Childminder in Hertfordshire

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 4 November 2016 12 December 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 well-qualified childminder has a good understanding about how children learn and develop. She provides a wide range of activities that challenges children. This supports them to make continuous good progress.  The childminder promotes children's speech and language development through her positive interactions. She introduces new words during their play to extend their growing vocabulary. The childminder talks to children about what they are doing and repeats words back to them to strengthen their understanding of pronunciation.  Children have daily opportunities for exercise and fresh air. They develop their physical skills as they enjoy playing games at the local park and ride on push-along tricycles.  The childminder works in close partnership with other settings that children attend. She frequently shares information about children's progress and achievements. This supports children's continuity of care and learning.

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It is not yet outstanding because:

 The childminder has not developed highly effective strategies to gather the views of parents to reflect on her practice, so she can further increase the quality of the service she offers.  The childminder does not always make the best use of professional development opportunities to focus on delivering the highest quality of teaching to children.

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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

 strengthen the self-evaluation process to incorporate the views of all parents and clearly identify and target areas for improvement to increase the quality of the service even further  expand continuous professional development opportunities to focus even more sharply on delivering the highest quality of teaching.

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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 children's learning records and a sample of policies.  The inspector reviewed written feedback from parents and talked to children during the inspection, taking account of their views and responses.  The inspector looked at 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 the safety and welfare of children in her care. She knows the procedures to follow and who to contact with any such concerns. The childminder evaluates the assessments of children's progress and development on a regular basis. She identifies any gaps in learning and sets targets for improvement. The childminder has an effective partnership with parents. She regularly shares assessments of children's learning with them. The childminder provides information and ideas that parents can use to further extend their children's learning at home.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

The childminder supports children's manipulative skills. For example, children match pieces of a puzzle to the shapes on the puzzle board. They persevere making sure all the pieces are in the correct place before they move on. The childminder regularly observes children as they play and uses this information to plan their next steps in learning. She knows children well and provides activities that capture their interest and are appropriate for their individual stage of development. Children eagerly explore different textures and use a variety of media to create pictures and practise their early writing skills. The childminder supports children's developing mathematical skills. For example, they competently count the number of items they put in their basket when they pretend to go shopping.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are good

Children are happy and settle into the childminder's care quickly. They are confident and eagerly make their own choices about what they would like to play with. The childminder supports children to learn about living a healthy lifestyle. She talks to them about why it is important to wash their hands before eating. The childminder and children discuss what food is good for them. Children behave well. They are polite and use good manners. The childminder encourages children to develop their independence skills. For example, they tidy away toys when they have finished playing. Children learn about the differences and similarities between each other through creative activities, stories and discussion.

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Outcomes for children are good

Children are eager learners and enjoy participating in a range of stimulating activities. They make good progress from their starting points. This information is gathered from parents during children's settling-in sessions. Young children develop their imaginative skills as they pretend to cook dinner and go shopping. They carefully choose which items to pretend to buy and put them in their shopping bag. Children enthusiastically join in and do the actions to familiar songs and rhymes. They learn the skills needed to be ready for their next stage of learning and for their move on to school.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY343987 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 1059740 Type of provision Childminder Day care type Childminder Registers Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register Age range of children 1 - 7 Total number of places 6 Number of children on roll 5

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Name of registered person

Date of previous inspection 12 December 2012

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Telephone number

The childminder was registered in 2007 and lives in Watford. She operates all year round from 7am to 7pm, Monday to Friday, except for bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder holds an appropriate 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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