Childminder in Hertfordshire

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 1 December 2017 18 February 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 works well with parents to ensure that they share information to consistently support children's care, learning and development. Daily communication encourages good opportunities for parents to extend at home what children are taking part in with the childminder.  Children benefit from good opportunities to develop and maintain a healthy lifestyle. The childminder plans daily outdoor activities, which includes visits to local parks, farms and community groups. This provides good opportunities for children to have fresh air and exercise on a daily basis.  Children's personal safety is promoted well and they develop a good awareness of this. For example, the childminder uses gentle reminders, such as talking about the consequences of standing on toys or furniture.  The childminder uses effective strategies, such as open-ended questioning to support children's communication and language development. This encourages children to

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This provision is good

develop their thinking and enables them to think critically.

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It is not yet outstanding because:

 Occasionally, the childminder does not always consider how children of different ages can be fully involved when taking part in planned activities together.  Sometimes, the childminder does not make the most of opportunities to strengthen young babies' exploration and investigative skills, such as when guiding how they use resources during adult-led activities.

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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

 enhance opportunities for children of differing ages to become deeply involved in planned activities  extend opportunities for young babies to independently explore and investigate for themselves.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector held a number of discussions with the childminder. She looked at relevant documentation and evidence of the suitability of persons living in the household.  The inspector observed an adult-led activity and evaluated this with the childminder.  The inspector took account of the views of parents through written feedback provided.  The inspector spoke with children at appropriate times throughout the inspection.  The inspector observed the quality of teaching during activities indoors and in the outdoor cabin, and assessed the impact this has on children's learning.

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management is good

The childminder provides a safe environment. She knows the procedures for reporting child protection concerns and has the required information and knowledge to support her in making referrals if she has concerns about children in her care. The childminder attends regular training to strengthen her own professional development. She evaluates her setting, including the views of parents, to ensure that she can continually improve. Partnerships with parents are strong and parents speak highly of the childminder. Parents and extended families are warmly welcomed into the setting and the childminder encourages parents to be involved in their children's learning. She embraces contributions from parents when considering children's starting points and she encourages them to share their children's achievements from home. Additionally, the childminder shares children's learning with key staff at other settings they attend.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

The childminder completes regular observations and updates assessments of children's progress. She plans for children's next steps in learning, and incorporates their interests into activities that engage them. Children develop awareness of the world around them. They learn about festivals from cultures other than their own through art and craft activities. Children practise their counting skills and awareness of mathematical language during their play. For example, the childminder introduces language, such as big and small, as they create and count the height of their towers, which are made with bricks of different varieties. The childminder provides good opportunities for children to develop their problem-solving skills and independence, during their play.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are good

The childminder promotes children's personal, social and emotional development. She provides a warm and welcoming environment, celebrating children's achievements with praise and encouragement. Additionally, the childminder ensures that children using the outside cabin see displays of their artwork. This helps to promote their sense of belonging. Children's behaviour is managed well. The childminder provides good settling-in procedures, which enable her to work with parents establishing consistent boundaries. This helps children to learn right from wrong. The childminder provides children with appropriate snacks and meals. She provides a picnic-style lunch with a hot meal for tea, ensuring that fresh ingredients are used and children learn about eating a well-balanced diet. The childminder encourages children to wash their hands after play and before eating. This promotes good opportunities for children to learn about good hygiene.

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Outcomes for children are good

All children are making effective progress in their learning, given their starting points and capabilities. Children are motivated to join in with activities and gain the skills they need to be ready for school or the next stage of their learning.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY233786 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 1064338 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 6 Number of children on roll 9

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Name of registered person

Date of previous inspection 18 February 2013

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Telephone number

The childminder registered in 2002. She operates all year round from 7am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, except for bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder holds an appropriate 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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