Childminder in Hertfordshire

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 14 March 2017 20 December 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 uses a range of ways to reflect on her practice and support continuous improvement. For example, she meets with other childminders, uses online resources and reads professional publications to gain ideas and help update her knowledge.  Children have access to a wide range of interesting and challenging activities. The environment is organised well and enables children to make choices in their play. For example, the childminder regularly rotates the range of resources to retain children's interest and ensures favourite toys are readily available and placed at low level.  The childminder promotes children's communication and language development well. For example, she uses clear pronunciation and introduces children to describing words, such as crinkly and furry to help support their developing vocabulary.  Children show that they feel settled and secure in this nurturing environment. They are

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This provision is good

familiar with the daily routines and swiftly settle off to sleep after lunch. Parents recognise the positive impact the childminder's care has had on their children's well- being and levels of confidence.

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It is not yet outstanding because:

 Although the childminder has considered training courses she would like to complete, her programme of professional development is not yet sharply focused on driving the quality of teaching to the highest standard.  Occasionally, the childminder does not gather as much detail as possible from parents about children's learning at home when they start at the provision, to focus her early planning precisely on children's next steps in learning.

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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

 establish a more focused programme of professional development that helps to raise the quality of teaching to a higher level  seek more detailed initial information from new parents about their children's learning, to further support accurate assessments of children's starting points.

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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 took account of the views of parents through the written feedback provided.

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management is good

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective. The childminder has been proactive in sourcing ways to help maintain an up-to-date knowledge of child protection issues. She is aware of the possible signs and symptoms that may indicate a child is at risk of harm and knows the procedures to follow if she has any concerns. The childminder tracks children's ongoing learning, identifying any gaps and providing additional activities to help to close these. She gains information from parents about the older children's activities at school. This helps her to promote continuity in their learning as they move between different settings. The childminder is not currently working with her assistant.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

The childminder uses effective methods of observation and gets to know the children well. She uses timely moments to provide them with guidance to develop new skills. For example, she demonstrates how to use tweezers to grasp coloured pom-poms and move these onto numbered plates. The childminder swiftly responds to the individual needs and capabilities of each child. She recognises when children find a task too difficult and adapts her teaching to simplify the learning intention. Young children show good levels of engagement during activities and are inquisitive as they explore the stimulating resources. They enjoy playing alongside the childminder and use their imagination to use pretend medical and kitchen equipment, checking for her heartbeat and cooking food.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are good

Children behave well and respond to the childminder's clear, concise explanations. For example, they pick up resources they have dropped and tidy away toys when they finish, aware that this helps to keep them in good condition. The childminder is a good role model. Children use their manners unprompted and learn to share and take turns with others. They enjoy being praised for their achievements. The childminder provides children with wholesome, nutritious food and strictly adheres to their dietary preferences. Children learn that healthy snacks give them energy and to limit the amount of food they place in their mouth at once. They have many opportunities to access fresh air and exercise. For example, they play ball on the childminder's patio, walk to school when weather permits and go on regular outings to local farms and soft-play facilities. The childminder also takes children to weekly groups. This helps to broaden their experiences

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are good

further and build on their developing relationships.

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Outcomes for children are good

Children make good progress and are working comfortably within the range of development typical for their age. They are well equipped with the essential skills that help to prepare them for future learning. Children demonstrate good levels of concentration from a young age and are keen to engage in new experiences. Early mathematics and literacy are effectively promoted. Children are beginning to use numbers to count in sequence and develop an interest in books. They enjoy listening to the childminder's expert intonation as she reads their chosen stories.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY464994 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 1066974 Type of provision Childminder Day care type Childminder Registers Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register Age range of children 2 - 5 Total number of places 12 Number of children on roll 5

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Name of registered person

Date of previous inspection 20 December 2013

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Telephone number

The childminder was registered in 2013 and lives in St Albans. She operates all year round from 7.30am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, except for bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder is registered to work with an assistant.

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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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