Childminder in Hertfordshire

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 7 March 2018 11 November 2014

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This inspection: Outstanding 1

Effectiveness of the leadership and management Outstanding 1

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This inspection: Outstanding 1

Quality of teaching, learning and assessment Outstanding 1

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This inspection: Outstanding 1

Personal development, behaviour and welfare Outstanding 1

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This provision is outstanding

 The childminder sets exceptionally high standards for her childcare provision and is uncompromising in her ambition to make continuous improvements.  Children make exceptional progress. They are highly motivated and participate enthusiastically in exciting activities. The childminder's excellent assessments and planning precisely identify and support children's next steps in learning.  The childminder supports parents exceptionally well in extending children's learning. For example, she offers specific ideas and resources to aid the development of individual children.  The childminder meticulously monitors children's progress. She uses her excellent knowledge to offer children highly pertinent support to close any gaps in their learning. For example, she offers children additional opportunities to recognise written numbers.  The childminder makes excellent use of any new knowledge gained from training. For

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This provision is outstanding

example, she has an extended knowledge of the risks to children's welfare associated with extreme ideas and practices. She shares this formally with other childminders and works tirelessly to promote children's welfare at all times.  Children mirror the childminder's calm, caring approach and show great respect and concern for one another. They demonstrate a mature awareness of feelings and understand how to manage their behaviour.

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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 even further the opportunities for younger children to develop their understanding of the relevance of healthy eating.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector observed the quality of teaching during activities indoors and outdoors and assessed the impact this has on children's learning.  The inspector talked with children and the childminder at appropriate times throughout the inspection. She reviewed an activity with the childminder.  The inspector looked at evidence of the suitability of household members. She discussed the childminder's self-evaluation information and viewed a range of other documentation, including the safeguarding procedures.  The inspector viewed written feedback from parents and took account of their views.

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management is outstanding

The childminder makes excellent use of her qualification to inform her work, meticulously evaluating this to identify even further improvements. She has recognised that she can offer younger children even more opportunities that support them in understanding the relevance of healthy eating. Arrangements for safeguarding are effective. The childminder has a comprehensive knowledge of this subject and carefully considers children's welfare throughout every area of her work. She has excellent procedures to work with other childcare settings. These include the sharing of detailed assessment information to ensure that children's learning is always promoted to the maximum.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is outstanding

Children enjoy numerous opportunities that support them in learning to explore and experiment. For example, they examine the qualities of ice as they discuss why water freezes and look at how it melts and what accelerates this process. They learn new concepts and vocabulary as they note that toy animals are static in the ice but move about when this melts. Children respond to challenges with highly positive, confident attitudes. For example, they delight in opening hinged doors on a wooden puzzle. They then transfer their knowledge and build on this as they work out how to manipulate locks, handles and catches on a more complex puzzle. The childminder supports children in developing their early writing skills. For example, children concentrate as they experiment with a variety of writing implements, such as paints, rollers and rainbow-effect pencils. They are enthralled as they work out how to make a copy of their paintings by pressing an additional piece of

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are outstanding

The childminder builds excellent partnerships with parents and has a comprehensive understanding of children's needs. She promotes children's confidence and self-esteem through valuing their contributions and helping them to see how they are learning. For example, children frequently review their assessment records, eagerly noting their progress. The childminder encourages children to persevere and they show determination when faced with challenges. Children demonstrate excellent social skills and highly positive attitudes. These support them in adapting to new situations, such as settling in at school. Activities and discussions support children in gaining an excellent understanding of safety. Older children learn to use the internet safely and understand who they can talk to if they are upset by anything. Children have a wealth of opportunities to develop physical skills. For example, they visit the woods where they climb and balance on logs.

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Outcomes for children are outstanding

Children make exceptional progress and rapidly develop essential skills in readiness for school. They competently organise their play and work together. For example, young children set out toy construction vehicles. They competently use their problem-solving skills to work out which characters fit in each vehicle. They extend their communication skills and creativity as they eagerly explain their ideas and discuss imaginary scenarios.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY252519 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 1104046 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 9

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Name of registered person

Date of previous inspection 11 November 2014

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Telephone number

The childminder registered in 2003 and lives in Hitchin. She operates all year round from 8am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, except for bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder holds an appropriate qualification at level 3. She provides funded early 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

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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