Childminder in Hertfordshire

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 27 March 2018 19 November 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 is proactive in supporting other childminders and is part of the county council's childminder forum group. The childminder has high expectations and is driven to improve outcomes for children.  The childminder knows the children who attend her setting very well and ensures their individual needs are consistently met. Children have very positive relationships with the childminder. They demonstrate they feel secure and clearly enjoy their time with her.  Children are highly independent, sociable and are keen to involve visitors in their play. They make up games that they describe as 'special'. Children show a good understanding of sharing resources, turn taking and fairness, as they explain the rules for their invented games.  Parents speak very positively of the highly experienced childminder. Children benefit from many years of continuous care and education from her. Parents state their

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This provision is good

children are very happy and full of conversation about the wonderful activities they have done.  The childminder helps children to learn how they can use recycled products for their enjoyment. For example, children explore what happens when they spin old shiny tea trays round, comparing the different speed of large ones and smaller ones.

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It is not yet outstanding because:

 The childminder does not consistently provide children with regular access to outdoor play and learning opportunities.

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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

 provide children with more opportunities for play and learning in the outdoors.

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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 into account the written views of parents and the childminder's reflections on her practice.  The inspector looked at children's records, evidence of the suitability of household members and a range of other documents, including the safeguarding policy.

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management is good

Safeguarding is effective. The childminder knows what to do if she has concerns about children's safety or welfare. In addition, she knows the action to take should any allegations be made against herself or another household member. The childminder reflects on her practice well. She regularly makes notes on what she wants to change and improve. The childminder also identifies what training courses will have an impact on her teaching and knowledge, such as looking at different ways that children learn. The childminder regularly tracks children's progress and identifies any emerging gaps in their development. She discusses her findings with parents and with other professionals, such as teachers at nurseries that children attend. These strong partnerships help to promote continuity in children's learning.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

The childminder observes children as they engage in activities and this helps her to identify their individual interests and what they need to learn next. She uses this knowledge to provide further activities that support children's overall good progress. The childminder uses spontaneous opportunities to teach children mathematics. For example, when children are cutting paper she teaches them about simple fractions, as she explains how two half circles make a whole. The childminder also teaches children about how text carries meaning. She models writing for a purpose by writing on children's pictures to record what they say about them.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are good

The childminder effectively supports children's independence and helps them to make good food choices. Children are keen to help make nutritious meals and choose from a wide range of fruit. The childminder has high expectations that children can learn to do things for themselves, from a young age. They rise to these challenges as they tidy away toys and find their own belongings in their bags. Children enjoy attending toddler groups, where they socialise with other children. The childminder helps children to learn how to manage risks, such as when they are walking and crossing roads. This helps children build vital skills as they learn how to keep themselves safe.

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Outcomes for children are good

Children are developing effective skills they need to aid their future learning and the eventual move to school. They enjoy choosing books from the vast array accessible to them. They confidently tell the childminder that they can read books themselves and spend time pretending to read stories to soft toys. Children are learning to use tools skilfully. They carefully draw round templates, holding their pencil correctly. They know how to carry and use scissors safely and are pleased when they are successful at cutting out shapes.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 149357 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 1103043 Type of provision Childminder Day care type Childminder Registers Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register Age range of children 0 - 8 Total number of places 6 Number of children on roll 6

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Name of registered person

Date of previous inspection 19 November 2014

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Telephone number

The childminder registered in 1992 and lives in Stevenage. The childminder operates all year round from 7.45am to 5.15pm from Monday to Thursday and from 7.45am to 1pm on Friday, 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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