Childminder in Hertfordshire

Inspection date 2 October 2018 Previous inspection date 16 July 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 has established excellent relationships with the parents. They speak very highly of her and the rapid progress their children have made. Abundant information about children's learning is frequently shared between the childminder and home. This helps to provide a highly consistent approach to children's learning. n The children are incredibly independent. They all take an active role in tasks throughout the day, such as setting the table, preparing snacks and clearing away afterwards. This helps them to learn skills for the future and become ready for the next stage in their learning. n The childminder provides a highly stimulating and inspiring learning environment for the children. Outdoor learning features greatly in the exciting activities that the childminder offers. Children learn how to manage their own safety during learning sessions in the woods and her own back garden. For example, they learn to navigate

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The provision is outstanding

the outdoors and make dens. n Children benefit from many exciting outings to bring their learning to life and to extend the already excellent learning activities. For example, children visit the train station and and old station building to enhance their understanding of transport. n The childminder's quality of teaching is outstanding. She knows the children exceptionally well and exactly what they can do. She plans exciting and rich activities that capture the children's imagination and individual interests. Children make rapid progress in their learning. n The childminder is very much committed to her own professional development. Recent training has inspired her to review her mark-making resources to enhance even further the already excellent opportunities children have to develop their early writing skills.

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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 strengthen the already excellent opportunities that children have to explore similarities and differences in the world around them.

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What the setting needs to do to improve further

Inspection activities n The inspector observed activities in the setting inside and outdoors. n The inspector looked at samples of children's records and other documentation, including policies and procedures. n The inspector spoke to the childminder and children at appropriate times during the inspection. n The inspector took account of parents' views through written feedback provided on the day. n The inspector had a tour of the areas of the premises used for childminding purposes.

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Effectiveness of leadership and management is outstanding

The childminder has highly effective systems in place for self-evaluation that also include the views of the parents and children. She constantly strives to improve. Recently the childminder has further developed her outdoor area to include even more opportunities for children to explore, grow, create and learn about the world around them. The childminder has excellent relationships with staff at a local nursery that children also attend. Valuable information on children's development is shared, helping to provide a highly consistent approach to the children's learning. Safeguarding is effective. The childminder has a very thorough knowledge of child protection and the procedures to follow should she have any concerns about a child. The childminder implements robust policies and procedures that ensure children are cared for in a safe environment.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is outstanding

Assessment of children's learning is meticulous. The childminder knows precisely what the next stage in the children's learning is and she works hard with parents and other settings that children attend to help children achieve their full potential. Children learn early mathematical skills and how to solve problems through every day experiences. For example, they work out how many bowls they need for snack time and learn about fractions as they cut their fruit in half. Children take an active role in growing fruits and vegetables in the childminder's garden, developing their understanding of where food comes from. The childminder intends to provide more opportunities for children to look at similarities and differences in the world around them. She provides outstanding opportunities for children to develop their language skills and early literacy. For example, children learn about how a story in structured as they act out and tell the story using

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are outstanding

The children have formed extremely close bonds with the childminder. They call out for her to join in their play and enjoy a cuddle with her before sleep time. The childminder has a fun nature and the children respond very well to her. They settle exceedingly quickly and are secure, confident and very happy in her home. The children are very well cared for. The childminder is an excellent role model. The children behave exceptionally well. They show affection towards each other, and a desire to help each other out. Children work together on tasks, such as tidying up, showing an extremely high level of team work and cooperation. They really value each other. Mealtimes are highly valued by the childminder as a social time and a learning experience. For example, children learn about healthy foods as they use their senses to smell, feel and taste fruit and vegetables.

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Outcomes for children are outstanding

Children make rapid progress in all areas of learning. They are exceeding milestones typical for their age. Children leave the childminder extremely well prepared for the next stage in their learning. They are independent learners, highly motivated and inspired to learn. Children learn early reading skills through simple songs and actions. They learn to recognise letters around them during everyday experiences.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY414478 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 10063625 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 - 7 Total number of places 6 Number of children on roll 6 Date of previous inspection 16 July 2015

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Registers

The childminder registered in 2010 and lives in Wheathampstead, Hertfordshire. She operates all year round from 7.45am to 6pm, Monday to Thursday, except for bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder holds qualified teacher status.

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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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