Childminder in Hertfordshire

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 14 September 2016 13 December 2013

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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 positive steps to address the actions raised at the last inspection. For example, he has increased his knowledge about how to effectively use observations and assessment to support and extend children's learning. This information is shared with parents so that they are aware of their children's progress.  The childminder has also developed his understanding about how to successfully use the progress check for children between the age of two and three years. He now has clear information about all children's abilities and provides suitable activities to help their development.  Children enjoy playing with the varied range of resources the childminder provides. He plans enjoyable activities based on their interests and abilities. Children make good progress from their starting points.  Children behave well and form warm and secure relationships with the childminder. They are happy and understand how to share and respect each other's feelings and

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This provision is good

ideas.  The childminder reviews his provision to help him improve his practice. He identifies strengths and weaknesses and discusses with his co-childminder how they can continually improve practice.

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It is not yet outstanding because:

 Occasionally, the childminder does not give children enough opportunities to express their own creative thoughts and ideas.  The childminder has not fully considered how best to ensure that his professional development contributes towards raising the quality of the provision to the highest standard.

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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

 provide children with even more opportunities to express their own creative thoughts and ideas  secure further opportunities for professional development in order to raise the quality of the provision to an even higher standard.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector observed children and the childminder playing together. The inspector spoke to children, the childminder and his co-childminder at appropriate times.  The inspector checked evidence of the suitability and qualifications of the childminder and the suitability of other adults living and working in the home.  The inspector looked at a sample of documentation, including safeguarding policies and procedures and children's records.  The inspector evaluated an activity with the childminder.  The inspector looked at thank you cards from parents and took account of their views expressed in these.

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management is good

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective. The childminder has a secure understanding of how to deal with child protection concerns. He has continued to update and refresh his knowledge about safeguarding issues, including current legislation. The childminder knows how to identify and minimise risks to children at his home and on outings. This helps to contribute to maintaining children's safety. The childminder establishes positive and trusting partnerships with parents. They receive a welcome pack which contains a wealth of information, such as how to help children to be ready for school.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

The childminder plans activities that appeal to children, such as imaginative play and making items using creative materials. He plays alongside children and is very attentive to their needs. For example, children have fun in the playhouse as they pretend to buy and sell ice creams. The childminder encourages children to describe the different flavours that they have. This helps to support their early language skills. The childminder supports children's mathematical skills very effectively. For example, children take turns to spin a dial and have fun matching items to the correct number. He asks them how many items they need to match to the number so that they begin to use simple addition. The regular visits to music sessions help to build on children's confidence when they are in larger groups. During these outings they also learn about the world around them.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are good

Children enjoy positive interactions from the attentive childminder and his co-childminder. There are good settling-in procedures in place to ensure that children are supported well when they first start to attend. The childminder routinely praises children during their play and routines. This helps to promote their self-esteem. Children's health, hygiene needs and understanding of safety are met efficiently. For example, during visits to animal parks children are reminded how to safely handle small animals and to wash their hands after this. The childminder encourages children to be independent. For example, they attend to their personal needs and pour their own drinks. Children sit at the family table for meals; the childminder encourages healthy eating and good manners are promoted.

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Outcomes for children are good

Children are learning the key skills they need in preparation for moving on to school. They are showing an early interest in reading books and are helped to recall stories. Children play together well and show that they have good social skills. They use pencils and crayons to draw on paper. This helps to support children's small-muscle movements in preparation for the development of writing skills. Children learn to solve problems during construction play, such as building an airport. They learn to count and identify shapes during activities and daily routines.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY408901 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 1043596 Type of provision Childminder Day care type Childminder Registers Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register Age range of children 3 - 4 Total number of places 6 Number of children on roll 3

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Name of registered person

Date of previous inspection 13 December 2013

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Telephone number

The childminder was registered in 2010 and lives in Welwyn Garden City. He works with his wife, who is also a registered childminder. The childminder operates all year round from 7am to 6.30pm, Monday to Friday, except for bank holidays and family holidays.

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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

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our website for news, information and updates at www.ofsted.gov.uk/user.

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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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