Childminder in Hertfordshire

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 30 August 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 accurately evaluates and reviews her practice and sets goals to build ongoing improvement.  The childminder offers a welcoming and inviting environment. Children settle well and form caring and good relationships with her.  Overall, children are motivated by well-planned activities that stimulate their imaginations. They are helped to communicate and express their thoughts and test out their ideas.  Children achieve well. The childminder accurately assesses the progress children make and plans well for the next steps in their learning. She prepares children well for their future learning, including for starting school.  Children are well behaved. The childminder sets a good example through her gentle and respectful manner towards the children.  Relationships with parents are good. The childminder works closely with them to help children make progress at home and in the provision.

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It is not yet outstanding because:

 The childminder does not always make the most of opportunities to extend children's understanding of the differences and similarities between themselves and others to develop their awareness of wider world.  At times, the childminder does not support children as well as possible to practise counting during activities in 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

 increase opportunities for children to build on their interest and understanding of the differences and similarities between themselves and others to develop their awareness of diversity further  make the most of all opportunities to promote children's numeracy skills in play activities and routines.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector observed the childminder's interactions with the children.  The inspector conducted a tour of the areas that the childminder uses for childminding purposes.  The inspector sampled a range of documentation, including policies and procedures, and children's records.  The inspector took the views of parents from letters sent in to the childminder.

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management is good

Safeguarding is effective. The childminder knows the signs that would cause concern about a child's welfare. She has a clear understanding of the procedures to follow to help maintain children's safety. The childminder works well to evaluate her practice and makes effective changes that benefit the children. For example, she researches good practice and plans interesting activities for the children. This has helped her to introduce new activities that support children's creativity and sensory experiences well. She continues her professional development and accesses relevant training courses that help her to provide even better learning experiences for children. The childminder develops strong relationships with other professionals and from other settings that children attend and creates a shared approach to learning.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

The childminder knows each child well. She regularly observes their play and plans enjoyable and challenging activities to encourage their good progress. For example, young children enjoy making shapes and models using rolling pins, stampers and coloured wooden sticks with the home-made dough. The childminder spends time playing with children and, overall, extends their learning well. The childminder supports children's communication and language skills effectively. For example, she sings songs to children and teaches them new words. She teaches children good early literacy skills, for instance, by reading stories in lively tones. Children have a good understanding of how to use simple technology. They press buttons on electronic toys to hear sounds. The childminder supports children's personal and social development well. She takes children to local playgroups where they learn to mix with other children, share and take turns.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are good

Children have a warm, secure relationship with the childminder. She helps children to settle well by finding out about their home care routines so that she can incorporate these in her practice. The childminder helps children to become independent. She teaches them how to feed themselves and how to dress themselves. Children behave in safe ways. For example, they know the dangers of climbing on furniture, and the childminder carries out regular fire drills so children know how to leave the premises safely. The childminder provides good ways for children to practise their physical skills and gain fresh air, for instance, by visiting the local park and playgroups each day.

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Outcomes for children are good

Children make good progress. Children have high levels of self-esteem. They are confident and motivated to learn. For example, they enjoy using props, such as wooden spoon characters and pictures, to tell stories, which helps them develop strong early literacy skills. They show good imagination and enjoy taking on different roles in their play. All children quickly gain the skills needed for the next stage in their learning.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY489875 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 1015765 Type of provision Childminder Day care type Childminder Registers Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register Age range of children 1 - 10 Total number of places 5 Number of children on roll 9

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Name of registered person

Date of previous inspection Not applicable

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Telephone number

The childminder registered in 2015 and lives in Bricket Wood, St Albans. She operates all year round from 7.30am to 5.30pm, Monday to Friday, except for bank holidays and some family holidays.

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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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