Albone Karen Elizabeth

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 8 May 2018 23 February 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 Good 2

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This provision is good

 Children develop very competent language skills. They enjoy a wide range of conversations with the childminder, which help to extend their understanding and vocabulary.  The childminder supports children's emotional development effectively. Children form close bonds with the childminder and show they feel happy, safe and secure. They confidently seek cuddles and attention from her, which she responds to immediately.  Partnerships with other settings children attend are effective. The childminder exchanges information so they can work together to support children's individual needs consistently and complement activities.  The childminder has successfully reviewed how she monitors children's development to address the recommendation raised in the last inspection. For instance, she offers children choices, encourages them to make their own decisions and helps them to share and take turns. This helps them learn that their views are of value and important

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This provision is good

and builds their confidence in their abilities.

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It is not yet outstanding because:

 The childminder does not fully involve parents in the self-evaluation process to help her identify further ways to build on the already good provision.  The childminder does not provide a wide enough range of opportunities for children to learn more consistently about cultures and communities other than their own.

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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

 explore ways to involve parents fully in the self-evaluation process to help identify areas for development  provide more opportunities for children to learn about cultures and communities other than their own.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector observed children playing with the childminder.  The inspector had a tour of parts of the childminder's home used for childminding.  The inspector considered parents' views by reading testimonials written for the inspection and spoke to children at appropriate times during the inspection.  The inspector spoke to the childminder about how she manages her setting, plans for children's progress and how she works with parents.  The inspector sampled a range of documents, including children's records, policies and training certificates.

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management is good

The childminder successfully keeps her knowledge up to date. She researches independently and attends courses, which helps to broaden her skills to provide learning opportunities in different ways. For instance, recent training has extended her knowledge of alternative ways to help younger children build on their vocabulary and improve their concentration skills. The childminder can identify potential behaviour that may indicate children's welfare is at risk and she knows what to do if she has concerns. The childminder is vigilant and ensures children are safe at all times. She completes ongoing assessments of her home and garden to ensure children can play safely. Safeguarding is effective.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

The childminder supports children's learning and development well. She successfully monitors their progress from their starting points. This assists her to identify any gaps in development early and provide the appropriate support. The childminder encourages children to explore and investigate a wide range of textures and materials, such as stampers, cutters and dough. The childminder extends children's early mathematical skills well. For instance, children learn to count and compare sizes while playing with bangles and necklaces they use when dressing up. The childminder keeps parents well informed of their children's progress and offers suggestions to enhance their learning and development at home.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are good

The childminder effectively supports children's welfare needs. She provides a warm and welcoming environment where children settle well. The childminder encourages children to be active, such as playing in the fresh air daily to help develop their physical capabilities and coordination. Children learn to be independent and complete simple self-help tasks, such as tidying away after play, washing their hands after toileting and feeding themselves at mealtimes. As children complete these activities, the childminder praises their achievements and children respond with a smile to show pride in themselves and increasingly positive self-esteem. Children behave well.

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Outcomes for children are good

Children make good progress and are gaining a solid foundation that helps prepare them for future learning. They show an eagerness to explore, investigate resources and try to discover how these work. For example, young children learn about cause and effect as they realise that pushing a button on a toy makes a noise. Older children happily engage in role play and confidently count the number of candles on the pretend birthday cake they make for the childminder and their friends.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 149361 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 1089765 Type of provision Childminder Day care type Childminder Registers Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register Age range of children 2 - 1 Total number of places 6 Number of children on roll 5

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Name of registered person

Date of previous inspection 23 February 2015

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Telephone number

The childminder registered in 1998 and lives in Letchworth in Hertfordshire. She operates all year round from 8am to 6pm on 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

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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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