Childminder in Hertfordshire

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 3 May 2018 9 December 2014

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This inspection: Outstanding 1

Effectiveness of the leadership and management Outstanding 1

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This inspection: Outstanding 1

Quality of teaching, learning and assessment Outstanding 1

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This inspection: Outstanding 1

Personal development, behaviour and welfare Outstanding 1

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This provision is outstanding

 Children flourish in the childminder's care. They rapidly build very close bonds with the childminder and the other children in her setting. Children are extremely happy, confident and demonstrate they feel safe with the childminder.  The childminder has built exceptionally strong partnerships with parents and shares daily information about their child's progress. She provides an extensive range of ideas that parents can use at home to support further their children's development and details ideas for supporting children in preparing for moving to nursery and school.  The childminder frequently evaluates her practice in detail and reflects on everything she offers. She skilfully incorporates the important views and opinions of parents and children when identifying and setting monthly targets for developments to enhance her practice even further.  Children are offered extensive daily opportunities for exercise and fresh air. They

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This provision is outstanding

eagerly enjoy outdoor activities that the childminder offers, which involve exploring the nearby woods and local areas. Children delight in collecting natural items that they can use in creative pictures.  The childminder is very passionate about her work with children and has high expectations of what children can achieve. She fully promotes children's rapid language skills and communication. The childminder introduces new words, such as 'trowel' and 'aeroplane', to children and repeats words to support their pronunciation.

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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 already excellent provision in place, when sharing information with other settings that children attend, to maintain continuity of care and learning.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector observed the quality of teaching during activities indoors and outdoors, and assessed the impact this has on children's learning.  The inspector completed a joint evaluation of an activity with the childminder.  The inspector held a number of discussions with the childminder. She looked at relevant documentation and evidence of the suitability of persons living in the household.  The inspector spoke to children during the inspection.  The inspector took account of the views of parents through reading written feedback provided.

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management is outstanding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective. The childminder prioritises children's safety and well-being. She ensures that children rapidly learn ways in which they can keep themselves safe. The childminder teaches them how to cross roads and the procedure to follow in an emergency from a young age. She has very secure and detailed knowledge of the signs and symptoms of abuse. The childminder knows the procedures to follow and whom to contact with any such concerns. She eagerly extends her own skills and knowledge by frequently attending opportunities for professional development and training. The childminder understands the importance of continuing to further develop and build on the strong links she has with other settings that children attend. This will help to provide a strong continuity of learning and care for children.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is outstanding

The childminder completely involves parents in their children's development. She gathers detailed information from parents when children first start, to gain a very clear understanding about what children are already able to do. The childminder provides an extensive range of activities that challenges and engages children in learning. She consistently makes excellent use of opportunities to build on children's knowledge and extend their understanding further, which helps children to maintain their excellent progress. For example, children are encouraged to recall what plants need to grow as they plant new herbs to use for cooking and for using in their pretend play. Young children develop their mathematical skills as they count the number of caterpillars they have. Children rapidly learn to recognise letters in their name and skilfully form some letters correctly. They sound out letters to help to read new words, such as 'big bucket'.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are outstanding

Children behave extremely well. They kindly share and take turns with toys and equipment without support. Children eagerly help to tidy up activities when they have finished playing. The childminder provides a wealth of opportunities that fully supports children to develop their understanding about living a healthy lifestyle. For example, she skilfully talks to children about the food they eat during mealtimes. The childminder involves children in planning and buying food for their meals, which they delight in helping prepare. The childminder promotes excellent hygiene practices and from a young age children learn to wash away germs from their hands before any mealtimes. Children rapidly learn excellent manners, which is helped by the childminder's consistent prompts.

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Outcomes for children are outstanding

Children are very eager learners. They are exceptionally well prepared for their next stage in learning and for their move on to school. They rapidly learn the skills needed for their future development. Children delight in extending their imaginative skills. For example, children skilfully cut and mix real herbs with earth and water to create their favourite pretend dinner for their friends and talk about what they have made.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY450858 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 1105460 Type of provision Childminder Day care type Childminder Registers Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register Age range of children 1 - 8 Total number of places 6 Number of children on roll 8

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Name of registered person

Date of previous inspection 9 December 2014

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Telephone number

The childminder registered in 2012 and lives in Markyate, St. Albans. She operates her provision all year round, from 7.30am to 6pm on Monday to Friday, except for bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder provides funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children.

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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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