Childminder in Hertfordshire

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 20 November 2017 2 September 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 Good 2

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This provision is good

 The childminder provides a wide range of stimulating activities that meet children's individual interests. She adapts her home to incorporate inviting environments, such as a cosy area with colour changing lights where children can relax, look at books and complete puzzles.  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 knowledge of providing an even wider range of activities to promote children's creative skills.  Children demonstrate that they feel confident and happy in the childminder's care. They welcome visitors to join in with their play. Children sit close to the childminder as she reads them their favourite stories and they frequently give her a cuddle.  Children enjoy a wealth of interesting outings in the local community, this helps enhance their understanding of the world. They learn about life cycles during visits to

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This provision is good

zoos and discover how canal locks are operated during riverside walks.

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It is not yet outstanding because:

 Although the childminder gathers detailed information from parents about their child's learning on entry, she does not make the best possible use of this to precisely inform planning from the outset.  The childminder does not consistently provide children with opportunities to think of their own ideas and ways of solving problems, in order to develop their thinking skills.

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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

 make the best possible use of the initial information sought from parents to precisely inform early planning  enhance opportunities for children to identify and solve problems for themselves.

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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 interacted and spoke to children during the inspection.  The inspector held a number of discussions with the childminder. She looked at documentation and evidence of the suitability of the childminder.  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 has a secure understanding of possible signs that could indicate that children are at risk of harm. She knows how to take swift action, in order 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 regard her as an extension of their own family.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

The childminder places a strong emphasis on promoting children's language skills. For instance, she speaks clearly and consistently describes her own and children's actions. Children develop the small muscles in their hands in preparation for writing. For example, they transfer dried rice from one container to another and use large tweezers to pick up objects. The childminder's sense of fun helps children to be highly motivated and inquisitive individuals who are keen to learn. Children eagerly join in with songs that help them to learn the sequence of the days of the week. They use magnifying glasses to look closely at grains of rice and discover how the rice changes in size as they move the magnifying glasses further away from their eyes. Children concentrate for long periods of time given their young age. They build tall towers using cotton reels, spreading a mixture of shaving foam and glue between each cotton reel, to help them to stick together.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are good

The childminder is a positive role model. Children develop good relationships with each other. They happily share toys and spontaneously use manners when speaking. Children demonstrate a real sense of responsibility. For instance, they eagerly help the childminder to pick up the spilt rice from the floor. Children's artwork is displayed within the childminder's home helping them to feel a sense of belonging. 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 identify numbers and make predictions. Children line up toy cars on a slope and guess which one will travel the furthest. They develop good independence, children remove their own shoes and push their sleeves up prior to washing their own hands. They recognise their own name and are beginning to link letters to the sounds that they represent. They gain the skills needed to help prepare them for school.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY321056 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 1064834 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 6 Number of children on roll 3

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Name of registered person

Date of previous inspection 2 September 2013

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Telephone number

The childminder registered in 2006 and lives in Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire. She operates all year round from 7.30am to 6pm, Monday to Thursday, except for bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder holds a 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

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

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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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