Childminder in Hertfordshire

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 5 October 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 regularly reflects on the systems she uses to assess and track children's development. She has recently made effective changes to help her to have an even better understanding of children's progress. The childminder's records, and her strong knowledge of each child, clearly show the good progress they are all making.  Children hold effective conversations with the childminder and show a good understanding of words. Children are very independent in their play and learning. They engage in their chosen activities for sustained periods of time and concentrate well.  The childminder provides a welcoming and nurturing environment. Children show that they feel secure and are happy. They enjoy familiar activities and routines, which enhance their sense of security.  Parents speak highly of the childminder. They state she helps the children to settle quickly and how much they enjoy attending. Parents feel they are kept very well

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This provision is good

informed of their children's development through discussions with the childminder and daily diaries.

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It is not yet outstanding because:

 The childminder does not provide more challenging opportunities for children of pre- school age consistently to help them understand how to use technological resources and equipment.  The childminder does not make the best use of children's interests in their own and others' families, to help them to understand the differences in people, families and communities.

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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

 provide more opportunities for pre-school age children to learn how to operate and use technological toys and equipment  enhance children's understanding of the world, enabling them to understand the similarities and differences in people, families and communities.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector observed the childminder joining in activities with children and discussed the learning that was taking place with her.  The inspector saw the areas of the premises used for childminding.  The inspector looked at children's development and assessment records. She checked evidence of the suitability of household members and a range of other documents, including the safeguarding policy.  The inspector spoke to and interacted with children at appropriate times during the inspection.  The inspector took into account the written views of parents and the childminder's reflections of her practice.

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management is good

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective. The childminder knows how to swiftly meet children's needs in the event of a child protection concern. She ensures contact details for relevant safeguarding bodies are easily accessible. The childminder undertakes training to help her develop her knowledge and skills to higher levels. She regularly meets with other childminders for peer support and to share ideas. The childminder reflects on her practice and makes effective changes. For example, she is considering how she can improve her environment, such as by adding more natural resources for children to explore. The childminder is alert to identifying and minimising any risks to children. She is especially vigilant in ensuring effective safety measures are put in place in her tiered garden.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

The childminder holds discussions with parents to find out about children's development at home. She uses this knowledge and her observations of children's play to plan for their next steps in learning and check that they are developing well. The childminder shares information about children's development with staff at other settings they attend, which helps to promote continuity in their learning. She gives children time to explore and follows their lead as they take part in activities. For example, when children were involved in a sticking activity they showed an interest in the glue. The childminder encouraged them to make marks with it and feel it with their fingers. Children looked with interest at the marks they made and enjoyed the sensation of glue on their hands. The childminder promotes children's mathematical development as they play. For example, she talks about the shape and size of leaves and helps children to learn how to count conkers.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are good

The childminder provides children with regular opportunities for outdoor play. They practise their physical skills, for example, as they use large equipment in her well- resourced garden. Regular visits to local toddler groups enable children to socialise with larger numbers of children and this supports their social development. The childminder helps children to behave well and be polite. She gives them consistent and ongoing praise, which helps to build their confidence and emotional well-being. The childminder is aware of children's differing eating habits and needs. She recognises when children are hungry and helps them to make healthy choices from the well-balanced range of food the parents provide.

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Outcomes for children are good

Children develop a good range of skills which helps to prepare them for the next stages of learning and for starting school. From an early age, children hold pencils correctly as they draw lines and shapes. They talk to the childminder about their pictures. The childminder models writing to them as she writes on their pictures what they tell her they have drawn.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY489365 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 1015885 Type of provision Childminder Day care type Childminder Registers Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register Age range of children 1 - 4 Total number of places 6 Number of children on roll 8

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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 Abbots Langley. She operates all year round from 7am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, except bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder holds an appropriate early years 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

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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