Childminder in Hertfordshire

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 13 July 2016 28 January 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

 The childminder has made considerable improvements to her practice since the last inspection. She has updated her safeguarding knowledge, including the latest government regulations. She is aware of the procedure to follow if she has concerns or there is an allegation made against someone in the household.  The childminder promotes children's personal and social skills particularly well. She helps them to learn how to interact with other children, such as sharing and turn taking and this has a positive impact on their friendships.  The childminder has successfully engaged parents in sharing what their child is capable of when they first start with her. This has helped her to plan precisely for children's individual needs from the outset.  The childminder offers children a welcoming play environment, where they have easy access to the toys and resources that interest them most. The high-quality equipment

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This provision is good

allows the childminder to get really involved. For example, the strong tricycles are robust enough for the childminder to ride with children, which brings plenty of laughter from them all.  The childminder pays particular attention to children's health and dietary needs. She works hard with parents to provide for children with significant dietary restrictions to ensure they have a balanced diet that is also enjoyable to eat.

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It is not yet outstanding because:

 Children do not learn about how to keep themselves safe when tackling new challenges. The childminder takes great care when children are playing and tells them to be careful but does not explain why in order to further their understanding.

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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 learn about how to keep themselves safe when tackling new challenges.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector observed the quality of teaching during activities indoors and outdoors and assessed the impact this has on children's learning.  The inspector completed a joint observation with the childminder.  The inspector, the childminder and the children had discussions at appropriate times throughout the inspection.  The inspector looked at a range of documentation including policies, evidence of the suitability of the childminder and other members of the household. She also viewed observation and assessment records of children's progress, the safeguarding procedures and the childminder's self-evaluation.  The inspector looked at questionnaires completed by parents and children and took account of their views.

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management is good

The childminder is well organised. She has updated her policies to ensure they comply with current requirements. The arrangements for safeguarding are effective. The childminder recognises the signs that may indicate that a child is at risk of harm. She has the contact details for her local authority and is equipped to report any potential child protection concerns. The childminder works closely with other settings that children attend to help provide continuity in their learning. The childminder reflects on her practice with her co-childminder to help identify aspects of what is offered that they wish to improve or enhanced. In addition, she uses the responses from the questionnaires, completed by children and their parents to help her decide on how best to improve her service. The childminder is continually reviewing children's progress and is taking effective steps to help them make the best possible progress.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

The quality of teaching is good. The childminder uses her observations of children well to assess their progress. She successfully identifies where children are doing well and where they would benefit from further targeted support. The childminder plans and delivers appropriate activities for children who have special educational needs or disability. Children enjoy exploring the resources. They play with different-sized toy turtles, moving them around a large tray and placing them in containers. Children compare the sizes and colours. They pretend to make it rain as they drop handfuls of dry lentils onto the turtles. They try to hide them from view and enjoy revealing their hiding places. Children are keen to use new words. Those children who speak English as an additional language are rapidly gaining confidence in using English in their everyday play. The childminder uses her knowledge of other languages to translate what children say. This offers all children a

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are good

Children behave well and the childminder's calm and fair but firm approach helps them to feel secure. Children show they feel safe in the childminder's care as they involve her in their play and seek her out when they need support. The childminder is careful to follow parents' wishes about children's care and daily routine. She gives special attention to supporting children as they learn to use the toilet, making sure they develop the independence skills they need. Children are very active and spend plenty of time outdoors. The childminder makes good use of the local woods and open play spaces to offer children a variety of exciting physical challenges and daily fresh air.

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Outcomes for children are good

Children are making good progress in their learning. The childminder is helping them to prepare for their learning in school. She supports children to develop their concentration. She encourages them to use their speaking and listening skills with plenty of storytelling and lively conversations. Children show their growing confidence in counting and organising things into groups. They are interested in words and are motivated to make the links between letters and sounds.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY256419 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 1042642 Type of provision Childminder Day care type Childminder Registers Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register Age range of children 1 - 13 Total number of places 6 Number of children on roll 18

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Name of registered person

Date of previous inspection 28 January 2013

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Telephone number

The childminder was registered in 2003 and lives in Stevenage. She operates all year round from 6.30am to 6.30pm, Monday to Friday, except for bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder works with another registered childminder. The childminder supports children who have special educational needs or disability and children who speak English as an additional language.

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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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