Childminder, Out-of school day care in Hertfordshire

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 12 December 2017 9 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 follow their interests and show they are motivated to learn as they confidently make choices from the well-organised environment. They show affection for the childminder who playfully uses humour during activities, resulting in frequent laughter.  The childminder helps children to experience a smooth move into her home. For example, she provides a gradual increase in hours when they first start, tailored to meet their individual needs. This supports children's well-being and quickly helps them to feel secure and settled in her care, seeking comfort when needed.  Children develop good social skills and form special relationships with other children. The childminder provides many opportunities to support this further. For example, she regularly takes children to the library, local playgroups and often meets up with parents and children on days they do not attend.  Parents highly recommend the childminder and appreciate how well informed they are

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This provision is good

kept about the activities children take part in. They say the childminder is kind and caring, and that children always leave her house happy.

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It is not yet outstanding because:

 The childminder does not precisely review her programme of professional development to enhance her teaching and help extend children's progress even further.  The childminder does not work as well as she could with other settings that children attend, to better promote consistency in their learning and development.

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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

 seek further ways to enhance professional development opportunities that focus on developing teaching and help extend children's progress even further  strengthen partnership working with other settings that children attend, to support a more consistent approach to meeting children's needs.

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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 relevant documentation and evidence of the suitability of persons living in the household.  The inspector took account of the views of parents through discussions on the day and the written feedback provided.

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management is good

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective. The childminder maintains an up-to-date knowledge of child protection issues and the symptoms that may indicate a child who is at risk of harm. She knows the procedures to follow if she has any concerns about children's welfare. The childminder completes regular risk assessments of her home to ensure the areas used for childminding remain safe and secure. She uses a range of ways to reflect on her practice and support continuous improvement. For example, the childminder attends childminding conferences, network meetings and regularly meets up with other childminders to share ideas and best practice.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

The childminder plans suitably challenging activities to help children develop new skills. She completes regular assessments of children to monitor their development and ensure additional support is gained as necessary. The childminder demonstrates good-quality teaching and adapts her style as needed. For example, she swiftly recognises the activities children show more of an interest in, and provides additional resources to help build on their developing curiosity. The childminder introduces children to new words, such as when they engage in craft activities and uses a range of questioning techniques to help support their communication and language skills. Children show interest in the way musical instruments sound and imitate everyday actions in their pretend play.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are good

Children behave well. They learn to take turns and listen carefully to the views of others. The childminder facilitates regular and appropriate discussions between the children. They often compare their cultural traditions and talk about issues, such as recycling plastic. This is one of the ways she actively promotes diversity, helping children to develop an understanding of each other's differences and the wider world. The childminder ensures she provides children with a healthy and balanced diet each day. For example, she plans meals to complement the food children receive at school. In addition, she takes children out in all weathers to gain daily access to fresh air and physical exercise. For instance, on the day of inspection, children went on a long and wintry walk.

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Outcomes for children are good

Children make good progress from their starting points and are working comfortably within the range of development typical for their age. They follow instruction well, understand complex sentences and are confident decision makers. Children enjoy using numbers to count. For instance, as they play shops with the childminder they use coins to give change and count in sequence as they climb steps. Young children feed themselves competently with a spoon and use their smaller physical skills as they paint and glue materials onto Christmas decorations. Children acquire the key skills that help to prepare them well for their future learning and their readiness for school.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY470050 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 1102825 Type of provision Childminder Day care type Childminder Registers Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register Age range of children 2 - 10 Total number of places 6 Number of children on roll 17

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Telephone number

The childminder registered in 2013 and lives in St Albans. She operates during term time, Monday to Friday from 7.30am to 6.30pm, except for bank holidays.

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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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