Kerrigan, Helen

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 17 January 2017 15 October 2015

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This inspection: Good 2

Previous inspection: Requires Improvement

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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 improved her practice. She has made sure the daily record of children's attendance is completed. She reviews her policies and procedures to ensure any changes in legislation are taken into consideration.  The childminder successfully works in partnership with other early years settings that children attend. She discusses children's progress with their key person, shares her assessments and children's next steps in learning.  The childminder has established and maintained very effective working relationships with parents. She keeps them well informed about children's care and progress.  The childminder offers children activities that appeal to them. She involves them in planning and choosing what they want to do. She encourages children in the decision- making processes, helping them to develop their thinking skills.  The childminder is an effective teacher. She successfully supports children to develop

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This provision is good

their personal and social skills. She enables children to express their interest in particular activities and helps them to sustain this so they can build on their capabilities.

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It is not yet outstanding because:

 The childminder does not always offer children the very best opportunities to develop all aspects of their literacy skills, in particular their interest in letters and sounds.

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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

 explore further ways to support children's learning in literacy, in particular their strong interest in letters and sounds.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector observed the quality of teaching during activities indoors and assessed the impact this has on children's learning.  The inspector completed a joint evaluation of an activity with the childminder.  The inspector held a number of discussions with the childminder. She looked at relevant documentation and evidence of the suitability of persons living in the household.  The inspector spoke to children during the inspection.  The inspector spoke to parents during the inspection and read testimonials, taking account of the views expressed.

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management is good

The qualified childminder is organised and methodical. She has attended training to improve her knowledge, skills and practice. The arrangements for safeguarding are effective. The childminder uses her training and experience from group care on child protection to help underpin her childminding practice. The childminder knows how to keep children safe and the action to take if she has concerns about their welfare. The childminder effectively evaluates the resources and activities she offers children. She continually reflects on how she can improve the range of experiences available and successfully involves children in this. The childminder has developed her use of the information she gets from other settings that children attend to further inform her planning and assessment.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

The childminder offers children good opportunities to continue their learning through play. Her plans not only take account of what children want to do, but she also includes what children are learning in pre-school. This enables the childminder to ensure her teaching complements that of other key persons. Children thoroughly enjoy cutting patterns into folded paper to make snowflakes. They talk as they work, describing their experience of the recent snowfall. Children demonstrate high level speaking and thinking skills. They explain how telescopes work as they make them from paper and tape. Children share their knowledge of the world around them as they describe what they can see. The childminder promotes children's speaking and listening skills very effectively. She ensures they know that she values what they have to say. She listens attentively and uses very effective questioning techniques to help children share their thoughts and ideas.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are good

Children behave well. The childminder is a very good role model and children quickly develop a helpful and caring approach to others. She provides children with a comfortable and secure environment where they feel relaxed and at home. The childminder provides worthwhile outdoor learning experiences, making good use of the opportunities in the local area for exploring the natural world. Children demonstrate a responsible attitude to safety. They learn to use toys and equipment safely and with care. For example, when using scissors, they carefully follow the childminder's guidance on how to hold and operate them efficiently and safely. Children learn about eating well and being active outdoors. They recall the many dog walks in the local woods and the dogs and dog owner friends they have made, under the close supervision of the childminder.

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Outcomes for children are good

Children develop rapidly and show a good level of attainment from their individual starting points. They acquire new skills and confidence in their own ability to be independent. They have a firm grasp of number and shape, and have a growing interest in writing. Children have a positive attitude to learning and what they can achieve. Children are well prepared for the next stage in their learning, such as school.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 495312 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 1058160 Type of provision Childminder Day care type Childminder Registers Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register Age range of children 3 - 3 Total number of places 6 Number of children on roll 1

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Name of registered person

Date of previous inspection 15 October 2015

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Telephone number

The childminder was registered in 2001 and lives in Welwyn Garden City. She operates all year round from 9am to 6pm on 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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