Childminder in Hertfordshire

Inspection date 13 September 2018 Previous inspection date 30 September 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 uses her good teaching effectively to support children so that they gain the skills they need to move on to the next stage in their learning. She provides them with a broad variety of activities and experiences. n The childminder makes accurate assessments of children's development and uses initial information from parents effectively to ensure that children's starting points are quickly identified. This helps her to plan for the next steps in their learning. n The childminder provides a welcoming environment for the children. They settle with her quickly and she compassionately meets their needs, which helps them to feel safe and secure. n The childminder regularly reflects on the service that she provides and continually enhances her provision. She uses her strong professional network to support her in developing her practice further to fully meet the needs of the children in her care.

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It is not yet outstanding because:

n The childminder does not always support children's understanding of the importance of healthy eating and the effects that exercise has on their bodies.

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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 make the most of opportunities for children to develop a deeper understanding of the importance of healthy eating and the effects that exercise has on their bodies.

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What the setting needs to do to improve further

Inspection activities n The inspector was given a tour of the premises by the childminder and considered the suitability of the areas used for childminding indoors and outdoors. n The inspector observed a planned activity and then held a discussion with the childminder regarding the learning that had taken place. n The inspector spoke to the childminder and the children at appropriate times throughout the inspection. n The inspector took into consideration written feedback from parents of the children who are cared for by the childminder. n The inspector looked at a range of documentation, including the safeguarding policy, qualification certificates and children's progress journals.

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Effectiveness of leadership and management is good

Children are kept safe and are well cared for by the childminder. She knows the process to follow if she has any concerns about a child. The arrangements for safeguarding are effective. The childminder shares relevant information about children's development with other professionals, such as teachers, to support the continuity of children's care and learning. She has formed strong relationships with the parents of the children she looks after. They feel well informed about the progress that their children make and that their children are happy during their time with the childminder.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

Children are motivated and stay focused at the tasks they choose. The childminder skilfully varies activities to provide children with appropriate levels of challenge for their stage of development. Toddlers keenly keep returning to investigate things that they are interested in, such as trying to understand how to do up the straps on a baby car seat. The childminder asks the children a wide variety of questions to encourage them to develop their thinking skills. She provides them with opportunities to investigate why things happen and make predictions as to what may happen next. Children learn about the world around them and the childminder supports their interests. For example, they enjoy watching the fish swim in the aquarium section of a local garden centre. Children develop their mathematical language as they count while they play.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are good

The childminder knows the children in her care well and recognises the ways in which they communicate their needs. She supports the children to understand the importance of hygiene. For example, she encourages the children to wash their hands before snack time to wash away any germs. Children behave well and the childminder supports them to develop skills, such as sharing and turn taking, in age-appropriate ways. Children develop their social skills with other children, for instance, through attending regular weekly playgroups with the childminder.

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Outcomes for children are good

Overall, children make good progress with the childminder from their initial starting points. They develop a strong sense of independence and can complete tasks, such as feeding themselves, from a young age. Older children learn to use tools safely. For example, they carefully use a small knife to cut their fruit at the table for lunch. They use crayons, paints and water pens to make marks, which helps them to develop their early writing skills. Children explore using all of their senses, for instance, as they fill containers with dried pasta and listen to the sound it makes as they shake it. They thread large buttons onto colourful laces, which helps them to develop their hand-to-eye coordination.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY349312 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 10063589 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 1 - 8 Total number of places 6 Number of children on roll 7 Date of previous inspection 30 September 2015

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Registers

The childminder registered in 2007 and lives in St. Albans, Hertfordshire. She operates from 8am to 6pm, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday all year round, except for bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder holds an appropriate qualification at level 3.

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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

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Registers

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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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