Childminder in Hertfordshire

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 27 November 2017 14 April 2015

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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 are happy and settled in the childminder's home. They thrive in the caring attention of the childminder. There are many caring interactions between them. Children are happy to cuddle her when they are tired.  The quality of teaching is strong. Parents comment favourably on the range of activities provided. They report that children learn new things regularly and are keen to share their achievements.  The childminder uses a variety of methods to communicate with parents. She adapts to each family's preferences and builds effective relationships to support children's care and learning needs.  The childminder evaluates her practice to improve the experiences and outcomes for children. For example, she has recently developed the garden to make it more accessible in all weathers. Children benefit from regular fresh air and outdoor play.

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It is not yet outstanding because:

 At times, when children are engaged in the activities, the childminder can be too quick to intervene and does not always give them enough time to lead their own play.  The childminder has not fully refined the already high-quality planning to more sharply focus on children's next steps to help them achieve the best possible progress.

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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

 provide children with more time to explore and lead their own play when they are engaged in activities  refine further the already high-quality planning to more sharply focus on children's next steps to help them achieve the best possible progress.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector viewed areas of the childminder's home that she uses for childminding.  The inspector checked evidence of the childminder's qualifications and training and the suitability of all household members.  The inspector discussed the childminder's improvement plans and safeguarding procedures. She looked at a range of documents, including children's records.  The inspector observed and discussed the quality of teaching during activities indoors and assessed the impact this has on children's learning.  The inspector spoke to the childminder and children when it was appropriate. She took account of comments in written feedback given by a number of parents.

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management is good

The childminder has completed recent training to ensure her child protection knowledge remains up to date. Consequently, she has updated her policies to reflect recent changes in legislation. She has a good understanding of the steps to take to protect children if she has any such concerns. The childminder minimises risks in her home and ensures resources are safe for children. The arrangements for safeguarding are effective. She shares information with a local school when children start attending. She develops effective partnerships to support and continue children's learning. The childminder has acted on feedback from children, taking into account their preferences for evening meals and provides healthy versions of their favourite food. For example, children learn and help to make healthy pizzas.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

The experienced and qualified childminder understands how to help children to develop. The childminder carefully monitors children's progress and regularly shares this information with parents. She shares resources and ideas to help parents to support children's development at home. One such example is providing parents with different ideas to help children with zips on their coats, so they learn to dress themselves. Children are confident learners and are keen to take part in activities. The childminder carefully includes children's interests and preferences when planning activities. Children enjoy exploring water with toy animals in ice. The childminder understands how to extend children's learning. For example, she provides different tools and warm water to help them free the toy animals from the ice. She models how to use tools and praises children's efforts, helping them to develop a good attitude to learning.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are good

The childminder supports children to develop their independence skills. They are provided with many opportunities to voice their opinions and develop their preferences. One such example is that children choose and prepare their snack. The childminder carefully selects resources to help young children to develop these skills, such as helping to pour their drinks and cut fruit. The childminder teaches children about healthy lifestyles, for example, the importance of washing their hands and fruit before eating. Children behave well. They learn how to be polite, helpful and kind.

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Outcomes for children are good

Children make good progress over time from their starting points. They gain the skills and knowledge they will need for school or the next stage of their learning. Younger children use chunky tweezers to pick up pompoms and pipettes to suck in and squeeze out water during their play. Older children stretch elastic bands over pegs and thread with pipe cleaners. These are some of the ways children develop the physical skills they will need for learning to control a pencil.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 149268 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 1089761 Type of provision Childminder Day care type Childminder Registers Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register Age range of children 2 - 5 Total number of places 6 Number of children on roll 5

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Name of registered person

Date of previous inspection 14 April 2015

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Telephone number

The childminder was registered in 1990 and lives in Stevenage. She operates all year round from 8am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, except for bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder holds an appropriate early years 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

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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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