Childminder in Hertfordshire

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 15 December 2016 Not applicable

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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 quality of teaching is exceptionally strong. The childminder expertly plans an extensive and highly challenging range of activities for children, using books as the basis for themes. This is one of the ways in which she seamlessly extends children's learning.  Children thrive in the childminder's care. Children are motivated and show high levels of concentration. They eagerly join in with experiences that support them in acquiring the skills they need for school. Parents comment that the childminder helps children to grow in confidence. The childminder encourages and praises children, helping them to develop a positive attitude to learning new skills.  The childminder effectively evaluates her practice and has ambitious ideas that she wants to develop. The childminder includes parents' opinions and views in shaping her practice. Following feedback from parents, the childminder now uses some educational

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This provision is outstanding

websites to help children gain the skills they will need for the move to school.  The childminder effectively reviews the practice of her experienced and well-qualified assistant. She is committed to continuing their professional development and training. She identifies any areas for improvement and coaches the assistant. For example, the childminder develops the assistant's knowledge of guidelines before the assistant conducts rigorous assessments of children's learning.  Children are very eager to explore the welcoming environment that the childminder has thoughtfully developed to promote their independence.  Parents comment that the childminder helps children to grow in confidence. The childminder encourages and praises children, helping them to develop a positive attitude to learning new skills.

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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 existing strong partnerships with parents and other settings to support children to sustain the best possible progress.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector checked evidence of the childminder's and her assistant's qualifications and training, and the suitability of all household members.  The inspector viewed areas of the childminder's home that are used for childminding.  The inspector discussed the childminder's improvement plans and looked at children's assessment records and a range of other documents, including the safeguarding procedure.  The inspector observed and discussed the quality of teaching during activities indoors and outdoors and assessed the impact this has on children's learning.  The inspector spoke to the childminder and children when it was appropriate. She took account of comments in written feedback given by a number of parents.

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management is outstanding

The childminder is extremely vigilant regarding children's safety and welfare. She ensures that both she and her assistant have a strong working knowledge of safeguarding. They know when and how to refer any concerns regarding children's welfare to the relevant agencies. For example, the assistant confidently explains her whistle-blowing responsibilities. The arrangements for safeguarding are effective. The childminder has developed many highly effective working relationships with parents and other settings that children attend. The childminder encourages strong two-way communication with parents and uses many methods to share information with them. For example, she gathers detailed information from parents when children start attending. The childminder regularly reviews children's progress with parents. Parents are very aware of their children's next steps in learning and how to support them. However, there is scope to extend this strong

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management is outstanding

practice to support children to sustain excellent progress.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is outstanding

The childminder has an extensive understanding of how to support children's learning and development. She thoughtfully plans across all areas of learning for children. The childminder carefully tracks children's progress and provides targeted support in areas where children need further help. The childminder has high expectations for children. Children learn to take turns by unwrapping a present each day to add to a nativity scene. The childminder introduces the activity, recapping who each character is. The childminder reads the nativity story, allowing children time to ask questions. She develops their thinking skills by encouraging them to think about what the answer may be themselves. The childminder extends their learning with a craft activity and naturally introduces mathematical concepts throughout. The childminder follows children's interests and allows them the freedom to make their own choices.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are outstanding

The childminder teaches children about healthy lifestyles as they eat their nutritious snacks. She supports children with dietary requirements with an excellent attention to detail. Children's personal, social and emotional development are very strongly promoted. The childminder and her assistant consistently model positive behaviour. Children behave very well. They are happy to share and show caring behaviour towards their friends. For example, children show each other their pictures and praise each other's efforts. The childminder teaches children how to keep themselves safe, for example, by discussing internet safety. She allows supervised access to trusted and safe internet environments.

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Outcomes for children are outstanding

Children make clear and substantial progress over time. Children are given time to explore and develop their thinking skills. For example, during freely chosen activities children play with toy animals and a deep tray with glittery ice and slush. They concentrate for long periods as they explore the qualities of the different materials.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY480675 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 986407 Type of provision Childminder Day care type Childminder Registers Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register Age range of children 2 - 8 Total number of places 12 Number of children on roll 13

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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 Watford. She operates Monday to Thursday, from 7.30am until 5.30pm, all year round, except for bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder works with an assistant who holds qualified teacher status. Funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children is provided.

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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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