Childminder in Hertfordshire

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 13 November 2017 19 June 2014

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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 very comfortable and secure in the childminder's care. They sing to themselves as they play and often give her a cuddle. Children welcome the childminder to join in their play. They thoroughly enjoy gently placing stickers on the childminder's face during a craft activity.  Children concentrate for long periods of time given their young age. For instance, they persevere peeling off small adhesive stickers from a sheet. This also helps to develop the small muscles in their hands in preparation for writing.  The childminder is committed to developing her knowledge and skills. She regularly completes training and shares good practice with other childminders. Recent training has increased her understanding of how to effectively support children to build secure attachments during unsettling times in their lives.  Children enjoy a wealth of interesting outings in the local community to help enhance

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This provision is good

their understanding of the world. Children visit farms and observe lambs taking their first steps. They identify the changes in seasons during nature walks and discover how the leaves on the trees change colour and fall to the ground in autumn.

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It is not yet outstanding because:

 The childminder does not always encourage children to independently manage their personal needs so that they are fully prepared for the next stage in their development.  Although the childminder gathers ongoing information from parents about their child's achievements at home, she does not make the best possible use of this to precisely inform her flexible planning.

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What the setting needs to do to improve further

To meet the requirements of the Childcare Register the provider must:

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Due Date

 ensure a written record of complaints is kept for a period of three years, this must include an outcome of the investigation and the action taken in response to the complaint. 14/11/2017

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Due Date

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

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Due Date

 encourage children to independently manage their personal needs  make the best possible use of the ongoing information sought from parents to precisely inform planning.

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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 documentation and evidence of the suitability of persons living in the household.  The inspector spoke to children during the inspection.  The inspector took account of the views of parents through written feedback provided and discussed with the childminder how she reflects on the service she offers.

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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 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 are delighted with the service that the childminder provides. They particularly appreciate how they and their children are treated as an extension of the childminder's family.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

The childminder skilfully divides her time equally between children. This helps them to remain highly motivated and keen to learn. Children are inquisitive. They rotate a sensory toy and explore how the coloured gel slowly moves through the small holes. Children work out, through trial and error that they need to position a large building block at the base of the tower they are building to enable it to balance. The childminder places a strong emphasis on promoting children's language skills. For example, she consistently talks to them and introduces them to new words linked to their actions. For instance, as children experiment spinning a toy saucepan lid on different floor surfaces, she repeats the word 'spin'. Children confidently talk about creating a picture for their parents and what they have enjoyed playing with.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are good

The childminder uses effective methods to help children to share toys. She is a positive role model and children use good manners. The childminder's sensitive reminders help children to understand the importance of a good hygiene routine. For instance, she reminds children to cover their mouth when they cough. Children learn how to keep themselves safe. For example, during outings in the community they help the childminder to decide when it is safe to cross the road with her at a pedestrian crossing. Regular visits to local parks and soft-play centres help children to develop good physical skills. They learn how to climb and balance on a varied range of apparatus and equipment.

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Outcomes for children are good

All children are making good progress in their learning given their starting points. They help to tidy away the toys they have finished playing with. Children identify shapes and compare which are big and small. They count and match the correct numeral to small groups of objects. They gain the skills needed to help prepare them for school.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY446020 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 1102408 Type of provision Childminder Day care type Childminder Registers Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register Age range of children 0 - 6 Total number of places 6 Number of children on roll 3

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Name of registered person

Date of previous inspection 19 June 2014

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Telephone number

The childminder registered in 2012 and lives in Hatfield, Hertfordshire. She operates from 8.30am until 5pm, Monday to Friday, during term time only.

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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

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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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