Childminder in Hertfordshire

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 25 October 2017 Not applicable

p.1

This inspection: Good 2

Effectiveness of the leadership and management Good 2

p.1

This inspection: Good 2

Quality of teaching, learning and assessment Good 2

p.1

This inspection: Good 2

Personal development, behaviour and welfare Good 2

p.1

This provision is good

 Parents are overwhelmingly positive about the quality of education and care their children receive. The childminder is highly regarded by all parents, as outlined in their written comments.  The childminder has high expectations of herself and children. From the moment they start, children settle well, have great fun and make good progress in their learning.  The home-from-home environment is well thought out to enable children of all ages, including babies, to learn and play safely and happily. Children's behaviour is very good.  The setting is well organised. The childminder has a secure understanding of how children learn. She monitors their progress astutely and incorporates each child's individualised next steps and targets into her day-to-day activities.  Children are well motivated, independent and fully engaged in their play. They make choices for themselves about what they want to play with. The childminder is a positive

p.1

This provision is good

role model for good learning and behaviour. She promotes children's self-esteem well.

p.1

It is not yet outstanding because:

 Although the childminder evaluates her setting well, she does not precisely identify her professional development needs in order to raise the quality of teaching to an outstanding level.  The childminder has not fully explored the different opportunities for children to learn about the world beyond their own community.

p.1

What the setting needs to do to improve further

To further improve the quality of the early years provision the provider should:

p.2

What the setting needs to do to improve further

 strengthen self-evaluation to identify further professional development opportunities in order to raise the quality of teaching to an outstanding level  provide children with more opportunities to learn about different people and communities beyond their own.

p.2

Inspection activities

 The inspector looked at all parts of the childminder's home that are used by children.  The inspector held discussions with the childminder at appropriate times to assess her understanding of the early years foundation stage.  The inspector sampled the childminder's documentation relating to procedures for teaching, learning and assessment, and children's safety and well-being.  The inspector observed the childminder's interactions with children. He observed a range of child-initiated and adult-led activities and assessed the impact of these on children's learning and progress.  The inspector sampled the written feedback from parents, to establish their views on the quality of provision. He met with one parent at the start of the inspection.

p.2

Effectiveness of the leadership and management is good

Safeguarding is effective. The childminder has a secure understanding of the most recent child protection legislation. She knows who to contact at the local authority if she has concerns about a child's welfare. The childminder ensures that her assistant understands the policies and procedures and regularly discusses teaching strategies and children's progress with him. The childminder's work with other settings is particularly strong. For example, she provides detailed reports to nurseries when children leave her setting and continually liaises with school staff so that her work complements what children are learning elsewhere. Strong partnerships with parents and others enable the childminder to quickly address any gaps in children's learning.

p.3

Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

The childminder is good at following children's interests and building learning opportunities around these. For example, she develops children's language and communication skills effectively as they treat teddy bears who are unwell in the pretend hospital. The childminder uses every opportunity to extend children's mathematical skills. For example, children have great fun counting the differently coloured balls in the garden. They enjoy the challenge of finding more and less pasta as they explore the Halloween-themed objects in a play tray. Children's physical skills are well promoted. For example, children explore a range of methods to fill and empty containers, using tweezers, paper cups and scoops. The childminder supports children's reading skills well, appropriate to their age and stage of development. She thoughtfully shares her resources with parents so that they can continue children's learning at home.

p.3

Personal development, behaviour and welfare are good

Children settle quickly. They develop a strong bond with the childminder so that they feel happy and safe to play and explore. The childminder supports children's well-being effectively. Children respond very well to different routines, such as snack time and tidy- up time. The childminder ensures that all children develop an understanding of turn taking, sharing and why good manners are important. Parents are particularly impressed with the dedicated outdoor areas for different age groups, providing regular opportunities for outdoor learning and exercise. Children develop strength in their bodies. For instance, they climb the steps of the slide, and push the toy lawnmower different distances.

p.3

Outcomes for children are good

Strong teaching over time enables children to make good progress in each area of learning. Young children take their first steps as a result of the childminder's skilful intervention. Older children learn to write their names, identify numbers and communicate effectively. The childminder provides children with a broad curriculum that challenges them to achieve their personal targets. As a result of the childminder's skilful teaching, children develop strong literacy, numeracy and social skills in readiness for their future learning. Parents are very pleased with the progress their children make.

p.3

Setting details

Unique reference number EY491840 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 1022543 Type of provision Childminder Day care type Childminder Registers Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register Age range of children 1 - 7 Total number of places 12 Number of children on roll 12

p.4

Name of registered person

Date of previous inspection Not applicable

p.4

Telephone number

The childminder registered in 2015 and lives in Hitchin. She operates all year round from 8am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, except for bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder occasionally works with an assistant.

p.4

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.

p.4

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.

p.4

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 .

p.5

Telephone number

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our website for news, information and updates at www.ofsted.gov.uk/user.

p.5

Telephone number

T: 0300 123 4234 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ofsted

p.5