Childminder in Hertfordshire

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 2 May 2017 20 April 2015

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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 make good use of frequent training and professional development opportunities to further her knowledge and gain new skills.  Children develop close relationships with the childminder and other children that attend. They are happy and settled in the childminder's care. She provides praise and encouragement that supports children's confidence and self-esteem.  The childminder fully supports children's mathematical skills. For example, children enjoy searching for numbers in the sand and count the number of dots to accurately identify each number. They enthusiastically match two numbers together.  Children enjoy a range of activities that support their physical development. They ride push-along bicycles and play games in the local parks and woods. They learn about their local community as they visit nearby shops.

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It is not yet outstanding because:

 The childminder does not consistently provide information and ideas to help support parents to guide their children's learning as successfully as possible at home.  The childminder does not recognise some opportunities that arise to teach children to be able to identify and assess possible risks independently.

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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 parents in guiding their children's learning at home  extend opportunities for children to understand how to assess and manage small risks to develop their understanding of how to keep themselves safe.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector observed the quality of teaching during activities indoors and outdoors, 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 took account of the views of parents through reading written feedback provided.

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management is good

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective. The childminder has a clear understanding about the signs and symptoms of abuse. She knows who to contact in the local authority and the procedures to follow with any such concerns. The childminder effectively evaluates her practice. She gathers the views of parents and children, and uses these when setting herself targets for improvement. The childminder reviews and evaluates the assessments of children's learning. She identifies any gaps in their progress and provides support to enable them to make continued good progress. The childminder works well with other settings that children attend and shares any relevant information to support their continuity of care.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

The childminder has a good understanding about how children develop and learn through the different ages and stages of development. She provides activities that challenge children in their learning and supports them in their next steps in learning. Children develop their early writing skills, for example, as they write their name in paint on their pictures. They eagerly practise their coordination skills, using a range of different sized paint brushes while creating pictures. The childminder introduces new words into children's vocabulary. For example, as they pretend to cook dinner, she shows them toy fruit and vegetables and names them, such as 'aubergine' and 'kumquat'.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are good

Children's independence skills are fully supported by the childminder. For example, they are encouraged to tidy away toys when they have finished playing and know to wash their hands before eating. The childminder promotes kind behaviour and, during games, explains to children about how to play nicely with one another. During sessions at the local playgroups, the childminder uses these opportunities to promote the skills of sharing and taking turns with others. Children learn about food that is good for them, for instance, through craft activities and sharing books about food and exercise. They take part in activities to learn about different festivals, which supports their understanding about the similarities and differences between each other.

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Outcomes for children are good

Children are eager to learn and happily explore the wide range of activities available. They develop their imaginative skills, such as when they pretend to go holiday in a toy caravan and have adventures with play figures. Children make good progress from their starting points. They quickly gain the skills ready for their move on to nursery and school.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY343525 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 1092901 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 20 April 2015

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Telephone number

The childminder registered in 2006 and lives in Hemel Hempstead. She operates her provision all year round from 7.30am to 6pm, 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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