Childminder in Hertfordshire

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 11 October 2017 6 March 2013

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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 Outstanding 1

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This provision is good

 Children of all ages demonstrate that they feel very happy and secure in this welcoming and highly stimulating environment. The strong skills of the childminder and her assistant ensure that children form very warm and caring bonds with them. Children display superb friendly relationships with each other from an early stage. They excitedly invite each other to contribute to their artwork.  The experienced and well-qualified childminder is dedicated to her role. She regularly completes training and shares good practice with her assistant during informal supervisions meetings. Recent training in forest school practice has enabled them to introduce an even wider range of experiences to promote children's learning of the natural environment.  Children learn about the world as they enjoy regular outings in community with the childminder. For example, they learn about animal habitats during regular visits to a

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This provision is good

farm. They are fascinated watching carp fish jump above the water as they feed the ducks at a local lake. Children are learning and developing their skills well.

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It is not yet outstanding because:

 The childminder has not yet fully explored opportunities for all parents to share information about their children's achievements at home.  The childminder does not always provide young children with a wide range of opportunities to consistently explore using all of their senses.

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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

 extend the good communication with all parents to seek further information about their children's achievements at home  build even further on the range of opportunities for children to explore using their senses.

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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 and the assistant. She looked at relevant documentation and evidence of the suitability of the assistant and persons living in the household.  The inspector interacted with and spoke to children 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 and her assistant have a secure understanding of possible signs that could indicate that children are at risk of harm. They know how to take swift action 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 she acts effectively to address any areas for improvement. The childminder carefully reviews children's progress to swiftly address any gaps in their learning. Parents appreciate how the childminder and her assistant play a pivotal role in developing their children's excellent confidence.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

Children persevere at challenging activities. They work out through trial and error how to use a special pen to pick up and move small magnetic balls around a number puzzle. Young children develop a good understanding of how their actions have an impact. For instance, they turn the wheel on a platform of cogs and notice how this makes the cogs rotate. The childminder skilfully introduces young children to mathematical concepts. For example, she helps them to order toy animals by size. Older children closely examine a selection of leaves collected from their nature walk and identify which trees they have fallen from. Children who speak English as an additional language make good progress. The childminder talks to them in their home language and researches any cultural traditions, which she incorporates into her flexible planning.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are outstanding

Children behave exceptionally well. The childminder and the assistant are outstanding role models; they place the utmost importance on teaching even the youngest children to use manners and to be independent. Children enjoy a varied range of high-quality homemade food that meets children's individual dietary requirements. The childminder consults with a nutritionist to ensure meals are exceptionally well balanced. Children learn excellent physical skills and assess risks for themselves. For instance, they learn how to safely cross the road with a pedestrian crossing person and work together to carry large fallen tree branches to build a den.

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Outcomes for children are good

All children are highly motivated and eager to learn. Some children demonstrate good language skills that are above typical levels for their ages. For example, young children ask questions and rapidly learn new words. Older children use complex sentences that include words, such as 'thermometer' and 'stethoscope'. 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 EY369815 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 1065124 Type of provision Childminder Day care type Childminder Registers Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register Age range of children 0 - 10 Total number of places 12 Number of children on roll 7

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Name of registered person

Date of previous inspection 6 March 2013

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Telephone number

The childminder registered in 2008 and lives in Welwyn Garden City. She operates all year round from 7am until 7pm, Monday to Friday, except for bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder provides funded early education for two-, three- and four-year- old children. She works with an assistant and holds an appropriate 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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