Childminder in Hertfordshire

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 8 January 2018 23 August 2017

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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 experienced childminder has successfully addressed the actions and recommendations raised at the previous inspection. For example, she has increased the security of her home to prevent unauthorised persons from entering.  Children build strong bonds with the childminder. They express their affection for her as they blow her a kiss, and laugh together as they play.  Children enjoy many interesting outings in the local community with the childminder to help enhance their understanding of the world. They learn about different types of wildlife, such as insects and squirrels, during regular nature walks in the woods. Children closely examine insects using magnifying glasses and observe how they move.  The childminder is committed to developing her knowledge and skills. She regularly completes training, uses the internet to research for relevant information and shares good practice with other childminders. Recent training has increased her knowledge of

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This provision is good

providing an even wider range of activities to enhance children's physical skills.  The childminder provides stimulating activities that meet children's individual interests and help them to make good progress. She skilfully responds to spontaneous events, such as children's interest in a large lorry that they notice outside.

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It is not yet outstanding because:

 Occasionally, the childminder does not provide children with increased opportunities to solve mathematical problems.  The childminder does not obtain detailed enough information about children's learning on entry from their parents, to fully support her planning from the outset.

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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

 strengthen opportunities for children to solve simple mathematical problems  extend on the level of initial information obtained from parents, to plan more precisely for children's continued progress from the outset.

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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 spoke to children during the inspection.  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 children are at risk of harm. She knows how to take swift action to protect children's welfare in the event of a concern. The childminder thoroughly reflects on the service she provides, seeking the views of parents and children. She has made focused changes to her practice that benefit the children. The childminder carefully reviews children's progress to address any gaps in learning swiftly. Secure partnerships with other providers that children attend help the childminder to meet children's needs consistently. Parents compliment the childminder on the level of care and professionalism that she offers to their children.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

Children are motivated and demonstrate a positive approach to learning. They confidently explore their environment and select their choice of toys and activities from the varied range available. Children explore which toy cars roll smoothly down the spiral ramp on the garage. They work out that if they gently shake the top of the ramp the cars travel quickly on their own, without needing a push. The childminder places a strong emphasis on supporting children's early language skills. For instance, she introduces them to the meaning of new words, such as 'reverse', and sensitively promotes the correct pronunciation of the words children try to say. The childminder provides children with many opportunities to develop the small muscles in their hands in readiness for writing. For instance, they carefully thread laces through holes in picture cards and use small tools to make their own play dough.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are good

The childminder is a positive role model. Children spontaneously use manners when speaking and demonstrate a real sense of responsibility. For instance, the happily help the childminder to tidy away the toys they have finished playing with. Weekly visits to organised groups with the childminder enable children to meet with other children to develop their social skills. Children regularly visit a working farm. They pick different fruits from bushes and plants to taste with the childminder. This helps them to learn where food comes from and that it is good to eat. Daily access to the childminder's garden and visits to local parks help children to develop good physical skills.

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Outcomes for children are good

All children make good progress in their learning given their starting points. They develop the skills to be independent. For instance, they put their shoes on the correct feet, manage their own personal needs and persevere to fasten the zip on their coat. Children recognise their own names. They are beginning to link letters to the sounds that they represent. Children gain the skills needed to help prepare them for school.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 123909 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 1112976 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 4

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Name of registered person

Date of previous inspection 23 August 2017

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Telephone number

The childminder registered in 1996 and lives in Hertford. She operates all year round from 7.30am until 6pm, Monday to Friday, except for bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder receives funding for three- and four-year-old children.

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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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