Childminder in Hertfordshire

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 15 December 2016 2 July 2013

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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 sets extremely high expectations and is passionate about her work with children and families. She makes excellent use of a local childminding network, in order to reflect on and extend her knowledge and skills. She is always eager to learn and develop, which leads to continuous and sustained improvements to her practice.  The childminder focuses exceptionally well on helping children acquire communication and language skills, including children who speak English as an additional language. Children are immersed in language throughout daily routines and play. They listen intently to stories and eagerly engage in conversations, using verbal and non-verbal communication according to their stage of development.  The quality of teaching is excellent and children thrive in this setting. They benefit greatly from the superb range of stimulating activities and outings to support the development of a wealth of skills for learning. Children acquire high levels of

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This provision is outstanding

confidence, independence and motivation, which prepares them extremely well for the next stage in their learning.  Children rapidly develop strong bonds with the childminder. Her warm, caring personality and extremely flexible approach helps children to settle easily and feel secure. She is very sensitive to children's individual needs and circumstances, and works tirelessly with parents to ensure the best possible outcomes are achieved.  Parents' comments about the childminder's practice are overwhelmingly positive. They confirm that their children rapidly make gains in their learning and confidence, and attribute their excellent progress to the experiences and attention offered by the childminder.

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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

 continue to extend the already very effective teaching strategies and range of activities to enhance children's acquisition of literacy skills, in readiness for school.

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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 discussed a planned activity with the childminder.  The inspector held discussions with the childminder and her assistant. She looked at relevant documentation, including children's records, training certificates and evidence of the suitability of the childminder and other adults in the household.  The inspector read and took account of the written feedback from parents.

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management is outstanding

The childminder runs a highly efficient and professional service where children and families come first. She ensures that her assistant is suitably qualified, vetted and well informed about her duties and the setting's policies and procedures. The arrangements for safeguarding are effective. The childminder has a deep understanding of child protection issues. She regularly completes training to refresh her knowledge of current safeguarding guidance. She acts incisively and keeps comprehensive and accurate records to support her practice. Exemplary partnerships underpin the childminder's excellent practice. Since the last inspection, she has strengthened the arrangements for sharing information and working collaboratively with parents and other early years settings. New systems enable the childminder to gain comprehensive knowledge of each child and their family, which she uses expertly to promote continuity in learning and development.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is outstanding

The childminder plans very thoughtfully to maximise children's learning and development. Babies are encouraged to stand and develop their muscle strength as they explore the constantly changing resources set out on an activity table. They show fascination as they work out how to operate musical toys and interactive books. Children thrive in outdoor learning environments. The childminder uses ideas from training sessions to enable children to investigate natural materials, such as mud, leaves and sticks, to make potions. Children acquire excellent first-hand knowledge of animals and wildlife during regular visits to farms and the zoo. The childminder has established a highly effective system to assess children's achievements and track their progress. She makes frequent, meaningful observations of children to identify their achievements and set challenging next steps in learning.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are outstanding

Children rapidly gain a strong sense of belonging to the childminder's family. The childminder provides excellent opportunities for children to socialise with a wider group of children of all ages. This contributes significantly to their exceptional relationships and social skills. The childminder is an exemplary role model for children's behaviour. Children become confident risk-takers and develop high self-esteem as they explore challenging and stimulating outdoor environments. They confidently climb and balance on logs or outdoor play equipment and learn how to handle sticks safely. The childminder is meticulous in her management of children's individual health, dietary needs and personal care needs. She works closely with parents at all times to ensure children's safety and well-being.

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Outcomes for children are outstanding

Children make rapid progress from their starting points. There is a vast programme of activities and experiences to help children acquire skills that prepare them exceptionally well for school. Children practise many tasks for small-muscle control to support their early writing and understanding of letters and sounds. The childminder recognises that she can extend ways to develop even more engaging activities to promote early literacy skills.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY394064 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 1065377 Type of provision Childminder Day care type Childminder Registers Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register Age range of children 0 - 3 Total number of places 12 Number of children on roll 4

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Telephone number

The childminder was registered in 2009 and lives in Northchurch, Berkhamsted. She operates all year round from 7.30am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, except bank holidays and family holidays. On occasions, the childminder works with an assistant who 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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