Childminder in Hertfordshire

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 12 January 2017 10 July 2013

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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 has met the recommendations set at her last inspection. For example, she now implements self-evaluation that takes into account the views of parents, in order to identify and set realistic targets and drive future improvement. Children are now able to explore the environment, move with confidence between the rooms and make choices in their play.  Children make good progress. The childminder keeps in-depth records of children's achievements and has high expectations for them to learn and develop further.  The childminder is very experienced. She understands how children learn and keeps her knowledge up to date so that her good teaching skills benefit children. For instance, she attends local groups for discussions and exchanges information with other childminders about good practice.  The childminder is nurturing and responsive to children's individual needs. She offers plenty of praise and reassuring cuddles when needed. This helps to support children's

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It is not yet outstanding because:

 The childminder does not make best use of opportunities to help children explore and learn about technology, in order to further support their understanding of how they can make things work.  Sometimes, the childminder is too quick to help children. She does not always give them enough time to find their own solutions to problems they encounter as they play.

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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

 provide even more opportunities for children to use technology in their play, in order to further support their understanding of how things work  provide children with more time to think and work out their own solutions and support their problem-solving skills even more effectively.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector saw evidence of the suitability of all persons living on the premises, including policies and records of children's development. She discussed the childminder's self-evaluation.  The inspector spoke with children and the childminder, and took parents' views into account through reading their written feedback.  The inspector viewed all areas of the home used for childminding.  The inspector and the childminder observed how children play and discussed how the activities meet children's interests.

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management is good

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective. The childminder has a good knowledge of the procedures to follow to keep children safe. She knows the possible signs to be aware of that indicate children may be at risk of harm or extreme views. The childminder is vigilant and regularly risk assesses the environment. This helps minimise any potential hazards both within the home and when on outings. Parents are very positive about the care that she provides. The childminder shares information about children's progress with key staff from the other settings they attend. This enables her to work consistently on children's next steps in learning and promote continuity in their care.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

The childminder provides a good range of opportunities for children to be creative. For example, she plans activities, such as printing, sticking and painting. The childminder supports children's communication and language skills effectively. She gets down to children's level and uses clear speech, repeating back what they say. The childminder reads stories to them and asks them questions about what they can see in the pictures. Children maintain good periods of focus during self-chosen play. The childminder provides activities to meet the needs of individual children well and to develop their play. They have access to a wide range of stimulating resources to fuel their imagination and current interests. For example, children choose and dress up in their favourite superhero costumes. During planned activities, children show good hand-to-eye coordination as they roll and manipulate soft dough into shapes. The childminder introduces them to describing

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

words, such as largest, smallest, hard and soft.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are good

The childminder provides a variety of experiences for children to learn about wider communities. She takes children to visit various play sessions weekly in the local area. Trips to farms, libraries and museums help children to develop their understanding of the world. Children understand the importance of following healthy lifestyles and wash their hands before eating nutritious foods. They enjoy taking regular exercise at the park and learn to balance on wooden beams. The childminder promotes a positive atmosphere and children behave well. She encourages sharing and taking turns. Children benefit from effective settling-in arrangements and demonstrate that they feel safe and secure in the childminder's care. The childminder is responsive to children's changing needs and works closely with parents to help tailor the ongoing support that she provides. She strictly adheres to the detailed information she gains about children's dietary and medical needs.

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Outcomes for children are good

Children are making good progress in all areas of development. They develop a positive attitude to learning and ask the childminder for help when needed. Children show confidence as they engage in new experiences and are proud of their achievements. Early literacy and mathematical development are promoted well. Children love to draw and paint, and skilfully use numbers to count objects. They gain the essential skills needed for future learning and their eventual move on to school.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY458316 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 1043269 Type of provision Childminder Day care type Childminder Registers Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register Age range of children 3 - 9 Total number of places 6 Number of children on roll 6

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Name of registered person

Date of previous inspection 10 July 2013

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Telephone number

The childminder was registered in 2013 and lives in Cheshunt, Hertfordshire. She operates all year round from 7.30am until 6.30pm, 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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