Childminder in Hertfordshire

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 31 October 2017 Not applicable

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This inspection: Outstanding 1

Effectiveness of the leadership and management Outstanding 1

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This inspection: Outstanding 1

Quality of teaching, learning and assessment Outstanding 1

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This inspection: Outstanding 1

Personal development, behaviour and welfare Outstanding 1

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This provision is outstanding

 The childminder sets exceptionally high standards for the quality of care she provides. She works closely with her co-childminder and sensitively mentors the assistant so that she offers the same high levels of care and support.  Children thrive in a highly stimulating environment. They are animated and enthusiastic, eagerly participating in a multitude of activities and choosing from exciting toys and resources. The childminder's excellent assessments and planning precisely identify and support children's next steps in learning.  The childminder supports parents exceptionally well in extending children's learning. For example, she provides practical written information that explains concepts, such as shape and size, and offers ideas for associated activities to try.  The meticulous monitoring of children's progress enables the childminder to respond instantly to any weaker areas and to prepare children for future learning. Her highly

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This provision is outstanding

positive attitude and sensitive support builds children's belief in themselves. They are confident and inquisitive, persevere at tasks and willingly try new experiences.  The childminder makes excellent use of any new knowledge gained from research or training. By making use of elements of an approach to early education, the childminder truly values each child and nurtures their curiosity. She offers them innovative opportunities to explore and understand their environment.  Children have numerous opportunities that support them in developing a meaningful understanding and respect for diversity. They eagerly participate in activities to look at their family members, discussing different family compositions and traditions.

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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

 enrich even more the opportunities that support younger children in understanding the uses of technology.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector observed the quality of teaching during activities indoors and outdoors, and assessed the impact this has on children's learning.  The inspector talked with the childminder's assistant, her co-childminder and minded children at appropriate times throughout the inspection. She reviewed an activity with the childminder.  The inspector looked at evidence of the suitability of household members and the assistant. She discussed the childminder's self-evaluation information and viewed a range of other documentation, including the safeguarding procedures.  The inspector looked at written feedback from parents and took account of their views.

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management is outstanding

Arrangements for safeguarding are effective. The childminder frequently refreshes her knowledge of this area by completing extensive research and training. She has an excellent understanding of the possible threats to children's welfare and knows how to report concerns. The childminder carries out highly practical risk assessments and is fully aware of her duty to inform Ofsted of significant events. She works closely with her co- childminder and offers her assistant highly practical supervision. The childminder meticulously reviews her practice and identifies even further improvements. She has recognised that she can offer young children even more opportunities that support them in using technology. The childminder works exceptionally well with other settings. She shares detailed information with them to ensure children's learning is always promoted to the maximum.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is outstanding

Children demonstrate confidence and enthusiasm when faced with new opportunities. They competently explore and extend their knowledge. For example, children enjoy experiments to examine objects closely and note the effect of putting them in water. They discover which objects absorb water and discuss how quickly this happens to each. The childminder makes excellent use of children's interests as a way of building on their learning, such as their creativity and love of books. For example, children eagerly work together to make a display depicting a character from a favourite book. They note similarities with another story and go on to illustrate this. The childminder offers children numerous opportunities to practise their writing skills. Young children become engrossed as they use their fingers and spoons to make patterns in sand, glitter and lentils. Older children concentrate as they use chalks to record what they are doing outside.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are outstanding

The childminder maintains excellent partnerships with parents and offers them numerous practical ways to communicate. She considers children's emotional well-being at all times and thoughtfully plans daily routines and activities around each child's needs. Sensitive discussions and practical activities help children understand their feelings. They talk with the childminder about who they can go to if anything upsets or worries them, helping to further promote their safety and well-being. Children follow the childminder's excellent example. They are exceptionally polite and show a mature attitude to sharing and resolving conflicts. Children delight in each other's company, demonstrating excellent social skills and a strong emotional resilience. This supports them in quickly adapting to new situations, such as starting school, and in dealing positively with any challenges.

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Outcomes for children are outstanding

Children make exceptional, sustained progress, rapidly developing the skills that support them at school. They quickly become independent learners, showing high levels of curiosity. For example, children wonder how pumpkins grow. They use a range of tools to cut pumpkins and discover what is inside. They examine the seeds and recall their experience of growing vegetables to understand how the pumpkin grew.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY490732 Local authority Central Bedfordshire Inspection number 1022528 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 10 Number of children on roll 12

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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 Caddington. She operates all year round from 7am to 6.30pm, Monday to Friday, except for bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder works with a co-childminder and 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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