Childminder in Hertfordshire

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 20 February 2017 5 April 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 communicates well with parents to support children's care and learning. She effectively tracks children's progress and reviews this with parents. The childminder also provides parents with ideas and resources to help support children's learning at home.  Children develop their language skills. The childminder regularly sings rhymes and reads books to them. She leaves gaps in sentences for children to say key words and uses good questioning skills to encourage them to talk and respond. The childminder listens attentively and praises children's attempts.  The childminder has used information gained from recent training to help her teach children about how to stay safe when they use the internet. She also gives this important safety information to parents.  Children develop caring relationships with the childminder. They seek comfort from her and she is quick to provide reassurance when necessary. Parents say that their children

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This provision is good

are happy in the care of the childminder and are always excited to see her.  The childminder supports the care needs of babies and children. She adjusts plans for the day and outings, taking into account the children attending and their routines.

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It is not yet outstanding because:

 The childminder does not focus the planning of activities well enough to specifically target children's next steps in learning and help them make more rapid progress.  The childminder does not always provide highly challenging activities for younger children to help them to become even more engaged in their 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

 focus planning to provide activities that specifically target children's next steps in learning, in order to help them make more rapid progress  provide highly challenging activities for younger children to help them to become even more engaged in their play.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector checked evidence of the childminder's qualifications and training and the suitability of all household members.  The inspector viewed the areas of the childminder's home that are used for childminding.  The inspector discussed the childminder's improvement plans and children's progress. She looked at a range of 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, children and parents at appropriate times. She took account of comments in written feedback given by parents.

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management is good

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective. The childminder conducts risk assessments of her home and for outings. She takes appropriate action to minimise identified risks. The childminder is fully aware of the procedures to follow if she has any concerns about children in her care. She completes safeguarding training to ensure her knowledge remains current. The childminder is committed to her professional development. She networks with other childminders and continues to attend training opportunities to extend her knowledge further. The childminder evaluates and improves her practice, taking into account the opinions of children and parents. Following recent feedback from parents, she adjusted the evening mealtime to take account of children's changing care needs. The childminder supports children's learning where there is shared care. For example, she extends learning opportunities that children have at school to

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management is good

further their understanding of specific subjects.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

The qualified childminder offers a good variety of toys that interests children and can be easily reached by them at any time. This helps to provide a wide range of opportunities for them to learn through play. The childminder ensures that children's favourite toys are available. Activities are adapted by the childminder to follow the interests of children. For example, an activity based on organising and matching by colour turns into a stepping stone game. Children have fun as they spend time practising and refining their balance and climbing skills. They learn about numbers as they count with the childminder how many stones they have stepped on. Children are also encouraged to use mathematical language, such as bigger and behind, to describe the size and position of each stone.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are good

Children are confident and independent. The childminder encourages all children to voice their opinions and make their own choices. One of the ways she has recently developed this further is by increasing visual prompts to help younger children to express their preferences. The childminder encourages children to be independent. They take off their shoes when they arrive in the morning and feed themselves at lunchtime. She promotes healthy eating and talks to children about the importance of eating a balanced diet. Children benefit from regular fresh air and outdoor play, which helps to develop their physical skills. Children behave well. They show a caring attitude to each other and talk about their friends who attend at other times. The childminder models good behaviour and speaks to children in a calm and friendly manner.

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Outcomes for children are good

Children are making good progress over time. Children are provided with opportunities that help them to develop confidence. They spend time socialising with others during trips to local playgroups. Children demonstrate good physical and literacy skills. They enjoy drawing and learning to cut with scissors. Children are gathering the skills they will need for the next stage in their learning and the move on to school.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY390298 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 1065346 Type of provision Childminder Day care type Childminder Registers Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register Age range of children 0 - 7 Total number of places 6 Number of children on roll 7

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Name of registered person

Date of previous inspection 5 April 2013

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Telephone number

The childminder was registered in 2009 and lives in St Albans. She operates all year round from 8am until 6pm, Monday to Friday, except for bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder holds an appropriate early years qualification at level 3. The childminder provides funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children.

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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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