Childminder in Hertfordshire

Inspection date 21 August 2018 Previous inspection date 23 June 2015

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This inspection: Good 2

Previous inspection: Good 2 Effectiveness of leadership and management Good 2 Quality of teaching, learning and assessment Good 2 Personal development, behaviour and welfare Good 2 Outcomes for children Good 2

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The provision is good

n The childminder has a good understanding of how to monitor children's progress and is responsive to their needs and interests. She observes skills that children are trying to master and offers opportunities to help them to make good progress. n The childminder consistently praises children's efforts and achievements, which helps them to grow in confidence and self-esteem and try new activities. Children are independent and becoming ready for school quickly. n The childminder has a good understanding and uses a range of strategies that manages and promotes positive behaviour. Children are well behaved and helpful. They help to tidy up the toys after they have finished playing and carry out instructions well. n The childminder has developed strong relationships with parents. She keeps them regularly informed of their children's day, progress made and what they need to learn next. Parents are very complimentary about the care and teaching that the childminder

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It is not yet outstanding because:

n The childminder does not provide a wide enough range of opportunities for children to practise and build on their early writing skills. n The childminder does not yet sharply focus her professional development on raising the quality of teaching to further enhance learning experiences for children.

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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

n extend the range of opportunities for children to build on their early writing skills n reflect more precisely on the quality of teaching to identify how practice can be improved even further to help children to reach the highest level of learning.

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What the setting needs to do to improve further

Inspection activities n The inspector observed activities and interactions between the childminder and children, and spoke with her and interacted with children at appropriate times. n The inspector looked at children's assessment records, planning documentation and a selection of policies, including safeguarding procedures and the childminder's first-aid certificate. n The inspector held discussions with the childminder in relation to observations of the children's play, learning and progress. n The inspector spoke with the childminder about how she engages with parents and discussed how she evaluates her provision and targets areas for improvement.

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Effectiveness of leadership and management is good

Safeguarding is effective. The childminder knows how to protect children from harm and what action to take should she have concerns about their welfare. She has a good understanding of how to keep the environment safe and considers potential hazards in her home and on outings. The childminder reflects well on her service and the activities that she provides for children. The childminder monitors children's development regularly to ensure that they are making good progress. This close monitoring helps her to identify what children need to learn next and to plan activities that are suited to the child's individual needs.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

The childminder supports children's communication skills well. She gives children time to talk and she listens carefully to what they have to say. They spend time having lengthy conversations led by children. This gives children confidence and security when talking. Children's understanding of the world and creative skills are well promoted. For instance, children recall a visit to the farm. They name their favourite animals and have lots of fun making different animal sounds as they glue and stick farm animal pictures. The childminder supports children's early mathematical skills well. For example, she encourages children to sort, group and compare lengths of various colour balls of wool as they wind them around their wrists. The childminder encourages parents to share learning that has happened at home and she gives them ideas about what they can do to further help their child's progress.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are good

The childminder provides a welcoming learning environment with a good range of toys and resources that is accessible to all ages of children. This helps to give all children freedom to make choices over their own play and promotes their independence. Children follow good hygiene routines and develop their self-care skills. They have regular exercise on the walk to school as well as on outings to the park. The childminder encourages children to think about healthy lifestyles. The childminder and children talk about the benefits healthy food has on their bodies. In addition, children visit local parks areas, farms and playgroups and gain good skills in their balance and coordination as they climb and explore nature. Children are treated with warmth and kindness and form strong attachments with the childminder. This helps them to feel safe and emotionally secure.

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Outcomes for children are good

Children make good progress from their starting points. They demonstrate a positive approach to play and learning. Toddlers develop good levels of concentration and spend extended time playing with toys of their own choice. They enjoy pretend play as they cover their dolls with blankets and competently dress them in play clothes. They are developing good imagination skills. Young children share and play cooperatively. They readily take turns and share toys in their play. Children are constantly engaged in exciting activities and confidently lead their own play. They develop good skills which support them to be well prepared for their future learning and the move on to school.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 130220 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 10060615 Type of provision Childminder

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Registers

Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register Day care type Childminder Age range of children 2 - 2 Total number of places 6 Number of children on roll 2 Date of previous inspection 23 June 2015

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Registers

The childminder registered in 1997 and lives in Potters Bar in Hertfordshire. She operates all year round from 7.30am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, except for bank holidays and family holidays.

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Registers

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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Registers

procedures set out in the guidance Complaints procedure: raising concerns and making complaints about Ofsted, which is available from Ofsted's website: www.ofsted.gov.uk . 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 and Support Service (Cafcass), schools, colleges, initial teacher training, further education and skills, 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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Registers

If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 1231, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk .

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Registers

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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Registers

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more information and updates: www.ofsted.gov.uk/user .

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Registers

T: 0300 123 4234 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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