Childminder in Hertfordshire

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 31 January 2017 Not applicable

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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 follows a programme of professional development which includes regular research to keep up to date with legislative changes. She is proactive in developing her own knowledge and regularly attends training courses.  The childminder promotes children's understanding of how suitable hygiene practices contribute towards their good health. They follow effective handwashing routines and eat a well-balanced diet which includes fresh fruit at snack time.  The childminder supports children's mathematical development. She plans a range of interesting activities to encourage their awareness of shapes, colours and numbers. For example, they enjoy counting and building with bricks of different size and colour.  Children's safety is promoted well. The childminder ensures that they are cared for in a safe and secure environment. She promotes opportunities for children to develop a good understanding of their personal safety. Children are supported to learn about road

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This provision is good

safety, during their walks to and from school.

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It is not yet outstanding because:

 The childminder does not always work in partnership with all the other settings that children attend to consistently maximise their individual learning.  Occasionally, the childminder does not give enough consideration to adapting activities so that children of different ages can be fully involved when taking part in planned activities together.

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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

 strengthen partnerships with other early years settings that children attend to develop more effective ways to share information about their learning and development  enhance the opportunities for children of differing ages to become deeply involved in planned activities.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector spoke to children during the inspection. She took account of the views of parents through written feedback provided.  The inspector observed the quality of teaching during activities indoors and assessed the impact this has on children's learning.  The inspector evaluated an adult-led activity with the childminder.  The inspector held a number of discussions with the childminder. She looked at relevant documentation and viewed evidence of the suitability of persons living in the household. She also looked at children's development records.

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management is good

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective. The childminder attends regular child protection training to ensure that she is fully aware of the signs and symptoms of abuse. In addition to this, she has attended training to support her in identifying and working with vulnerable families. The childminder has a range of policies and procedures in place to safeguard children. She shares this with parents to ensure that they are fully aware of her procedures in the event of a complaint or concern. The childminder has strong relationships with parents. She keeps them informed through daily diaries or verbal discussions. The childminder seeks the views of parents and she supports them to extend children's learning at home by sharing what children are taking part in. Written parental feedback and references are positive. Parents speak highly of the childminder and the care she provides for their children.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

The childminder provides effective opportunities for children to develop good communication and language skills. She models language successfully. The childminder supports children's language development without making them feel uncomfortable. For example, she copies the words children pronounce incorrectly and repeats these words correctly and clearly. This is one teaching method that the childminder uses to support children's emerging vocabulary. Children enjoy explorative activities. For example, young children watch attentively as ice cubes melt in a bowl of water. They touch the ice and retract quickly saying it feels cold on their fingers. Older children learn about the different seasons through the year. They are skilled in selecting which picture fits with which season and enjoy lots of discussion around the various scenes they choose from.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are good

Children behave well and show a genuine kindness towards other minded children. They give spontaneous hugs and play alongside each other cooperatively. Children's personal, social and emotional development are well supported. The childminder praises children often. This supports their self-confidence. They visit a range of outside groups, including music and soft-play sessions. This promotes good opportunities for them to develop effective social skills. Children's physical development is promoted well. The childminder provides opportunities for them to enjoy fresh air and exercise on a daily basis. They explore a wide range of activities outside, including a mud kitchen and an area where they can be creative with water and funnels. Children's small-muscle skills are supported well as they use a range of small resources.

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Outcomes for children are good

Children make good progress given their starting points and capabilities. All children are acquiring the key skills they need for future learning. Children enjoy being creative as they make use of the role play resources. They use a range of tools in the play kitchen as they imaginatively create their own games and ideas. Children use books independently. They enjoy visits to the local library with the childminder, where they make choices about the books they want to take away with them.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY481026 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 989347 Type of provision Childminder Day care type Childminder Registers Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register Age range of children 1 - 9 Total number of places 6 Number of children on roll 20

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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 North Watford. She operates all year round from 7am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, except for bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder holds an appropriate childcare 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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