Childminder in Hertfordshire

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 12 September 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

 Parents are complimentary about the care and teaching their children receive. They value the warm and friendly atmosphere in the childminder's home.  The childminder and her assistants are positive role models for children. They are attentive and caring, and they set clear, appropriate behavioural expectations. Children are settled and happy in the childminder's care, and their behaviour is good.  The childminder provides children with a wide range of good-quality, age-appropriate resources in a welcoming environment. She has a good understanding of how children learn and supports them well to make good progress from their starting points.  The childminder uses self-evaluation well to be reflective in all areas of her provision. She uses the views of her assistants and parents, as well as children's interests to continually improve and enhance opportunities for children's progress and development.

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This provision is good

 The childminder makes good use of local facilities to extend the range of learning experiences for children. For example, children regularly make use of the grassed area opposite the childminder's house to collect leaves, feathers, sticks and conkers and chase each other and the childminder with glee. Children's social skills and their awareness of the world around them are promoted well.

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It is not yet outstanding because:

 The childminder does not use her assessments of children's learning effectively, to inform her planning and fully help children achieve what they need to learn next.  Occasionally, the routine of the day interrupts children's natural play and they are not given sufficient time to complete their chosen tasks and play 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

 make full use of assessments to precisely target children's next steps in learning, to help them make the best possible progress  improve daily routines to ensure children's play is not interrupted and that they have sufficient time to complete their chosen tasks and play independently.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector observed the quality of teaching and its impact on children's learning.  The inspector checked documents, including the childminder and her assistants' background, suitability checks and training certificates.  The inspector held discussions with the childminder about children's individual learning and development.  The inspector carried out a joint observation with the childminder regarding a planned activity.  The inspector looked at a range of the childminder's policies and procedures, including those relating to safeguarding.

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management is good

Safeguarding is effective. The childminder and her assistants have completed safeguarding training. They understand their responsibilities to protect children's welfare and how to safeguard them from possible harm. The dedicated childminder is committed to her own professional development and that of her assistants. For example, recent training on managing children's behaviour has helped the assistants to be more confident. They have also put into place effective activities to support children's understanding of what is expected of them. At the end of the week, children can take home a special bear as a reward for their continued positive behaviour. Good links with the local primary schools help to ensure smooth and effective transitions as children leave the childminder and start school. The childminder maintains a safe and secure environment and ensures that children are supervised well.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

The childminder and her assistants teach children to use a range of tools to help them express themselves creatively. For example, older children are helped to hold scissors correctly to cut paper and to choose from a range of materials. Children count confidently and understand that the quantity changes, for example, if they add one more or take one away. All children develop good concentration and listening skills. They listen intently as the childminder reads them stories, during which she asks questions and models language to encourage them to develop their understanding of letters and the sounds they represent.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are good

The childminder and her assistants are knowledgeable about children's individual care needs. They respond to children immediately, helping them to feel safe and secure in their care. The childminder supports children to learn about safety. For example, they talk about road safety as they cross the road. Children learn to take care of their environment and to respect the resources. For example, they tidy up and put their toys and resources away. The childminder supports children to learn about other cultures and diversity. For instance, she talks to them about different types of food and provides them with cultural clothes and equipment to explore in their role play. All children are encouraged to manage their own personal needs. For instance, they know to wash their hands after collecting leaves and acorns and before eating.

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Outcomes for children are good

Children learn a range of skills to help them to be ready to start pre-school or school. They are eager to learn and show a keen interest in the written word and stories. Older children develop good early literacy skills. For example, they recognise their names in print and sound out the first letters of their name. Younger children confidently make marks and begin to recognise circles and triangles as they draw. Children are confident and settled in the homely environment the childminder provides.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY488506 Local authority Barnet Inspection number 1011615 Type of provision Childminder Day care type Childminder Registers Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register Age range of children 1 - 3 Total number of places 18 Number of children on roll 10

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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. She is situated in Finchley in the London Borough of Barnet. The childminder operates from 8am until 6pm on Monday to Friday, for most of the year. She holds an early years qualification at level 3 and works with two assistants, both of whom also hold an early years qualification at level 3. The childminder receives funding to offer free early education for children aged two, three and four years.

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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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