Childminder in Hertfordshire

Inspection date 6 November 2018 Previous inspection date 15 October 2012

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This inspection: Good 2

Previous inspection: Outstanding 1 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 Children enjoy their time with the childminder. They are happy, settled and confident in her care. Children seek comfort and reassurance when needed, and the childminder offers them lots of praise and encouragement. This helps to support children's emotional well-being and self-esteem. n Children have access to a good range of activities and experiences, both in the home and out in the community. They are motivated and interested in learning and develop a variety of skills as the childminder plays alongside them. She uses effective teaching techniques, such as questioning and suggesting, to successfully extend children's learning opportunities. n The childminder maintains a safe environment and uses risk assessments effectively to help to protect children from harm. She keeps up to date with current legislation, particularly in relation to child protection, to safeguard the children in her care. n Partnerships with parents are good. The childminder shares information with them

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The provision is good

about their child's progress and gathers information about their child's achievements at home. They report they are very happy with the care that she provides. n The childminder appropriately evaluates her provision to help her to ensure that the service she provides meets the needs of children. She takes into account the views of parents and other childcare professionals to reflect her practice.

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It is not yet outstanding because:

n The childminder does not focus her professional development opportunities on enhancing the quality of her teaching, to extend children's experiences to an outstanding level.

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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 focus professional development to build on the already good teaching to extend children's experiences even further.

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What the setting needs to do to improve further

Inspection activities n The inspector viewed the areas used for childminding. She talked to the children and childminder at appropriate times throughout the inspection and observed a variety of activities. n The inspector looked at evidence of the suitability and qualifications of the childminder as well as a selection of policies and procedures, including safeguarding. She discussed risk assessments and the childminder's self-evaluation process. n The inspector carried out a joint evaluation of an activity with the childminder. She discussed children's learning and development and sampled their records. n The inspector took account of the views of parents by reading a number of their comments on questionnaires obtained by the childminder.

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Effectiveness of leadership and management is good

Safeguarding is effective. The childminder has a very good understanding of how to help protect children from harm. She regularly updates her knowledge about child protection issues and the correct procedure to follow if she has concerns. She tracks children's progress closely and identifies any gaps in their learning so that these can be quickly addressed. The childminder shares information with other early years providers which helps to support children as they move into new settings. A wide range of policies and procedures helps to underpin the efficient running of her provision. She works very closely with her co-childminder, which supports continuity of care and learning for all children attending the setting.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

The childminder regularly observes children and carefully uses these observations to identify what children need to learn next. This helps to ensure all children make good progress in all areas of their learning. The childminder supports children's language and communication development very well. She interacts sensitively with children using a range of activities to help children's listening and speaking skills. For example, children snuggle with the childminder and look at familiar books together, excitedly recognising their favourite characters. Children's mathematical knowledge is well promoted. For instance, they build towers from wooden blocks, counting how many blocks they have used and compare the heights of the towers. She adapts activities well for different age groups. Younger children are engrossed as they experiment with paints using different tools. This helps to develop their early writing skills.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are good

Children settle quickly into the setting. The childminder has age-appropriate expectations for the children in her care and she manages their behaviour well. She helps children to develop a good understanding of sharing with their peers. For example, children play together and share toys without prompt. The childminder follows children's interests well, valuing their ideas. She offers opportunities for children to engage in play of their choice. For example, children talk about dinosaurs and the childminder provides books and toys to help them develop their ideas. This helps children to become confident, independent learners. Children benefit from regular outings and often visit local toddler groups, parks and places of interest. Children are physically active and experience plenty of fresh air.

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Outcomes for children are good

All children are making good progress in their learning and development. They engage in chosen activities and demonstrate good concentration skills. For example, children persevere as they build towers with small logs. They gain skills and attitudes needed for the next stage in their learning and are well prepared for their eventual move to school.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY302961 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 10083899 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 - 2 Total number of places 6 Number of children on roll 3 Date of previous inspection 15 October 2012

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Registers

The childminder registered in 2005 and lives in Welwyn in Hertfordshire. She works from her home with another childminder. The childminder operates all year round from 7.30am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, except for bank holidays and family holidays. She holds a relevant childcare qualification at level 3. The childminder provides funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children.

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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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