Childminder in Hertfordshire

Inspection date 24 September 2018 Previous inspection date 20 October 2015

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This inspection: Outstanding 1

Previous inspection: Good 2 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

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The provision is outstanding

n The childminder is highly reflective in the service that she offers. She seeks in-depth feedback from parents on all areas of her provision and takes the views of the children into consideration. She ensures her training is up to date and continually develops her exceptional professional knowledge to fully support the children. n The childminder has a very strong understanding of the early years foundation stage. She offers children an exciting range of opportunities to learn and expertly uses thought-provoking questions to encourage children to investigate ideas for themselves. All children make exceptional progress with the childminder from their initial starting points and are motivated and interested in what they are learning. n The childminder uses her in-depth knowledge of each child to offer them relevant opportunities to learn about things that interest them. Children talk confidently to the

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The provision is outstanding

childminder and visiting adults about their families and things that are important to them. n Children are highly independent learners. They are very confident in completing tasks for themselves. For instance, as they get ready to go out, older children independently put on their shoes correctly without any support. n Assessments of the children's learning and development are excellent. The childminder swiftly identifies children's initial starting points, using both her professional knowledge and parents' input. She uses this information effectively to rapidly close any gaps in their learning. n Relationships between the childminder and the children are extremely strong. Children form strong emotional bonds and settle in very quickly. The childminder provides the children with a caring and homely atmosphere where they feel safe. This supports them to fully focus on their learning.

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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 continue to enhance the outdoor learning environment to support children's already high quality of learning experiences further.

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What the setting needs to do to improve further

Inspection activities n The inspector had a tour of the areas of the property used for childminding indoors and outdoors. n The inspector looked at feedback from parents on the service the childminder provides and took this into consideration. n The inspector observed an activity and considered the impact of the teaching on children's learning. n The inspector spoke to the childminder and children present at suitable times throughout the inspection. n The inspector looked at a range of documentation, including policies, qualification certificates and children's progress documents.

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Effectiveness of leadership and management is outstanding

Safeguarding is effective. The childminder has an excellent understanding of the process to follow if concerns arise about a child in her care. She is highly productive in implementing her policies. Parents feel extremely well informed about the progress their children make. This strong communication supports the childminder to meet the needs of the children in her care exceptionally well. The childminder has identified areas for development in her service. She intends to improve the outside learning environment to maintain the excellent experiences children's enjoy that support their learning to a very high level. The childminder recognises that working in partnership with other professionals, such as nursery teachers, supports the continuity in children's learning extremely well.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is outstanding

The childminder is passionate about her role in children's development. She seamlessly links the different areas of learning together during activities. Children explore and investigate as they play. Children's language development is very advanced and the childminder supports this superbly. For instance, she uses relevant vocabulary as she talks to them about what they are doing and introduces new words to extend their skills. Children develop an understanding of the importance of tidying away and looking after the toys they use. The childminder motivates children of all ages as they learn. She skilfully adapts activities so that all children benefit from really challenging learning experiences.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are outstanding

Children demonstrate an excellent understanding of safety with the childminder. For instance, they give clear responses to her when she asks them why they need to walk inside the house. Children have a deep sense of belonging and form really strong attachments to the childminder. Children have a very well-developed inclusive approach to their learning and enjoy a rich range of opportunities to practise sharing and taking turns. The childminder has very high expectations for children's behaviour. Children recognise and are highly responsive to this, demonstrating their excellent behaviour. Children are incredibly sociable and the childminder supports them to develop friendships, such as when she takes them to local playgroups with other childminders.

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Outcomes for children are outstanding

Children are exceptionally well prepared for the next stage in their learning. Children learn to develop their small muscles through exciting activities, such as when they use tweezers to pick up small dinosaurs from a tray. They persist and stay focused, showing high levels of determination while they concentrate. Children discuss numbers as they play. For instance, they talk about the number of legs various creatures have. Older children re-tell their favourite stories enthusiastically, using their imaginations to change the endings creatively. Younger children enjoy looking at books and learn to turn the pages appropriately. They dance and sing along to their favourite songs with enjoyment.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY355988 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 10063594 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 5 Date of previous inspection 20 October 2015

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Registers

The childminder registered in 2007 and lives in Welwyn Garden City, Hertfordshire. She operates all year round, from 7.30am to 6pm from Monday to Friday, 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

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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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