 The childminder has not established highly effective ways to share information about children's learning and development with all early years settings that children attend.

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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

 strengthen partnership working with all other settings that child attend, in order to share more development information to promote continuity in children's learning.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector observed the childminder joining in activities with the children and discussed with her the learning that was taking place.  The inspector spoke to the childminder and the children at appropriate times.  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 checked.  The inspector took account of the childminder's self-evaluation and of the views of parents and children.

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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. She has a good knowledge of how to contact the Local Safeguarding Children Board, should she have any concerns about children's welfare. The well-qualified childminder undertakes training to develop her knowledge and skills. For example, she has completed training on supporting children's speech and language skills and feels this has had a positive impact on her practice. The childminder gains the views of parents and children and takes these into consideration as she reflects on and evaluates her ongoing teaching and practice. She effectively reviews and tracks children's progress, ensuring that any weaknesses in their learning are quickly identified and strategies are put in place to address them.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

The childminder provides activities based on children's interests and that challenge their learning. Children carefully build with construction toys. They show a good awareness of space and shape as they easily work out which blocks will fit. When constructions do not work out quite as well as children planned, they seek alternative ways to build. For example, when a tall wall falls over, children look for a flat board as a base and start again. The childminder praises them for their good ideas. Children are pleased when they succeed with their chosen tasks. The childminder knows children's next steps for learning and is able to ensure that the activities they experience continue to motivate them. The childminder encourages parents to share ongoing information about what children are achieving at home. She takes this into consideration in her ongoing planning.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are good

The childminder uses her garden and visits to local parks to promote fun learning outside. These experiences provide exciting opportunities for children to use their physical skills as they run and climb. The childminder takes children to local toddler groups and to activities at the library; children benefit from socialising together as they engage in a wide range of activities. The childminder has effective strategies in place which help children to settle and build strong relationships. Children are supported well to develop their understanding of healthy practices and lifestyles. The childminder provides nutritious snacks and talks to children about the need to eat healthy food. Children show their good independence skills as they choose to do things for themselves, such as washing their hands at appropriate times.

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Outcomes for children are good

Children make good progress and happily engage in age-appropriate activities. The childminder gives children time to work things out for themselves. For example, children work out how a train track fixes together or the best way to wrap a doll in a blanket. They persevere at their tasks, determined to succeed. Children are developing into independent learners who are highly motivated. They are developing key skills which help to prepare them for future learning at nursery and ultimately at school.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY222784 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 1043160 Type of provision Childminder Day care type Childminder Registers Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register Age range of children 1 - 10 Total number of places 6 Number of children on roll 7

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Telephone number

The childminder was registered in 2002 and lives in Stevenage. She operates from 7.30am until 6pm, 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

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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