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 addressed the action and recommendations made at the last inspection and as a result, the provision for children has significantly improved.  The childminder successfully promotes children's speaking and listening skills. She uses their interests to extend their learning and to encourage them to talk about what they know and understand.  The childminder uses her interest in creative activities very effectively, helping children to explore colours, textures and their own creative ideas. She provides children with a varied selection of experiences, supported by good teaching that helps them to learn as they play.  The childminder works well in partnership with parents. She is regularly sharing with them, ideas for ways in which they can support children's further learning at home. She is successfully encouraging parents to share further information about their children's latest interests.

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This provision is good

 The childminder demonstrates a commitment to developing her skills through training and research. She shows a strong capacity to improve through her drive to raise standards and offer children ever more interesting experiences.

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It is not yet outstanding because:

 Children who prefer outdoor learning have fewer opportunities to learn about the natural world, how things grow and change over time.

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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

 enhance children's obvious enjoyment of the outdoor learning environment and provide them with more opportunities to explore their understanding of the natural world, growth and changes over time.

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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 and the childminder discussed and reflected on children's learning through play.  The inspector, childminder and 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 household members, observation and assessment of children's progress, the safeguarding procedures and the childminder's self-evaluation.  The inspector looked at questionnaires completed by children and parents and took account of their views.

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management is good

The well-qualified childminder has successfully developed a range of policies and procedures that underpin her work with children. The arrangements for safeguarding are effective. The childminder has a very clear understanding of how to keep children safe and recognises the possible signs that may indicate they are suffering harm. The childminder keeps a close eye on how children are progressing. She produces the required assessments of children's progress and shares these with parents and other professionals working with children. The childminder develops and maintains successful relationships with parents in order to support children's all round well-being. She is successfully evaluating the effectiveness of the service she offers families and setting herself challenging goals to achieve.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

Children thoroughly enjoy the many indoor activities the childminder offers them. She uses much of what interests them effectively to help them extend their learning. For example, she offers lots of sensory experiences where children investigate the feel, appearance and smell of different materials, such as jelly, shaving foam and dried foods. As children play with containers and lentils, the childminder supports them to investigate sounds and textures. They discover how to open containers and use scoops and spoons to fill them. The childminder's enthusiasm and positive attitude helps to inspire the children. Children enjoy listening to stories, studying pictures carefully and pointing to items when the childminder asks them to find things on the page. The childminder helps children to develop their observation skills as they look closely at the features of the jigsaw puzzle. They work hard to find each of the pieces to complete the jungle scene puzzle. They

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

delight talking about their favourite jungle animals as they play.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are good

Children build good relationships with the childminder and others in the home. The childminder supports them to learn how to take turns when playing games and to be kind to one another. Children respond positively to the consistent boundaries for behaviour. The childminder uses the good rapport she has developed to encourage children to try new experiences and to attempt difficult tasks. Children enjoy using the large equipment outside. They are skilled at manoeuvring the tricycles and are well coordinated on the climbing frame and slide. The childminder has developed some aspects of the children's outdoor learning and supports them well when they chose to play outside.

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Outcomes for children are good

Children are well prepared for their future learning in school. The childminder helps them to acquire independence skills. She helps them to become capable of managing their self- care needs with appropriate hygiene routines and putting on their own shoes when going outside. Children are very confident about making their needs known. The older children show their growing understanding of letters, sounds and words in print as they thoroughly enjoy using their photographs and name cards, matching each one correctly.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY256425 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 1042643 Type of provision Childminder Day care type Childminder Registers Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register Age range of children 0 - 9 Total number of places 6 Number of children on roll 7

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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 holds an appropriate qualification at level 3. She works with another registered childminder.

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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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