Childminder in Hertfordshire

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 3 May 2018 30 September 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

 Children form strong bonds with the childminder, who is supportive. They are curious, asking lots of questions, and show an interest in what the childminder teaches them. Children are fascinated as she explains how the blossoms on her apple and pear trees will grow into fruit that they can eat.  The childminder is passionate in everything that she does and her enthusiasm and happiness shine through her practice. Children learn with delight and dance through the house with handmade shakers, singing at the top of their voices with the childminder.  The childminder uses her depth of experience and knowledge of how children learn to teach children using a broad range of techniques. Children are highly motivated and concentrate for long periods while they complete activities.  The childminder makes a concerted effort to ensure that the children in her care learn a lot about their local area. Children visit local parks, museums and sports centres, and

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This provision is good

learn about their environment in a very active way.  The childminder forms close partnerships with parents. They praise her, saying that she has performed absolute wonders with their children. Parents feel well supported through the way that the childminder looks after their children. They are happy with the progress their children make both socially and in their educational journey.

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It is not yet outstanding because:

 The childminder does not consistently extend the learning opportunities for children who prefer to learn outdoors to explore a wide range of stimulating materials in the garden.

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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

 extend the learning opportunities for those children who prefer learning in the garden to explore a wide range of stimulating materials.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector completed a joint observation of an activity with the childminder.  The inspector observed the interactions between the childminder and children indoors and outdoors.  The inspector viewed a range of documents, including the childminder's paediatric first- aid and other training certificates, and policies and procedures.  The inspector spoke to parents and took into account written views of parents and feedback forms completed by children and parents.  The inspector viewed the parts of the premises used for childminding.

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management is good

Safeguarding is effective. The childminder and her assistant are well trained in keeping children safe and protected, and are aware of their responsibilities in this respect. The childminder reflects on her practice and has worked hard to address the recommendations made from her last inspection. She is committed to her own personal development, and immediately implements new ideas and practices that she learns from training courses. She keeps up to date by reading online publications and through research that her assistant provides. The childminder has strong links with the local schools in the area and she works alongside their curriculum to enhance children's learning. The childminder has developed a strong, shared approach to learning with parents, ensuring that children are making good progress both with her and at home.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

The childminder regularly assesses the children's learning and development. She plans challenging and interesting activities to consolidate and extend children's learning. Children learn to recognise colours and shapes as they make brightly coloured shakers using recycled materials, dried spaghetti and rice. The childminder skilfully teaches the children the name of shapes through pointing out different shapes on a chart and also by allowing the children plenty of time to think about their answers. She adapts the activity to take into consideration the children's own ideas and imaginative responses. She praises children when they inventively name a colour, 'morning blue'. The childminder extends the children's learning further by incorporating counting skills. The childminder and her assistant arrange a wide range of exciting and interesting outings and opportunities for children in the holidays, which provides children with a wealth of new knowledge and

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are good

Children display very good manners. The childminder is a good role model and she gives quick and specific praise to children when they have behaved well. They learn kindness and respect for everyone. Children practise taking turns as the childminder sets a timer on the swings so that they learn to share and wait patiently. Children wash their hands before meals while the childminder sings a song to encourage them to do it thoroughly. Children are kind and helpful to one another. The childminder demonstrates how to use a bubble machine and children then help each other to master using it. They are delighted with their efforts and with the compliments they receive from the childminder. This gives them a sense of accomplishment and positive self-esteem.

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Outcomes for children are good

Children make good progress from their starting points. Overall, they explore easily accessible resources, which allows them to make independent choices in their play. The childminder places a high priority on ensuring that children are ready for school, with a strong focus on learning early reading, writing and mathematical skills.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY365602 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 1078262 Type of provision Childminder Day care type Childminder Registers Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register Age range of children 0 - 11 Total number of places 12 Number of children on roll 5

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Name of registered person

Date of previous inspection 30 September 2014

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Telephone number

The childminder registered in 2007. She operates all year round from 7am to 7pm from Monday to Friday, except for family holidays. The childminder works with an assistant at various times during the week.

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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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