Childminder in Hertfordshire

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 29 July 2016 10 April 2014

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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 her last inspection the childminder has improved her assessments of children's progress and how she shares information with parents. She has extended her understanding of safeguarding issues and brought her policy in line with the Local Safeguarding Children Board guidance and procedures. The childminder now completes effective self-evaluation to sustain improvement.  Children show good control and coordination in their physical development. They are able to move confidently around obstacles in their path. Children handle equipment and tools very effectively, including paintbrushes.  Children show that they have developed good social and self-help skills. They are able to share and demonstrate good manners as they say please and thank you without prompting. Older children help themselves to snacks and offer the food to younger children, reminding them that they need to have something to eat too.

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This provision is good

 The childminder gathers important information about each child before they start. This helps her to understand their likes, dislikes and what they already know and can do. The childminder uses this information to help children settle quickly into her care.  Parents report that the childminder is caring, friendly and looks after their children well. They state that they would strongly recommend the childminder to others.

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It is not yet outstanding because:

 On occasion, the childminder does not consistently allow children sufficient time to become deeply involved in their play and work things out for themselves.  At times, older children are not provided with opportunities to develop their speech and language skills even further during activities.

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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

 support children in becoming more deeply involved in play during planned activities to extend their thinking and encourage them to work things out and come up with their own ideas  provide more opportunities for older children to develop their speech and language skills during activities.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector observed the quality of teaching during activities indoors and assessed the impact this has on children's learning.  The inspector completed a joint observation with childminder.  The inspector held a number of discussions with the childminder. She looked at relevant documentation, such as the childminder's self-evaluation form and evidence of the suitability of persons living in the household.  The inspector took account of the views of children spoken to during the inspection.  The inspector took account of the views of parents through written feedback provided.

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management is good

The childminder speaks to parents on a daily basis and holds a more formal meeting approximately every six weeks. This enables her to give parents feedback about their child's care and learning. The childminder is well qualified, which helps to ensure that children are able to experience a wide range of good quality learning opportunities. The arrangements for safeguarding are effective. The childminder has maintained a good understanding of child protection issues through training. She is aware of how to recognise the signs of abuse and knows how to make a referral if she has any concerns. The childminder completes regular risk assessments of her home and outings. Parents report that the childminder provides a safe and welcoming environment.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

The childminder is aware of children's development levels. Planning is based on her clear understanding of children's interests and identified learning needs. The childminder also uses a good range of teaching methods to promote children's engagement in a wide range of stimulating learning opportunities. Children demonstrate good levels of curiosity and interest. They show their growing understanding of the world as they recall the life cycle of a butterfly. They become animated, using their hands to demonstrate size along with mathematical language. They describe how the caterpillar grew bigger and bigger, eventually turning into a cocoon. However, at times the childminder does not fully use her teaching skills to extend older children's language development even further. Children use their imagination well during play. They fit construction bricks together to build a house for their toy caterpillar, protecting it from being eaten by birds.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are good

Children have built strong bonds with the childminder. They enjoy spending time with her and request her support when needed. Children are confident and self-assured as they freely explore their environment and activities. They are well behaved and are aware of the childminder's expectations. Children respond positively when they are reminded to sit nicely on the sofa. They understand that they could fall off and hurt themselves. Older children show a good understanding of how to keep themselves healthy. For example, they are aware of what types of foods are good for them and know that they should not eat too many sweets. Children are provided with regular opportunities to be outside and talk excitedly about how much fun they have chasing each other around.

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Outcomes for children are good

Children are eager to learn and show that they can sustain good levels of concentration for prolonged periods of time. Children develop their physical skills as they learn how to use scissors to cut out a leaf shape. The childminder monitors children's levels of progress regularly. This helps her to make certain that any extra support they require is identified and put in to place quickly. Children make good progress towards the early learning goals, based on their starting points. They develop the essential skills that they need and are well prepared for their next stage in learning at nursery or school.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY442330 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 1040973 Type of provision Childminder Day care type Childminder Registers Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register Age range of children 0 - 10 Total number of places 6 Number of children on roll 7

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Name of registered person

Date of previous inspection 10 April 2014

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Telephone number

The childminder was registered in 2012 and lives in Hatfield. She operates all year round from 7am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, except for bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder holds an appropriate childcare 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

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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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