Childminder in Hertfordshire

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 5 October 2016 Not applicable

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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

 Teaching is good. The childminder interacts very well with children. She is a natural communicator with them and she makes learning fun. For example, she makes postboxes with children and they create cards and letters to send to family and friends. They then count how many items are in the postbox. This helps to support their early numeracy skills.  The childminder has a warm and friendly personality. She offers a homely environment where children form secure attachments with her.  The childminder observes children to identify what they can do and what they need to learn. She offers a range of interesting learning experiences, both inside and outside.  The childminder promotes positive behaviour very consistently. She has clear boundaries and a calm, sensitive approach, appropriate to children's age and stage of development.  The childminder is a very good role model for children and promotes their

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This provision is good

understanding about the world. For example, older children enjoy discussing the origins of various artefacts that she has in her home.  The childminder attends purposeful training. She also meets regularly with other registered childminders to discuss new ideas and to share good practice.

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It is not yet outstanding because:

 The childminder has not explored further ways to engage parents more actively in their children's learning, particularly for supporting and extending learning at home, in order to inform planning more precisely.

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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

 build further on the partnerships with parents, so that they can be more actively involved in supporting their child's learning at home, contributing to more precise planning.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector spoke to the childminder and the children at appropriate times and engaged in their play. The inspector observed the childminder's and children's interactions with each other, both indoors and outdoors.  The inspector looked at children's development records, evidence of suitability of those living on the premises, and the childminder's training records.  The inspector carried out a joint observation with the childminder.  The inspector took account of parents' views provided in references and thank-you cards left with the childminder.

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management is good

The childminder is well organised. Since registration, she has kept up to date with new legislation and continually attends training to increase her knowledge to support her childminding practice. The arrangements for safeguarding are effective. The childminder is aware of procedures to follow if she has any concerns about children in her care. She regularly reviews her policies to ensure that they contain new information. The childminder uses a reflective approach to reviewing activities completed with the children. This helps her to evaluate her practice and to identify new ideas to help children's learning.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

The childminder is attentive to children and she is skilled at supporting their learning during their play. For example, she effectively uses children's interests to engage them in learning about different animals. They have fun finding these that are buried in straw and lots of laughter takes place. The childminder listens attentively to children during their play. She introduces them to new words, which children repeat. This helps to support younger children's language development. Children cuddle up to the childminder to share popular storybooks together. The childminder is mindful of supporting children who speak English as an additional language. She obtains keywords used by children and helps them to make links in their understanding. Creative activities, such as art and craft and playing with foam, are routinely carried out to support children's hand-to-eye coordination skills.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are good

Children form secure attachments with the childminder. The childminder gathers detailed information from parents so that she knows children's routines, preferences and backgrounds. This helps children to make a smooth move to the childminder's care. She is very responsive to all their needs and gives them gentle reassurance. This helps to build on their confidence to persevere at tasks, such as learning how to successfully put on their own shoes. The childminder encourages children to eat healthily and provides opportunities for them to be physically active. For example, they play in the garden and visit nearby parks to use large, play equipment. The childminder provides a high emphasis on children's safety. Older children learn how to keep themselves safe when on outings. Younger children skilfully negotiate a step leading to a path to safely ride their scooter. Children have varied outdoor learning experiences and opportunities to develop healthy

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Outcomes for children are good

All children, including those who speak English as an additional language, make good progress from their starting points. Children are learning the key skills they need in preparation for moving on to school. They are confident and eagerly join in with activities. Children learn early mathematical skills during their play. For example, they competently complete jigsaws, and use and count building blocks. Younger children are helped to manage their personal needs. They attend various age-appropriate groups to help them to socialise with other children of similar ages.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY482765 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 995505 Type of provision Childminder Day care type Childminder Registers Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register Age range of children 2 - 3 Total number of places 6 Number of children on roll 2

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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 Croxley Green. She operates all year round from 7am to 6pm, 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

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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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