Childminder in Hertfordshire

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 27 September 2017 4 October 2012

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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 demonstrate that they feel content and secure in the childminder's care. For instance, they frequently give her a cuddle and happily sing to themselves as they play.  Outings within the local community help children to develop a good understanding of how to keep themselves safe. For example, children know that they must wait at the pedestrian crossing until they see the signal change from red to green before it is safe to cross the road with the childminder.  The well-qualified and experienced childminder is committed to her role. She regularly completes training and shares good practice with her assistant during informal supervisions meetings. Recent training has increased their understanding of various ways to effectively introduce children to a wide range of healthy foods.  Children learn about the world as they enjoy regular outings in community with the childminder, some of which they travel to using public transport. For example, they

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This provision is good

closely observe the appearance and size of fish and learn to respect living things during visits to garden centres.

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It is not yet outstanding because:

 The childminder does not always provide excellent opportunities for the most able children to explore and experiment with craft materials during planned art activities.  The childminder does not always gather enough detailed information from parents about their children's prior learning in order to sharply focus on children's precise learning needs.

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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

 enhance opportunities for the most able children to develop their creativity even further  gain more detailed information from parents about what their child knows and can already do.

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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 her assistant and persons living in the household.  The inspector spoke to children and interacted in their play during the inspection.  The inspector took account of the views of parents through written feedback provided and discussed 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 in order to protect children's welfare in the event of a child protection concern. The childminder regularly reflects on the service she provides, seeking the views of parents and children. This ensures that strengths and areas for improvement are effectively acted upon. The childminder carefully reviews children's progress so that any gaps in learning are swiftly addressed. Parents describe the childminder's care and attentive attitude as very reassuring and refreshing. Successful partnerships with other providers that children attend effectively support their learning.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

Children are eager and very motivated to participate in activities. The childminder's genuine praise helps children persevere at challenging activities. Children work out through trial and error how to use a special pen to pick up and move small magnetic balls around the track on a complex puzzle. The childminder places a strong emphasis on enhancing children's language skills. For instance, she introduces them to new words as they play and consistently supports them with the correct pronunciation of words. The childminder effectively promotes children's mathematical skills. For example, she introduces them to simple addition and encourages them to sort the toys they have finished playing with into the correct containers.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are good

The childminder is a positive role model. For instance, she encourages children to use manners and demonstrates the importance of taking turns during activities. Children positively benefit from the many opportunities the childminder provides to help develop their social skills. Secure friendships are in place with each other as they share toys and push each other backwards and forwards on the rocking toy ladybird. Children develop strong physical skills. Regular nature walks and visits to local parks help them to increase their strength and stamina as they climb and balance on large equipment.

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Outcomes for children are good

Children are making good progress in their learning given their starting points and gain the necessary skills needed to help prepare them for their future learning at school. They are confident and independent individuals who manage their own personal needs. Children develop good literacy skills. For instance, some children are able identify and write their own name. They also express a keen interest in books and are developing an understanding of rhyming words. Children demonstrate good listening skills as the childminder reads them their favourite stories and they join in with repeated refrains.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY355193 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 1059755 Type of provision Childminder Day care type Childminder Registers Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register Age range of children 1 - 6 Total number of places 12 Number of children on roll 7

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Name of registered person

Date of previous inspection 4 October 2012

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Telephone number

The childminder registered in 2007 and lives in Royston. She operates from 7am until 6pm Monday to Friday, all year round except for bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder holds an appropriate qualification at level 5 and occasionally works 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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