Childminder in Hertfordshire

Inspection date 10 September 2018 Previous inspection date Not applicable

p.1

This inspection: Outstanding 1

Previous inspection: Not applicable Effectiveness of leadership and management Outstanding 1 Quality of teaching, learning and assessment Outstanding 1 Personal development, behaviour and welfare Outstanding 1 Outcomes for children Outstanding 1

p.1

The provision is outstanding

n Children rapidly form very close bonds with the childminder. They are very happy and demonstrate they feel extremely safe with the childminder. Children flourish in her care and rapidly grow in confidence and display high levels of self-esteem. n Children thoroughly enjoy the vibrant and exciting outdoor area. They competently take manageable risks in their play. For instance, children expertly balance on wobbly wooden bridges and climb up to a tree house. They negotiate space very well as they use slides and run around the garden. Children make up their own obstacle course. Outcomes for children are excellent. n The childminder fosters superior partnerships with other providers, including the local schools. This actively promotes a high level of consistent, continuous support for children's care and learning. n The childminder makes an uncompromising effort to continually seek out the most suitable training opportunities to build on her expert knowledge and skills. For example,

p.1

The provision is outstanding

she recently planned innovative ways to increase children's opportunities to access more natural and home-made resources to further support their already excellent independent skills. n The childminder has built exceptionally close partnerships with parents. She provides them with an abundance of ideas for activities. The childminder expertly supports parents to have confidence in continuing their child's learning in the home environment.

p.1

What the setting needs to do to improve further

To further improve the quality of the early years provision the provider should:

p.2

What the setting needs to do to improve further

n extend the already excellent opportunities for children to explore information and communication technology further and monitor the impact of this on children's outcomes.

p.2

What the setting needs to do to improve further

Inspection activities n The inspector observed the quality of teaching during activities indoors and outdoors and assessed the impact this had on children's learning. n The inspector spoke with the childminder and children during the inspection. n The inspector held a discussion with the childminder. She looked at relevant documentation and evidence of the suitability of adults in the home. n The inspector took into account the views of parents during the inspection.

p.2

Effectiveness of leadership and management is outstanding

Safeguarding is effective. Child protection is at the heart of the childminder's practice and she has an extremely thorough knowledge of the signs that cause concern for children's welfare. The experienced childminder has a comprehensive understanding of how children learn and develop and has very high expectations of all children. She completes rigorous tracking of their progress to help identify and swiftly address gaps in their learning. Children make exceptional progress from their starting points. The childminder is highly motivated in evaluating her service. She has identified that there is the opportunity to further enhance children's use of more technological resources in all areas of play. She knows this will further encourage children's exploration and investigation skills to an even higher level. However, she has not yet fully developed these resources.

p.3

Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is outstanding

The childminder plans exceptionally exciting activities to help stimulate and motivate children in their learning. She makes excellent use of children's play to help them think about why things happen and how things work. For example, young children curiously experiment dropping small and large objects into various metal tea and coffee pots. The childminder helps the children to identify why some do not pass through, 'as they are too big'. All children become engrossed in their imaginary play. For example, they sit in a sailing boat filled with sand and try to find hidden wooden numbers with spades and scoops. During such activities, the childminder uses a first-class range of questioning techniques to enhance children's language, thinking and problem-solving skills even further.

p.3

Personal development, behaviour and welfare are outstanding

The childminder holds in depth discussions with children about eating healthily and being extremely independent while preparing their own snack. For instance, she reminds children to drink after being physically active and supports them to competently use safety knives to cut up their fruit. This enhances children's awareness of how to manage their own self-care and learn about the benefits of maintaining an excellent healthy lifestyle. Behaviour is exceptionally positive, and children of different ages play harmoniously together.

p.3

Outcomes for children are outstanding

Children develop as confident communicators. They listen and respond extremely well during conversations, taking account of what others say and contributing their views. Children develop excellent literacy and mathematical skills. They make rapid progress towards the next stages in their learning and are prepared extremely well for their move on to school.

p.3

Setting details

Unique reference number EY535561 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 10067400 Type of provision Childminder

p.4

Registers

Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register Day care type Childminder Age range of children 1 - 8 Total number of places 6 Number of children on roll 9 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

p.4

Registers

The childminder registered in 2016 and lives in Watford, in Hertfordshire. She operates from 7.15am to 6.30pm, Monday to Friday, term time only. The childminder has an appropriate childcare qualification at level 3.

p.4

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.

p.4

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.

p.4

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 .

p.5

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

p.5

Registers

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

p.5

Registers

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

p.5