Childminder in Hertfordshire

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 19 August 2016 22 December 2014

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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 childminder has taken a swift approach to address the actions raised at her last inspection. She now completes precise assessments on all children to support their continued progress and maintains accurate records of children's attendance.  The well-qualified childminder and her assistant know the children well. They re-shape planned activities with ease to ensure they are suitable to each child's age and stage of development, and to help maintain their levels of concentration.  Children are becoming skilful communicators. Young children use non-verbal gestures to indicate their preferences. They hold out their hand and smile as they anticipate the next action during an interactive rhyme. Older children enjoy sharing their favourite superhero books and answering related questions that the childminder asks.  The childminder gathers detailed information from parents when children start to help

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This provision is good

aid a smooth move into her care. Children benefit from a warm, nurturing environment and have developed affectionate bonds with both the childminder and her assistant.  Partnerships with other providers have been built over many years. This enables the childminder to establish an effective two-way flow of information to help promote children's learning. For example, the childminder holds regular discussions with each child's key person, who in turn willingly contributes their observations to children's files.

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It is not yet outstanding because:

 The childminder's programme of professional development is not yet sharply focused on driving the quality of teaching to the highest standard.  The childminder does not always promote the most-able children's independence to the very best extent. For example, occasionally she carries out simple daily tasks that some children could manage themselves.

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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

 embed a more focused programme of professional development that helps to raise the quality of teaching to a higher level  make the best use of everyday opportunities for most-able children to develop their independence even further.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector observed daily routines and children's activities indoors. She talked to the childminder, her assistant and children at appropriate times throughout the inspection.  The inspector observed a planned activity and completed a discussion with the childminder about children's learning, progress and behaviour.  The inspector viewed the childminder's documentation, including policies, a self- evaluation form, training certificates and children's learning journals.  The inspector took account of the views of parents and children through recently completed questionnaires and a number of written references.  The inspector saw evidence of the suitability of all persons living on the premises and other documentation in relation to the safeguarding and welfare requirements.

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management is good

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective. The childminder and her assistant have an in-depth knowledge of child protection issues and know the procedures to follow should they have any concerns for a child's welfare. The childminder has been proactive in gaining support since her last inspection and has established effective links to a children's centre. In addition, she uses online resources to help maintain an up-to-date knowledge of the most recent changes to practice and guidance. The childminder welcomes the views of both parents and children to help identify her own strengths. She regularly reviews the practice of her assistant to ensure he maintains his good quality of teaching. However, as yet, the childminder has not fully considered ways to continue to improve their knowledge in all areas of learning and raise their methods of teaching to the highest level.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

The educational programme is well balanced and closely monitored by the childminder. This helps children to make good progress towards reaching the early learning goals. The childminder uses her careful observations of children and the ongoing information parents share to ensure activities engage all children and provide them with suitable challenge. Children take part in adult-led activities in line with their current interests and have time to indulge in self-chosen play. Older children design magnets during a planned activity and use glue to place coloured sand with precision. They engage in purposeful discussion with the childminder about their recent holiday experiences and use vocabulary focused on people of particular importance to them. Young children concentrate as they carefully position stickers of beach balls and ice-creams on to their pictures.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are good

The relationship between the childminder and her assistant provides children with a good role model. This helps them to learn expected ways to behave. Children adhere to clear boundaries and show kindness towards others. They demonstrate good levels of social skills as they share resources and say please and thank you unprompted. Children learn about people and communities. Some of the ways they do this is through craft activities to celebrate family customs and taking part in competitions at local village fetes. Children often win a prize for their efforts in baking and design. The childminder and her assistant follow safe hygiene practice. They encourage children to wash their hands after wiping their noses and before mealtimes. In addition, children enjoy regular outdoor learning opportunities to help promote their good health. For instance, they play in the childminder's garden and enjoy walking the dog together alongside the local railway track.

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Outcomes for children are good

Children make good progress given their starting points. They are motivated to learn and confidently speak with others about their interests and opinions. Children have the ability to listen and take time to consider and solve problems with support. They know their colours, the month of their birthday and recognise the letters of their own and other family members' names. Children have developed the essential skills to help prepare them in readiness for school.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 149060 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 1044766 Type of provision Childminder Day care type Childminder Registers Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register Age range of children 1 - 5 Total number of places 12 Number of children on roll 3

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Name of registered person

Date of previous inspection 22 December 2014

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Telephone number

The childminder was registered in 2001 and lives in Wheathampstead. She operates all year round from 7.30am to 5.30pm on Monday to Friday, except for bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder holds a childcare qualification at level 3 and is registered to work with an assistant. She provides funded early education for three- and four-year- old children.

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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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