Childminder in Hertfordshire

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 10 January 2018 Not applicable

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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 demonstrates a secure understanding of how to keep children safe. She continually assesses risks in her home and on outings, reflecting on the needs of each child.  The childminder teaches children how to use technological toys appropriate for their age. For example, younger children are intrigued to see what happens when they press levers on toy garages. Older children enjoy calling the childminder on walkie-talkies, such as to ask her if it is time for lunch.  The childminder works hard to help children develop healthy eating habits. She encourages children to try new colourful foods, such as watermelon. The childminder involves children in preparing food, recognising that this is an incentive to children to widen the range of food they eat.  The childminder builds strong partnerships with other settings children attend. She takes note of topics children are learning about and plans activities to complement their

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This provision is good

learning. This contributes positively to the good progress children make.

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It is not yet outstanding because:

 The information the childminder gains from parents when children start at her setting does not give her an accurate picture of what they can already do, in order to help her to precisely identify children's starting points in learning.

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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

 gather more detailed information on what children can already do on entry to the setting, so that children's starting points in learning can be more precisely identified.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector observed the childminder joining in activities with children and discussed the learning that was taking place with her.  The inspector looked at the areas of the premises used for childminding.  The inspector took account of the written views of parents and the childminder's reflections on her practice.  The inspector looked at children's development and assessment records, evidence of the suitability of household members and assistants and a range of other documents, including the safeguarding policy.

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management is good

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective. The childminder knows how to swiftly meet children's needs in the event of a child protection concern. She reflects on her practice and looks for ways to make effective improvements. The childminder and her assistant attend training to help them to improve their knowledge and skills, such as how to keep children safe. The childminder meets with other childminders for peer support. They share good practice and support each other to implement new initiatives into their policies. The childminder regularly tracks children's progress and identifies any emerging gaps in children's development. She swiftly arranges meetings with parents to discuss any concerns, and signposts them to relevant agencies to access professional support.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

The childminder is skilled at planning activities to engage children of different ages. For example, as children excitedly search for toys hidden in shredded paper, the childminder adapts her teaching skills for each child. For example, she encourages older children to categorise and count the animals they find, while younger children enjoy piling up the paper and exploring how it feels when they lay down on it. The childminder observes children as they play and this helps her to identify their individual interests and next steps in learning. The childminder uses this knowledge to plan further activities that build on children's skills, and this supports children's overall good progress. She plans extra activities for children who will soon be moving on to school. This includes extra mathematical activities and helping children learn how to write their names.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are good

Children build positive relationships with the childminder. They are confident, relaxed and clearly enjoy their time with her. The childminder effectively supports children's good health, such as providing nutritious meals and ensuring children wash their hands before eating. She provides children with regular opportunities for outdoor play. They practise their physical skills as they play in the garden and go on visits to parks and farms. Regular visits to toddler groups enable children to socialise with larger numbers of children and this supports their social development. The childminder builds strong partnerships with parents. They state their children are happy and have familiar routines which helps them to feel secure in the childminder's care.

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Outcomes for children are good

All children are developing effective skills they need to aid their future learning and the eventual move to school. They independently choose from a wide range of resources available to them. They are content in playing alone and also play cooperatively with each other. Children enjoy imaginative play, such as pretending to be doctors. They are keen to learn about how their bodies work, as the childminder talks to them about their pulse and heart rate.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY493596 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 1032850 Type of provision Childminder Day care type Childminder Registers Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register Age range of children 0 - 7 Total number of places 6 Number of children on roll 8

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Name of registered person

Date of previous inspection Not applicable

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Telephone number

The childminder registered in 2015 and lives in South Mimms. She operates all year round from 7.30am to 6.45pm, Monday to Friday, except for bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder occasionally works with an assistant.

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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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