Childminder in Hertfordshire

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 28 September 2016 Not applicable

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This inspection: Outstanding 1

Effectiveness of the leadership and management Outstanding 1

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This inspection: Outstanding 1

Quality of teaching, learning and assessment Outstanding 1

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This inspection: Outstanding 1

Personal development, behaviour and welfare Outstanding 1

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This provision is outstanding

 The childminder provides high-quality learning experiences for all children. She has rapidly developed her teaching skills, in order to help children of different ages and abilities to enjoy and benefit from activities together. The childminder expertly adapts her teaching to support each child's personal learning.  The childminder expertly helps children to settle in. She is very caring and considerate, making sure she works extremely closely with parents to ensure she can support children as well as she possibly can.  The childminder observes children's play and learning to plan precisely. She continually offers highly appropriate challenges to accelerate their progress. As part of their hand control development, the childminder supports children to cut fruits and salad vegetables. They show great skill and a sense of achievement as they safely use the knives under close supervision.  The childminder helps children to develop their confidence in speaking and listening.

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This provision is outstanding

She supports children very effectively, structuring activities and experiences that help children to express themselves and to share their own thoughts and ideas with others.  The childminder continues to build on her own skills. She attends regular training events, local network meetings and does her own research in order to develop an even greater understanding of early years practice.  The childminder has successfully engaged all parents in supporting children's learning in her setting and at home. She has implemented effective communication tools that enable parents to keep up to date with what their children are achieving on a daily basis.

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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 the opportunities for children to learn about and appreciate other cultures and communities to a greater depth.

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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 and the childminder discussed and reflected on children's learning through play.  The inspector had discussions with the childminder and children at appropriate times throughout the inspection.  The inspector looked at a range of documentation including policies and evidence of the suitability of adults in the home. She looked at records of observation and assessment of children's progress, the safeguarding procedures and the childminder's self-evaluation.  The inspector spoke to parents and looked at letters they had sent in, taking account of the views expressed.

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management is outstanding

The childminder is exceptionally well organised. She has worked hard to simplify and streamline the documentation for improved efficiency. The arrangements for safeguarding are effective. The childminder is up to date with the latest guidance on child protection. She is very clear about her responsibility to report any concerns about children's welfare to her Local Safeguarding Children Board. The childminder effectively evaluates what she offers children. She continually reflects on how she can improve the range of experiences available. For example, the childminder recognises the possibility for extending children's opportunities to explore their understanding of the cultures and customs of the wider world. The childminder works closely with other settings that children attend, in order to ensure their continued success and to ensure she offers precisely tailored teaching.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is outstanding

Children's interests are always used as a basis for planning the very broad range of activities. The childminder is highly skilled. She cleverly weaves learning into each interaction. When making festival masks she helps children to build their small-muscle skills as they use the scissors. She supports them in their creative expression as they lay out their design. When children question the childminder over the need for lots of glue to stick the heavy buttons on securely, she is ready to help them explore concepts of lightest and heaviest. Children say the buttons are not heavy and the childminder is immediately able to help them find out about the weight of the buttons and the feathers as they use the digital scales. The childminder uses skilful questioning to help children share what they know with others. Children have a love of books. They thoroughly enjoy participating in the interactive story times that support them to build on their knowledge and

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is outstanding

understanding, exploring their imagination.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are outstanding

Children thrive in the childminder's care. She adapts the play environment in order to maximise the chances for children to make independent choices. She has changed how she stores the dressing-up clothes in order to make it much easier for children to use them whenever they need to. The childminder is an excellent role model. She helps children to express their feelings in a positive way to get along with others. Children enjoy high levels of independence. The childminder always supports children to have a go for themselves whenever it is safe to do so. Children show high levels of confidence when in the reassuring presence of the childminder. Children are active outdoors; the childminder makes the very best use of her local community to extend children's experience with exciting trips to cafes and groups. Children are well behaved and have strong social skills.

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Outcomes for children are outstanding

Children are making superb progress in their learning. Children who speak English as an additional language are rapidly gaining confidence and competence in using English. Children are well prepared for the next stage in their learning, such as school. The childminder helps them to build their concentration span. She fosters children's inquisitive natures helping them to remain eager learners.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY478119 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 985766 Type of provision Childminder Day care type Childminder Registers Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register Age range of children 2 - 8 Total number of places 6 Number of children on roll 7

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Name of registered person

Date of previous inspection Not applicable

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Telephone number

The childminder was registered in 2014 and lives in Royston. She operates all year round from 8am to 5.30pm, Monday to Friday, except for bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder supports children who speak English as an additional language.

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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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