Childminder in Hertfordshire

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 3 October 2016 23 November 2012

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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 works in close partnership with parents. She regularly shares assessments of children's learning and progress. The childminder provides ideas and information about how parents can be more involved in their children's learning and continue to support their progress at home.  Children are happy and settle quickly in the childminder's care. She provides a gradual settling-in period which helps children to form attachments with her and the children that already attend her setting. Children are confident in talking about their needs with the childminder.  The childminder has a good understanding of the different ways that children learn and develop. Children are provided with a wide range of interesting and challenging activities that support their continued development and progress.  The childminder promotes children's language and communication development. She introduces new vocabulary during their play, such as squashy and squidgy, when they

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This provision is good

are playing with a variety of differently shaped and coloured balls.  The childminder evaluates her practice effectively. She gathers the views of parents and children and incorporates these into her targets for improvement.

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It is not yet outstanding because:

 The childminder does not always share as much information as possible about children's learning and development with other settings that they attend, in order to further support stronger continuity of learning.

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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 partnerships with other settings children attend in order to promote a more effective exchange of information about children's learning and development, to improve the continuity of learning for them.

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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 observed and discussed a planned activity with the childminder.  The inspector spoke with the childminder at appropriate times during the inspection. She looked at relevant documentation, such as the children's learning records and a sample of policies.  The inspector read written feedback from parents and talked to children during the inspection and took account of their views and responses.  The inspector reviewed evidence of the suitability of the childminder and all adults living at the premises.

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management is good

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective. The childminder has a good understanding about the signs and symptoms that would raise a concern about children's safety and welfare. She knows who to contact in her local authority and the procedures to follow when reporting any such concerns. The childminder attends safeguarding training to keep herself updated on new developments. She uses opportunities for professional development to gain new knowledge and develop her skills to improve her practice. The childminder regularly reviews the assessments of children's learning and development. She uses this information to identify any gaps in learning and target areas where further support is needed.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

The childminder gathers information from parents during children's settling-in sessions to identify their starting points. Children are given a variety of choices about what they would like to play with. This supports children to remain focused and engaged in activities. Children develop their imaginative skills as they make up their own stories about the toy animals they play with. The childminder provides them with ideas that they can use to extend their learning and play. Children's mathematical skills are supported and extended by the childminder. For example, she encourages them to count the number of plastic skittles they have left standing during a game of bowling. Children find the answer to questions, such as how many skittles are left when you take two away and how many skittles would you need to add to make ten. They jump up and down, enthusiastically shouting, 'Yes!', when they knock down all the skittles in one go during their turn.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are good

Children behave well and learn to be kind to each other. For example, the childminder explains to them about how their actions can have an impact on others, and supports them to share and take turns. Young children manage their personal needs, such as washing their hands independently after outdoor play and before all meals. They learn about the importance of living a healthy lifestyle. The childminder talks to them about what food is good for them. They look at books about different food and ways in which they can keep healthy. Children learn about respecting each other's differences. One of the ways they do this is through taking part in discussions and creative activities about a range of different festivals.

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Outcomes for children are good

Children are becoming eager learners and are motivated to engage in the challenging activities. They are making good progress from their starting points. Children learn the skills ready for moving on to school. They practise their coordination skills as they play a game of catch using a variety of different sized balls. Children enjoy fresh air and exercise through a range of outdoor activities. For example, they visit the local parks, woods and play with push along tricycles and slides.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY258146 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 1059650 Type of provision Childminder Day care type Childminder Registers Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register Age range of children 3 - 10 Total number of places 6 Number of children on roll 6

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Name of registered person

Date of previous inspection 23 November 2012

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Telephone number

The childminder was registered in 2003 and lives in Abbots Langley. She operates all year round from 7.30am 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

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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