Childminder in Hertfordshire

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 22 September 2016 Not applicable

p.1

This inspection: Good 2

Effectiveness of the leadership and management Good 2

p.1

This inspection: Good 2

Quality of teaching, learning and assessment Good 2

p.1

This inspection: Good 2

Personal development, behaviour and welfare Good 2

p.1

This provision is good

 The childminder follows a programme of professional development, which includes attending regular training and keeping up to date with legislative changes.  Children's physical development is promoted well. The childminder provides opportunities for them to enjoy fresh air and exercise on a daily basis. They explore a range of different-sized shapes and objects as they enjoy water play outside.  The childminder has effective partnerships with other settings and professionals. She communicates weekly with key staff to share information that supports the care and learning of all children.  Children learn about appropriate ways in which to behave. The childminder promotes positive boundaries and speaks to children in a clear and consistent way. Children are happy and settled. They develop strong relationships with the childminder and form close bonds with other minded children.  The childminder promotes children's mathematical development during activities and

p.1

This provision is good

experiences. For example, she encourages children to recognise shapes and colours as they enjoy looking through a range of story and picture books.

p.1

It is not yet outstanding because:

 The tracking of children's progress is not regularly focused on assessing how well children are achieving, to sharpen planning for their next steps in learning.  The childminder does not seek to evaluate and act on the views of parents to promote continuous improvement and strengthen her own evaluations.

p.1

What the setting needs to do to improve further

To further improve the quality of the early years provision the provider should:

p.2

What the setting needs to do to improve further

 refine the system for assessing progress so that it gives a more regular picture of the achievements made by children in order to sharpen planning for children's next steps in learning  extend opportunities for parents to share their views and evaluations to promote continuous improvements.

p.2

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 looked at a range of documentation, including the safeguarding and complaints procedures. She also viewed some observation and assessment records.  The inspector discussed how the childminder reviews her practice and evaluates her setting.  The inspector observed a range of activities and jointly evaluated this with the childminder. She spoke with the childminder and children at appropriate times throughout the inspection.

p.2

Effectiveness of the leadership and management is good

The childminder has a good relationship with parents. She promotes regular discussion and shares information to support parents in extending their children's learning at home. The arrangements for safeguarding are effective. The childminder attends regular child protection training to help her to promote children's safety. She is aware of the signs and symptoms of abuse and she knows how to manage and report concerns if they arise. The childminder attends a range of courses and network meetings with other childminders, to improve her knowledge and understanding of working with children in the early years. She maintains a training log which includes an evaluation of each course to identify the impact it has on her setting. The childminder evaluates her setting to develop her strengths and improve her weaknesses. However, she does not yet seek or act on the views of parents to strengthen self-evaluation.

p.3

Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

The childminder regularly observes children. She requests information from parents at the start of each contract to establish children's starting points. The childminder uses this information to plan interesting activities and experiences that children engage in. She identifies where children can be challenged and incorporates effective challenge into activities they take part in. However, the childminder does not track children's progress regularly enough to assess how well they are achieving to sharpen planning for their next steps in learning. Children's communication and language development are promoted well. The childminder asks a range of probing questions as she reads stories and includes children into the storytelling. She introduces new words and language which children copy and repeat.

p.3

Personal development, behaviour and welfare are good

Opportunities for children to learn about healthy lifestyles are good. The childminder encourages children to plant, grow and care for a range of fruit and vegetables, which they then harvest and enjoy eating. They have regular discussions about food that is good for you and daily opportunities for physical exercise. Children's personal, social and emotional development are promoted well. The childminder encourages children through praise. For example, she congratulates children for very good sharing as they take part in a tabletop activity. The childminder promotes children's care and well-being. During the settling-in period she works closely with parents to support children to feel safe and secure in their new environment. She ensures that she knows children's routines from home and follows these to incorporate their individual needs into her daily plans.

p.3

Outcomes for children are good

Children are making good progress, in relation to their starting points and capabilities. All children are acquiring the key skills they need for future learning, such as their move to school or nursery. Children thoroughly enjoy outdoor activities. They are encouraged to solve problems and work things out for themselves as they freely explore the many interesting activities available to them.

p.3

Setting details

Unique reference number EY482008 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 993721 Type of provision Childminder Day care type Childminder Registers Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register Age range of children 2 - 6 Total number of places 6 Number of children on roll 3

p.4

Name of registered person

Date of previous inspection Not applicable

p.4

Telephone number

The childminder was registered in 2014 and lives in Welwyn Garden City. She operates Monday to Thursday, from 7am to 6pm, all year round, except for bank holidays and family holidays.

p.4

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.

p.4

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.

p.4

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 .

p.5

Telephone number

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

p.5

Telephone number

T: 0300 123 4234 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ofsted

p.5