Childminder in Hertfordshire

Inspection date 15 November 2018 Previous inspection date 29 January 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 well-qualified childminder and her assistant make excellent use of any new knowledge gained from training and research. For example, they have gained a greater understanding of young children's brain development which aids them in helping to support children to develop solid and secure attachments. n The childminder is excellent at helping children to develop and sustain deep concentration and thinking skills through interesting learning opportunities. Children engage extremely well in exploring natural resources, using all their senses. For example, they use magnifying glasses to look carefully at pine cones and explore the smoothness of conkers in their hands. n Partnership working with parents is exceptional. Parents state their children are superbly cared for by the childminder and her assistant. They talk about how children with complex needs, such as food allergies, are kept safe as the childminder is

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The provision is outstanding

extremely vigilant with the food and activities she provides. n The childminder and her assistant have established excellent links with other early years settings that children attend. They are highly proactive in sharing information and making visits to speak with teaching staff. This enables them to fully support continuity in children's learning. n The childminder is inspirational and works seamlessly with her dedicated assistant. Together they carefully tailor their work to make consistent improvements to their practice and the learning outcomes for children.

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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 implement the excellent plans for the outdoor area to enhance the already rich learning opportunities for children who prefer to learn outdoors.

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What the setting needs to do to improve further

Inspection activities n The inspector observed the childminder and her assistant joining in activities with children and discussed the learning that was taking place with them. n The inspector looked at the areas of the premises used for childminding and accompanied the childminder, assistant and children on a short walk. n The inspector took into account the written views of parents and the childminder's reflections of her practice. n The inspector discussed children's development with the childminder and looked at assessment records. n The inspector saw the documents showing suitability of household members and a range of other documents, including the safeguarding policy.

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Effectiveness of leadership and management is outstanding

Safeguarding is effective. The childminder and her assistant are extremely vigilant about child protection concerns. The childminder maintains her own and her assistant's professional development through a diverse range of methods, including supervision, training and research. She accurately reflects on her practice and actively seeks the views of her assistant, the parents and children so that she can implement their ideas. She finds out from parents what means of sharing information best meets their needs. Consequently, information sharing is of a very high quality and has a significant impact on children's learning and development. The childminder and her assistant recognise the need to implement their plans to develop their garden further. They feel this will enhance the learning opportunities for children who prefer to learn outdoors even more.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is outstanding

Superb teaching ensures children thrive and develop at a fast pace in this warm and welcoming setting. The childminder is excellent at recognising the different ways children like to learn. She uses her home to provide different learning environments, such as quiet spaces and places where children can play imaginatively. The childminder is a patient teacher as she gives children quality time to learn, such as for them to explore how to use glue to make marks and what it feels like on their fingers. She is able to identify swiftly where children need additional help, support or challenge. Through precise assessment, planning and teaching, she helps children to reach their next steps in learning quickly.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are outstanding

Children form exceptionally close bonds with the childminder and her assistant. They are very happy, settled and emotionally secure in their care. The childminder constantly praises children's efforts, which contributes to children having an extremely positive 'can- do' attitude. For example, from a young age they can put on their own coats and boots as they prepare to go out for a walk. The childminder supports children to understand the importance of leading a healthy lifestyle extremely well. For example, young children learn to walk on outings rather than being taken in a buggy. Children grow vegetables in the garden so that they can learn how healthy food grows and be involved in the whole process from sowing seeds to eating fresh food.

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Outcomes for children are outstanding

Children make rapid progress and are extremely well prepared for the next stage in their learning. Children are confident and inquisitive and show a natural curiosity towards learning. They quickly gain excellent early reading skills, such as through independently looking at books and sharing stories with the childminder and her assistant. Their clear precise questions help children to learn to gain information and express their ideas, firstly from looking at pictures and then from anticipating what might happen next.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY305106 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 10059373 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 0 - 8 Total number of places 12 Number of children on roll 7 Date of previous inspection 29 January 2015

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Registers

The childminder registered in 2005 and lives in Hitchin. She operates all year round, from 7.45am to 5.30pm from Monday to Friday, except for bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder works with an assistant. They both hold appropriate early years qualifications 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

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

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Registers

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

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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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