Childminder in Hertfordshire

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 9 March 2018 Not applicable

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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 builds superb partnerships with parents. She shares with them daily information about children's personal development and ideas on how to extend their skills and interests. Children have exceptional continuous support in their learning.  The childminder is expert in using her meticulous assessments of children's skills to plan challenging activities for them. For example, she engages children in investigating best ways to use spoons to fill up toy eggs with dry rice. Children compare the weight of the eggs, shake them to make sounds and show exceptional language skills.  The childminder engages children in inspirational story sessions that capture their attention fully. For example, children copy words, and imitate the sounds and the actions of animals from their favourite book. They retell the story with props and help from the outstanding childminder. Teaching is superb and children make fast progress.

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This provision is outstanding

 Children rapidly settle in the care of the extremely welcoming and caring childminder. Partnerships with parents are excellent. Children quickly become confident and feel at home. They are extremely comfortable with the routines and thrive.  The childminder completes thorough risk assessments of the premises, ensuring the safety of children is her priority. Children learn from a young age to analyse risks. For example, they visit their local school-crossing officer to learn about traffic safety, learn fire safety with visits from a firefighter and practise fire drills. Children are very confident and secure.

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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

 continue the excellent continuous professional development opportunities that focus on delivering the highest quality of teaching.

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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 completed a joint evaluation of an activity with the childminder.  The inspector held a number of discussions with the childminder and looked at training and qualifications certificates. She looked at relevant documentation and evidence of the suitability of people living in the household.  The inspector interacted with children during the inspection.  The inspector took account of the views of parents through written feedback provided.

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management is outstanding

Safeguarding is effective. The childminder is extremely confident in her knowledge of the signs of abuse and of child protection procedures. She takes part in safeguarding training regularly and knows how to refer possible concerns. Policies are shared with parents, who benefit from a wealth of information about the services she provides for children. The childminder maintains an impeccable reflective practice and parents actively share their views to help with the continuous improvement of the outcomes for children. The childminder has high expectations of herself and of children. She sees the capacity to attend more professional development opportunities to enhance her excellent teaching skills and, consequently, children's outstanding learning even further.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is outstanding

The childminder observes children's skills and uses this information to accurately assess their next steps in learning. Educational programmes are exceptionally stimulating. In the garden, for example, the childminder challenges children to explore exciting playground equipment. She encourages children to use their imagination while creating a 'fairy garden' and a 'building area' with abundant resources. The childminder promotes children's language skills extremely well. For example, she engages them in playing hairdressers. Children look at mirrors and talk about their hair and facial features. They learn about their differences and similarities, and develop a positive self-image.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are outstanding

Children rapidly learn to manage their self-care needs. From a young age, they wash their hands before meals, after toileting or nappy changing, and after playing outside. Children delight in helping to tidy up toys, cutting their own fruit and helping to prepare meals. For example, they picked potatoes by themselves at a farm and helped prepare a cottage pie. The childminder expertly teaches children about healthy living. They have nutritious meals and self-serve vegetables and fruit as they wish. Children have superb opportunities to be physically active and to play outside. The childminder praises their achievements and ideas constantly. She works extremely well with parents to support children's emotional development. Children have great social skills and behave exceptionally well.

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Outcomes for children are outstanding

Children are extremely interested in the extensive range of play opportunities available. For example, they immerse in imaginative play at the home corner. They pretend to cook meals for their dolls while discussing food they like, dislike and never tried. Children learn about cultures and festivals, and explore their local community. They are extremely confident and make exceptional progress across all areas of learning. Children successfully develop the skills needed to start nursery and school.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY492840 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 1033056 Type of provision Childminder Day care type Childminder Registers Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register Age range of children 1 - 7 Total number of places 6 Number of children on roll 6

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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 Hemel Hempstead. She operates all year round, from 7am to 7pm on Monday to Friday, except for family holidays. The childminder 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

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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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