Collins, Caroline

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 4 October 2016 13 November 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 made significant progress in improving the provision she offers since her previous inspection. All adults living on the premises who are aged over 16 years hold a Disclosure and Barring Service check.  Children demonstrate that they are happy and feel secure in the childminder's care. They develop friendly relationships with each other and form a warm bond with the childminder. Children welcome her sensitive interaction in their play, enjoy her cuddles and confidently talk to visitors about the activities they enjoy.  The childminder successfully works in partnership with parents and other settings that children attend. She ensures that parents are fully informed of their children's day and their development. The childminder works collaboratively with parents to help prepare children for changes in their lives and provides ideas to support their learning at home. Parents describe the childminder as 'amazing'.

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This provision is good

 The childminder takes children to a range of organised groups and outings in the community, such as visits to a local farm where they are able to groom miniature horses and observe wildlife. Children learn how to carefully handle and care for the childminder's giant African land snail. They are fascinated as they watch baby snails hatch from their eggs.

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It is not yet outstanding because:

 Opportunities for children to recognise familiar words and signs to extend their early reading skills are not fully explored.  On occasions, children are not provided with excellent opportunities to think of their own ideas and ways of solving problems, in order to develop their thinking skills.

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What the setting needs to do to improve further

To meet the requirements of the Childcare Register the provider must:

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Due Date

 ensure a written statement of procedures is in place to be followed in relation to a complaint which a parent makes in writing or by email. 18/10/2016

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Due Date

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

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Due Date

 provide further opportunities for children to recognise familiar words and signs  extend the opportunities for children to develop their own ideas and thinking, in order to solve problems in their play and learning.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector observed the quality of teaching during indoor activities and assessed the impact this has on children's learning.  The inspector spoke to the childminder and children at appropriate times.  The inspector observed a planned activity and jointly discussed this with the childminder.  The inspector looked at children's assessment records, a selection of policies, safety procedures and required documentation.  The inspector looked at evidence of the suitability of persons aged 16 years and over who live at the premises.  The inspector took account of the written views of parents and reviewed the childminder's self-evaluation process.

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management is good

The well-qualified and experienced childminder talks to parents about the procedure to follow should they wish to make a complaint. However, the childminder does not have a written procedure in place. This is a requirement of the Childcare Register. The arrangements for safeguarding are effective. The childminder clearly explains to visitors to her home the procedures she expects them to adhere to. This helps to keep children safe and promote their welfare. The childminder is reflective and continuously evaluates her practice with a view to developing the service she provides even further. She carefully reviews children's development to ensure that any gaps in their learning are swiftly identified and addressed. The childminder is committed to continuing to improve her knowledge and skills. She reads professional publications and discusses good practice with a close network of other childminders. This has increased her knowledge of how to

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management is good

effectively promote children's understanding of continuing to respect and have a positive attitude towards others.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

The childminder's praise for children's achievements motivates them to complete challenging activities. They enjoy completing large foam number puzzles and match the correct quantity of toy bricks to the corresponding number. Children use number names in their play. For example, they count how many toys bricks they have joined together to build a tower. Children develop a good understanding of the world. They taste traditional spices from different counties and learn about similarities and differences between each other. Children use a range of craft materials to create their own faces. They talk about and compare their different features.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are good

The childminder is a good role model. She calmly and consistently reinforces good manners and positive behaviour. She raises children's awareness of how to keep safe during their play and when out in the community. Children plant and nurture a range of fruit and vegetables in the childminder's garden. This helps them to understand where food comes from. Children demonstrate a good awareness and respect for the environment. At the end of the day or before going to nursery they pour any water left in their drinking bottles onto their produce. Daily access to the childminder's garden and visits to local parks help children to develop good physical skills. They jump on jets of water that squirt up from the ground and spin themselves around on large equipment.

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Outcomes for children are good

Children are making good progress in their learning given their starting points. The childminder promotes children's communication and language well. Children eagerly use complex sentences to share their thoughts and talk about family members and their favourite songs. The childminder sensitively supports them with the pronunciation of new words she introduces them to, such as frisbee. Children independently fasten the buttons on their clothing. These skills help to prepare them well for their next stage of learning and the eventual move on to school.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 149177 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 1044473 Type of provision Childminder Day care type Childminder Registers Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register Age range of children 1 - 6 Total number of places 6 Number of children on roll 6

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Name of registered person

Date of previous inspection 13 November 2014

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Telephone number

The childminder was registered in 1994 and lives in Stevenage. She operates all year round from 7am until 6pm, Monday to Friday, except for bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder holds a 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

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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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