Childminder in Hertfordshire

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 13 March 2018 5 February 2013

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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

 Children build strong bonds with the childminder and her family. They frequently show their affection for the childminder and demonstrate that they feel very happy and confident in her care.  The experienced childminder is committed to her role. She shares her skills with other childminders and regularly completes training to continue to enhance her knowledge. Recent training has increased her understanding of how to encourage children to have ownership of their own learning.  Children learn about similarities and differences between themselves and others. For example, they look closely at their face in a mirror and discuss the differences between each other's hair and eye colour.  The childminder plans stimulating activities based on children's individual interests. This helps them to make good progress in their learning. For instance, they explore how cooked spaghetti feels as they squeeze it in their hands. They concentrate and

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This provision is good

persevere using chopsticks and small tools to pick up the spaghetti.

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It is not yet outstanding because:

 Occasionally, the childminder does not provide children with enough opportunities to solve mathematical problems.  The childminder does not always gather enough detailed information from parents about their children's prior learning. She does not make the best possible use of her own early observations to fully support precise 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  make the best possible use of early observations of children and gain more detailed information from parents about what their children know and can already do.

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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. She looked at relevant documentation and evidence of the suitability of persons living in the household.  The inspector spoke to children and interacted in their play 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 indicate that children are at risk of harm. She knows how to take swift action, to protect children's welfare in the event of a child protection concern. The childminder regularly reflects on the service she provides, seeking the views of parents and children. This ensures that she acts effectively to address any areas for improvement. The childminder carefully reviews children's progress to swiftly address any gaps in their learning. Successful partnerships with staff at other settings that children attend support children's continuity of learning. Parents appreciate how the childminder keeps them well informed about their children's progress and comment how their children 'flourish' in her care.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

The childminder creates a welcoming and stimulating environment in which children are eager to learn. Her bubbly personality and genuine praise for children's achievements motivate them to 'have a go' at challenging activities. Children experiment using a range of scissors with different blades to make snips in paper. This helps to develop the fine muscles in their hands in preparation for writing. They work out, through trial and error, how to operate electrical toys, such as toy food mixers. Children respond well to the childminder's use of questioning. They use complex sentences in their imaginative play as they pretend to call the emergency services. The childminder demonstrates that she understands the importance of sensitively engaging in children's chosen play at appropriate times to extend their learning.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are good

The childminder is a positive role model. Children behave well and use good manners without being reminded to do so. They demonstrate respectful and friendly relationships with each other. For instance, they welcome each other to join in their play and happily share toys. Children follow a good hygiene routine and cover their mouths when they cough. The childminder places a strong emphasis on meeting children's individual dietary needs. Daily access to the childminder's garden, woodland walks and regular visits to local parks help children to develop good physical skills.

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Outcomes for children are good

Children are independent individuals. They manage their own outer clothing and learn how to keep themselves safe as they use a knife to help prepare their own snack. Some children are able to recognise and write their own name. Children gain the necessary skills needed to help prepare them for their future learning.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY357931 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 1065013 Type of provision Childminder Day care type Childminder Registers Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register Age range of children 1 - 10 Total number of places 6 Number of children on roll 4

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Name of registered person

Date of previous inspection 5 February 2013

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Telephone number

The childminder registered in 2007 and lives in South Oxhey, Watford. She operates from 7.30am until 6pm from Monday to Friday all year round, except for bank holidays and family holidays.

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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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