Childminder in Hertfordshire

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 2 May 2018 15 May 2015

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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 Outstanding 1

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This provision is good

 The childminder communicates well with parents and supports them in extending their children's learning at home. Parents report that they appreciate the wide variety of activities the childminder offers children and trust her implicitly to keep their children safe.  The childminder carefully monitors children's progress and acts quickly to address any weaker areas in their learning. For example, she now offers children additional activities, such as games and puzzles, which aid them in counting and in recognising shapes and numbers.  Children's behaviour is exceptional and they show great kindness and respect towards one another. Children rapidly form close bonds with the childminder and her assistant. Babies and children are very happy and demonstrate they feel extremely safe with the childminder. They flourish in her care and rapidly grow in confidence and display high levels of self-esteem.  The childminder works well with her assistant. Together they provide a variety of

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This provision is good

enjoyable and stimulating activities based on children's current interests and needs. Children are excited to learn and make good progress in their development. ?

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It is not yet outstanding because:

 The childminder has not fully established a highly focused programme of professional development for her assistant to drive forward future improvements to raise the quality of the provision even further.  The childminder does not consistently make a wide range of resources readily available to further support older children's exploration in communication technology.

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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

 focus more precisely on developing a targeted programme of professional development for the assistant, that ensures the high-quality practice is sustained and consistently improved upon  extend opportunities for children to explore information and communication technology further.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector observed the quality of teaching indoors and outdoors and assessed the impact this has on children's learning.  The inspector spoke with the childminder and children at appropriate times during the inspection.  The inspector viewed the areas of the childminder's home used by children.  The inspector looked at relevant documentation, such as policies and children's records, and took account of parents' views.

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management is good

Safeguarding is effective. The childminder has completed relevant training and understands how to help protect children. She is aware of the procedures to follow if she has a concern about a child. The childminder understands how to identify children who may be at risk of harm. She keeps her knowledge and skills up to date. For example, she has completed courses that have given her a better understanding of how children learn and develop. This has enabled her to plan age-appropriate activities that keep children interested and eager to learn. The childminder evaluates her practice well. Since the last inspection, she has improved the way in which she shares plans for children to engage in exciting creative activities throughout the day.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

The childminder plans a wide range of activities to engage children's interest. For example, they make crowns for Easter and discuss the meaning of Easter through stories. The childminder encourages children in their play and supports them to develop their skills further. For example, she uses wooden blocks to help children to count and use numbers. Young children show a good understanding of addition and subtraction, such as knowing that if the childminder adds another block there will 'one more' and if she takes one block away, there will be 'less'. All children are keen to become involved and are confident in speaking and listening to the childminder and within a group. They enjoy activities that help to develop their creative skills and literacy skills well. For instance, they learn about the colours as they carefully hold and squeeze paint from large bottles onto a tray and then mix and explore and make marks with various tools, such as potato mashers,

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are outstanding

Children show high levels of interest in activities and are very inquisitive to try new skills. They are extremely settled and secure in the childminder's care, which helps to build excellent levels of emotional well-being. Children have an abundance of opportunities to be physically active. For example, they jump on the trampoline, build obstacle courses with blocks in the childminder's garden and confidently move with control and coordination. Children behave exceptionally well and are extremely kind and considerate to each other. For example, older children help younger children readily pass objects they wish to play with. Children solve problems by helping each other. For instance, they remind each other that it will be their turn next when playing games that require turn taking. Children demonstrate exceptionally high levels of respect for others.

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Outcomes for children are good

Children are happy in their learning and gain useful skills for their future learning. They show enthusiasm in all of their activities and are eager to learn. Children develop a keen interest in books and engage in purposeful conversation. For instance, they enjoy looking at homemade books and confidently recall a visit to the fire station, as they explain that 'the water comes out of the hose' and 'stops the fire'.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY256781 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 1091660 Type of provision Childminder Day care type Childminder Registers Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register Age range of children 1 - 2 Total number of places 10 Number of children on roll 6

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Telephone number

The childminder registered in 2008. She lives in Stevenage in Hertfordshire. She operates all year, from 7am to 6pm from Monday to 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

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our website for news, information and updates at www.ofsted.gov.uk/user.

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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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