Childminder in Hertfordshire

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 9 January 2017 12 October 2012

p.1

This inspection: Good 2

Effectiveness of the leadership and management Good 2

p.1

This inspection: Good 2

Quality of teaching, learning and assessment Good 2

p.1

This inspection: Good 2

Personal development, behaviour and welfare Good 2

p.1

This provision is good

 The childminder evaluates her setting to promote continuous improvement. She obtains feedback from children and parents about their time at her setting, which helps her to make positive changes.  Children learn about appropriate ways in which to behave because the childminder promotes clear boundaries. Children are happy and settled. They have a good awareness for the routines, promoted consistently by the childminder. When visiting the bathroom, children are quick to demonstrate what comes next by pointing to the sink to indicate that they know to wash their hands.  The childminder has a good partnership with parents, other providers and professionals. She regularly shares information to promote children's learning and development. This is one example of how the childminder enhances children's overall care and well-being.  The childminder places a sharp focus on children's communication and language

p.1

This provision is good

development in every activity or experience they take part in. She is an effective role model. For example, she introduces children to a wide range of new words during play. This supports their growing vocabulary well.

p.1

It is not yet outstanding because:

 The childminder is not regularly and precisely tracking children's progress, in order to sharpen her planning and raise children's achievements to outstanding.  The childminder does not always make the most of ongoing training opportunities to update her existing knowledge and teaching skills.

p.1

What the setting needs to do to improve further

To further improve the quality of the early years provision the provider should:

p.2

What the setting needs to do to improve further

 refine the assessment of children's progress so that it gives a more regular picture of the achievements they make, in order to sharpen planning for their next steps in learning  extend the use of further training opportunities to strengthen existing knowledge and teaching skills.

p.2

Inspection activities

 The inspector observed a planned activity and jointly evaluated this with the childminder.  The inspector discussed with the childminder how she reviews her practice to improve. She spoke with children throughout the inspection.  The inspector looked at a range of documentation, including safeguarding procedures and policies, as well as observation and assessment records.  The inspector took account of the views of parents as provided in documentation.  The inspector observed the quality of teaching during activities indoors and assessed the impact this has on children's learning.

p.2

Effectiveness of the leadership and management is good

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective. The childminder has a good awareness of the signs and symptoms of abuse, and knows which professionals to contact in the event of a concern. She has clear procedures for safeguarding children. The childminder promotes children's safety further by ensuring that mobile phones are not used in her setting. In addition to this, she talks to older children about their safety, with social media in particular. The childminder has a safeguarding policy that she shares with parents. She has a clear collection procedure, which includes the use of passwords. This is one way that she ensures the safety of children in her care. Children learn about their own safety as, for example, the childminder talks to them about road safety while out in the community.

p.3

Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

Children spend their time purposefully. The childminder plans and provides a wide range of activities and experiences that children engage well in. She takes into account children's likes and interests when planning, and she knows what children enjoy. Children's imaginations are promoted well. The childminder joins in with their play as together they enjoy a pretend tea party. The childminder includes learning opportunities throughout as she talks about the round cup and the pink teapot. This supports children's ongoing learning and development. During story time the childminder reads books that she knows children enjoy. The children become highly engaged as they copy and repeat the childminder's spoken words.

p.3

Personal development, behaviour and welfare are good

Children's personal, social and emotional development are promoted well. They demonstrate a close bond and secure attachment with the childminder. For example, when children wake from a sleep they snuggle in comfortably with the childminder. The childminder encourages children to learn about equality and diversity. For example, through planned activities and discussions, children learn about festivals from cultures other than their own. Children's care and well-being is supported well. The childminder provides a well-balanced diet, ensuring that children eat a range of fresh fruit snacks on a daily basis. She provides children with daily opportunities for fresh air and exercise as they visit the local parks, outside groups and woodland walks with the family dog. The childminder is an effective role model. She speaks to children in a calm manner, provides opportunities for them to share their thoughts and ideas, and listens well to them.

p.3

Outcomes for children are good

Children acquire the key skills they need for future learning. They build strong friendships with other children and are independent as they discover the interesting activities available to them. Children's physical development is encouraged well. The childminder teaches children to use a wide range of different-sized resources as they explore malleable dough. Children are successful learners and confident individuals. They are motivated to join in and are constantly busy learning through activities and interaction with the childminder.

p.3

Setting details

Unique reference number EY410454 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 1059869 Type of provision Childminder Day care type Childminder Registers Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register Age range of children 1 - 11 Total number of places 6 Number of children on roll 7

p.4

Name of registered person

Date of previous inspection 12 October 2012

p.4

Telephone number

The childminder was registered in 2010 and lives in St Albans. She operates Monday to Friday from 7.30am to 6pm all year round, except for bank holidays and family holidays.

p.4

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.

p.4

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.

p.4

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 .

p.5

Telephone number

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our website for news, information and updates at www.ofsted.gov.uk/user.

p.5

Telephone number

T: 0300 123 4234 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ofsted

p.5