Mardle, Maureen

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 3 August 2017 20 March 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

 Children are very happy and demonstrate that they feel secure in the care of the childminder. They confidently share their thoughts and talk about the interesting activities they enjoy with visitors. The childminder offers parents the option of visiting the children and their families in their own home, helping to support them to swiftly settle.  The experienced and well-qualified childminder is committed to her role. She regularly completes a wide range of training and shares good practice with other childminders. Recent training has further increased her knowledge of specific methods to positively manage children's behaviour.  Children learn about the world as they enjoy regular outings with the childminder. For example, visits to farms, where they feed animals, learn about their natural habitats and how to handle them with respect.  The childminder develops strong relationships with parents. There is an effective two-

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This provision is good

way flow of information to aid children's care and learning. Parents comment that they appreciate how the childminder treats their children as an extension of her own family.

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It is not yet outstanding because:

 On occasion, the childminder reacts too quickly to support children, rather than letting them assess and manage risks themselves.  Children are not always encouraged to identify and find solutions to overcome problems in their play and 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

 make full use of opportunities for children to develop an understanding of how to manage their own safety  provide more time for children to identify, think and solve problems for themselves.

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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 looked at relevant documentation, including evidence of the suitability of persons living in the household.  The inspector held a number of discussions with the childminder and also spoke to children at appropriate times during the inspection.  The inspector took account of the views of parents through written feedback provided and reviewed the childminder's self-evaluation.

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management is good

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective. The childminder has a secure understanding of possible signs that could indicate that children are at risk of harm. She knows how to take swift action to protect children's welfare in the event of a child protection concern. A comprehensive range of policies and procedures is in place which the childminder shares with parents and consistently implements. Accurate self-evaluation ensures that strengths and areas for improvement are effectively identified and acted upon. The childminder carefully reviews children's progress to ensure that any gaps in learning are swiftly addressed. Secure partnerships with staff from other settings that children attend positively support their continuity of learning.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

Children are motivated and enthusiastic learners. The childminder responds well to children's individual interests as she incorporates them into her flexible planning. For example, children express a keen interest in books, she takes them to the local library to enrol on a reading scheme during the school holiday period. Children use their vivid imagination to create a dinosaur house using sand. They develop good control and coordination of their hands as they use small tools to create a smooth surface. The childminder places a strong emphasis on enhancing children's language skills. For instance, she consistently supports them with the correct pronunciation of words as children use complex sentences to recall a recent outing.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are good

Children independently access a varied range of good-quality toys and activities. Successful arrangements are in place to help children develop friendships in preparation for their move on to school when the time comes. For example, the childminder arranges play dates with other children who will also attend the same school. Children follow a good hygiene routine. They know why they need to wash their hands prior to eating and after using the toilet. Children develop strong physical skills. For example, they practise spinning a hula hoop around their waist and use large equipment, such as a zip wire during visits to the local park.

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Outcomes for children are good

Children make good progress in relation to their starting points. For example, they are able to write their own name. Children learn to link letters to sounds as they sing songs that incorporate the different letters of their name. They identify numbers and solve mathematical problems, such as addition and subtraction. For instance, they count the number of fingers on each hand and add them together. They gain the necessary skills needed to help prepare them for their future learning at school.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 158970 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 1089812 Type of provision Childminder Day care type Childminder Registers Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register Age range of children 2 - 8 Total number of places 6 Number of children on roll 2

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Name of registered person

Date of previous inspection 20 March 2015

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Telephone number

The childminder registered in 2001 and lives in Stevenage. She operates from 7.30am until 6pm, Monday to Friday and all year round, except for bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder holds a relevant 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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