Childminder in Hertfordshire

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 10 April 2018 Not applicable

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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 provides a child-centred and well-resourced environment where children confidently explore and are curious learners. She knows the children well, providing activities she knows will engage them and support their good progress. Comments from parents show how much they value and appreciate the good care and learning opportunities the childminder provides for their children.  The childminder has formed very strong relationships with the children. They benefit from being cared for in a nurturing environment, where they feel safe and develop a positive sense of belonging. The childminder is a good role model, teaching children to be kind and caring towards one another and helping them to build friendships.  Children's language and communication skills are fostered particularly well. The childminder talks to children continually, responding positively to emerging words, expanding their vocabulary and introducing and repeating new words as they play.

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This provision is good

 The childminder has undertaken a focused programme of professional development. She enhances her knowledge and skills effectively which positively impacts on the quality of care and education that she provides for children.

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It is not yet outstanding because:

 The childminder does not make the most of opportunities to share information about children's achievements and levels of learning with other early years settings they attend to support consistency.  The childminder does not always make the most of spontaneous opportunities to extend children's emerging awareness of shapes and counting.

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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 methods of sharing information with other carers and early years settings that children attend to help complement their learning further  build on opportunities to extend children's awareness of shapes and counting.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector spent time observing interactions between the childminder and the children.  The inspector saw all the areas of the premises used for childminding.  The inspector checked evidence of the childminder's safeguarding knowledge and procedures.  The inspector viewed a sample of the childminder's documents, including policies and children's records.  The inspector read the comments made by parents to take account of their views.

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management is good

The childminder is professional and well organised. She is proactive in seeking ways to ensure she follows current guidelines and provides children with exciting ways to learn. She evaluates her practice regularly and identifies areas that she would like to change to maintain high levels of provision. For example, she has introduced a wider variety of natural materials to encourage children's exploration and sensory play. Safeguarding is effective. The childminder knows the possible signs of abuse and understands wider issues surrounding child protection. Clear policies underpin her good practice. These are shared with parents. The childminder maintains a safe and secure home. She is vigilant in her supervision of children and alert to potential risks, such as fastening the safety zip on the trampoline before children begin to jump, to prevent them from falling out. She uses opportunities like this to teach children about safety.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

The childminder gets to know the children very well. Ongoing observation of children's development enables her to quickly identify and target gaps in their learning. The childminder gets down to children's level and is playful in her interactions which in turn stimulates them to join in. For example, they play a memory recall game where the childminder removes one item from the tray and provides clues to help them guess which item is missing. Children concentrate well and develop positive attitudes to learning. Children have plenty of opportunities to help develop their small-muscle skills in preparation for early writing. For instance, they make meaningful marks with chalks and operate play tools, such as toy screwdrivers with increasing skill. Children enjoy developing their interests and explore new ideas through new activities prepared each day by the childminder.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are good

Children positively thrive in the welcoming, homely environment. The childminder is attentive to their needs which means children are happy and secure. She constantly provides praise and encouragement to help children recognise their achievements and boost their self-confidence. Children develop good social skills. The childminder teaches children to be kind to their friends and guides them well to take turns and share resources. She regularly takes children to local groups and other childminders' homes where they interact with other adults and children. The childminder supports children's health and well-being effectively.

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Outcomes for children are good

Children make good progress. Young children build their physical skills well, such as when they hold paintbrushes and attempt puzzles. They gain a solid foundation that helps to prepare them well for future learning and eventual move on to school. Children manage self-care skills and demonstrate emerging independence, such as cutting up their own fruit at snack time and putting on their own shoes and coats.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY499323 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 1051230 Type of provision Childminder Day care type Childminder Registers Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register Age range of children 3 - 6 Total number of places 4 Number of children on roll 7

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Name of registered person

Date of previous inspection Not applicable

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Telephone number

The childminder registered in 2016. She lives in Welwyn Garden City, in Hertfordshire. She operates all year round from 7am until 6.30pm on Monday to Friday, except 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

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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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