Childminder in Hertfordshire

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 9 January 2018 5 November 2012

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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 and her assistants provide a welcoming and nurturing environment. Children are happy in their care and develop positive relationships with them, helping them to feel secure and valued.  The childminder is dedicated to offering a good-quality provision. She has high expectations of all children. Babies, toddlers and older children make rapid progress and benefit from teaching that meets their individual needs.  The quality of teaching is good and sometimes outstanding. Children delight in taking part in the wide range of exciting and enjoyable activities.  Parents comment extremely positively about the childminder. They say that she is very flexible, professional and clearly loves the children she cares for. They like the cosy, homely environment that she provides.  The childminder has a very good understanding of the importance of working with parents, other agencies and professionals to promote children's development and

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It is not yet outstanding because:

 The childminder's monitoring and evaluation of the impact of her assistants' practice is not sharply focused enough to raise the quality of teaching to the highest level.  The childminder does not identify children's starting points at the earliest opportunity. She does not gather sufficient information from parents about children's learning and achievements at home when they first start at the setting.

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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

 build on the supervision arrangements for assistants to monitor and evaluate their practice so they are more sharply focused on raising the quality of teaching to an outstanding level  gather more detailed information from parents about children's development at home so that their starting points can be identified at the earliest opportunity.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector had a tour of the premises and viewed the areas used by the children.  The inspector discussed with the childminder her understanding of the safeguarding and welfare requirements.  The inspector observed the quality of teaching during activities indoors and outdoors and assessed the impact this has on children's learning.  The inspector looked at a range of documentation including policies, evidence of the suitability of household members and assistants, observation and assessment records, the safeguarding procedures and the childminder's self-evaluation.  The inspector looked at information shared by parents and took account of their views.

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management is good

Safeguarding is effective. The childminder and her assistants have a very good understanding of their role in safeguarding children and the procedures to follow should they have any concerns about a child's welfare. They keep up to date with changes in legislation and have all completed recent training. The childminder ensures that her assistants understand the policies and procedures to promote children's safety and welfare. The childminder's home is well organised. She completes risk assessments and takes appropriate steps to reduce all hazards in the home, outside and on outings. She regularly reviews the effectiveness of her practice to help children to make progress.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

The childminder and her assistants work very well together. They use observations and assessments to monitor children's development. This information is used to plan exciting activities which build on what children know and can do. Each child has a detailed record of the progress they are making in their learning. The childminder and her assistants support children's communication and language skills well. They play alongside children, listening to their ideas, and asking them questions to help promote their thinking skills. Children enjoy their small-group times, when they sing songs about the weather and the days of the week. They are encouraged to count and use mathematical language as they play. For example, they hunt for different shapes in the sand.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are good

Children thoroughly enjoy their time with the childminder and her assistants. They make very good use of the dedicated playroom to provide an inviting and stimulating learning environment. The childminder and her assistants are good role models and children's behaviour is very good. Children demonstrate good manners, play well together and show care and kindness towards one another. They enjoy healthy meals, rest when needed and have daily opportunities for physical play. Children learn to take care of their own personal hygiene. The childminder successfully teaches children to be aware of risks and their own personal safety. For example, they talk about road safety when they go on outings.

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Outcomes for children are good

Children make good progress in all areas of their learning. They concentrate well on tasks and are confident communicators. Older children enjoy contributing to discussions and confidently talk to visitors. Staff continually praise and encourage the children, helping them to feel valued and respected. Children learn to be part of a group, understand rules and show respect for the feelings and choices of others. They are beginning to build good friendships with each other. Toddlers watch and learn from the older children and are keen to have a go and join in. Children develop the skills and attitudes that prepare them for the next stage in their learning and their move on to school.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY431660 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 1059928 Type of provision Childminder Day care type Childminder Registers Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register Age range of children 0 - 9 Total number of places 18 Number of children on roll 15

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Name of registered person

Date of previous inspection 5 November 2012

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Telephone number

The childminder registered in 2011 and lives in Watford, Hertfordshire. She operates all year round from 7.30am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, except bank holidays and family holidays. She works with two assistants and provides funded early years education for two-, 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

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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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