Cradock Alison Elizabeth

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 22 March 2018 4 December 2014

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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 supports children's language development well. She engages children in purposeful conversations, comments on their activities and introduces new words.  The childminder has established very good two-way partnerships with parents. She gives them a comprehensive account of their children's care and learning. Parents like her strong commitment to family values.  Children have warm and affectionate bonds with the childminder. They have good opportunities to develop their independence and lead their own learning.  The childminder values professional development. She meets with other childminders to share good practice and attends training frequently to update her knowledge of child development.  Children enjoy a good range of outings. They visit local parks and play areas for active exercise and extend their social skills at various groups.

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It is not yet outstanding because:

 At times, the childminder does not give children enough time to think through and express their ideas in response to her questions.  The childminder does not make the most of all opportunities to encourage children to learn about and use numbers during their play.

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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 teaching strategies to provide children with more time to think about, and respond to, questions  make the most of all opportunities to help children learn more about numbers and use them in their play.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector observed the children and their interactions with the childminder. She discussed the quality of teaching and children's learning with the childminder.  The inspector took account of the views of parents through telephone conversations and written feedback.  The inspector sampled essential documents, including children's records, evidence of the suitability of the childminder and her family and some policies and procedures.  The inspector looked at the areas of the home used by the children. She spoke to the childminder and the children at appropriate times.

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management is good

Safeguarding is effective. The childminder is conscientious about children's safety. She teaches them safe behaviour around the farm and implements daily risk assessments for her home and garden. The childminder attends child protection training regularly. She has an up-to-date knowledge of the procedures to follow if she is worried that a child is at risk of harm. The childminder targets her professional development well to raise the outcomes for children. For example, she has refreshed her understanding of letters and the sounds they make to support those children preparing for school. The childminder asks parents for their views and responds to their suggestions, such as increasing the frequency of her feedback on children's learning. The childminder accurately assesses children's learning levels and uses the information to plan successfully for their next steps.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

The childminder has gathered a wealth of knowledge about how children learn through play. She knows the children well and uses their interests to encourage their involvement in activities. For example, following discussions about volcanoes, she works with the children to make their own volcano. Children follow instruction well as they build up the volcano with stones and pour the different ingredients into the top. They are excited to see the 'lava' successfully bubble out and flow down the sides. The childminder teaches children about size, shape and colours during their play. She works with other settings the children attend to support continuity for their care and learning.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are good

The childminder has a kind and caring nature. Children enjoy her company and are comfortable in her care. The childminder promotes children's health well. She provides nutritious foods and talks to children about making healthy choices. Children grow produce in the garden and learn how to tend their beans and tomatoes. Children show caring attitudes in their play. For example, they take tender care of a pretend egg, placing it in a basket to keep it 'safe and warm'. The childminder makes the most of her environment to help children learn about the wider world. They watch the tractors, meet the farm animals and find out how the combine harvester works.

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Outcomes for children are good

Children make good progress in their learning from their starting points. They develop the key skills they need in readiness for the next stage of their education, including school. Children learn practical skills, such as cutting up their food and dressing themselves. They learn to behave well and demonstrate good manners. Children practise their early writing with paint brushes, pencils and chalks. They listen well to stories and enjoy choosing books to look at.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 127855 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 1102992 Type of provision Childminder Day care type Childminder Registers Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register Age range of children 1 - 5 Total number of places 6 Number of children on roll 3

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Name of registered person

Date of previous inspection 4 December 2014

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Telephone number

The childminder registered in 1993 and lives on the outskirts of Ware. The childminder offers flexible hours, but usually operates from 7.30am until 6pm Monday to Friday. She provides care all year round, except for family holidays. The childminder provides funded early education places for two-, three- and four-year-old children. She holds an appropriate early years qualification at level 3.

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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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