Childminder in Hertfordshire

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 13 September 2016 28 April 2015

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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 made significant improvements since the last inspection. She has reviewed her documentation to ensure all of the required permissions are in place. The childminder has changed her practice to ensure children have every possible opportunity to do things for themselves.  The childminder is working closely with other early years settings that children attend. She meets with parents and nursery teaching staff to ensure the move on to school is as seamless as possible.  The childminder is skilled in establishing effective relationships, helping children and their families feel settled in her home. The feedback from parents to the childminder shows they value her. They highlight her ability to understand the needs of the family and praise her for the quality of care that she offers each child.  The childminder offers children interesting opportunities for learning through play in the

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This provision is good

home. She is attentive to their individual needs and interests. The childminder uses a good variety of teaching methods, skilfully adapting to each situation.  The childminder keeps up to date with current practice. She attends regular training events and completes her own research into topics that are relevant to her work with children. She builds on her knowledge and skills and this enhances her teaching.

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It is not yet outstanding because:

 Children do not have as many opportunities as possible to develop their mathematical learning, especially when playing outdoors.  The childminder has not been highly successful in helping parents to fully engage in the transfer to her new system for shared communication about children's learning and progress.

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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 opportunities for children to learn about mathematics  find ways to improve the participation of parents in the transfer to the new system for communication about children's learning and progress.

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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 spoke to the childminder and children 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 and the childminder's qualifications.  The inspector looked at assessment records, the safeguarding procedures and discussed the childminder's self-evaluation.  The inspector looked at questionnaires from parents and took account of their views.

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management is good

The qualified childminder is well organised and has developed a thorough approach to reviewing and updating her documentation. She uses documentation effectively to record children's attendance, any medical issues and to evaluate the safety of her home. The arrangements for safeguarding are effective. The childminder has researched recent changes to child protection procedures. She ensures that her own guidance on recording and reporting concerns is in line with the latest local and national procedures. She keeps up to date with safeguarding and other practice through training and network meetings. This continual professional development helps to maintain the good quality of teaching. The childminder tracks children's progress. She has recently implemented a new online communication system for parents that matches the one used by the local school. The childminder believes this will further enhance the continuity for parents between her

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management is good

provision and that of the local primary school. She evaluates her work with children and looks at ways to improve what she offers them to further support their learning.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

The childminder successfully tailors her effective teaching to children's interests and needs. The link between previous assessments and what children need to learn next is clear to see. The childminder offers children activities that relate directly to their learning needs. Children play turn-taking games with the childminder. They move the toy trains and vehicles along the floor back and forth to each other. The childminder's effective modelling of how some mechanical toys work helps children to have a go at operating them for themselves. They are absolutely delighted as the train moves across the floor, eager to repeat the action time and again. Children demonstrate their good hand control as they use the threading cards and the paintbrushes. They thoroughly enjoy pouring water from one container to another and squeal with delight as it splashes on the ground.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are good

Children are very well behaved. They respond positively to the childminder's calm and reassuring presence. They demonstrate a good understanding of how to share, to speak kindly and be polite to others. Children talk about their family with the childminder who demonstrates her very good knowledge of the different people who are important to them. Children have good opportunities for outdoor play. They are physically active and enjoy daily fresh air and exercise. Young children particularly enjoy the physical challenges presented by the garden steps and the ladder to the slide. The childminder introduces children to appropriate hygiene routines as part of their learning about being healthy. They manage some of their own personal care needs, appropriate to their age.

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Outcomes for children are good

All children are making good progress from their individual starting points. They are confident as they communicate their thoughts and ideas to others. Children are well prepared for the next stage in their learning, such as school. The childminder helps them to acquire vital skills. They are responsible, sensible and enjoy helping others. Children show their enthusiasm for learning as they explore early reading and writing activities.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY336650 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 1050960 Type of provision Childminder Day care type Childminder Registers Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register Age range of children 1 - 9 Total number of places 6 Number of children on roll 10

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Name of registered person

Date of previous inspection 28 April 2015

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Telephone number

The childminder was registered in 2006 and lives in Great Ashby, Stevenage. She operates all year round from 7.30am to 6.30pm, 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

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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