Childminder in Hertfordshire

Inspection date 27 November 2018 Previous inspection date 29 September 2014

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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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This provision is good

n The childminder is a positive role model. She forms close bonds with children, who show they settle well and are happy in her care. For instance, young children seek spontaneous cuddles from her. n Children learn to be independent. For instance, the childminder encourages older children to unpack their lunch boxes, feed themselves and clear away after meals, which helps them to develop their confidence and gain skills for school readiness. n The childminder continues to develop her knowledge and skills effectively. For example, recent training on providing children with more independence has helped the childminder increase opportunities for children to make more choices in their everyday play. n The childminder completes ongoing observations and assessments of children's progress, to help her ensure children continue to move on in their development. She effectively monitors children's progress so that she can close any gaps in learning.

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This provision is good

n The childminder does not consistently make the most of spontaneous opportunities to extend children's emerging awareness of mathematical ideas, especially shapes and counting. n The childminder misses some opportunities to promote children's sensory experiences when playing indoors.

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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 build on opportunities to extend children's mathematical awareness, especially with regard to shapes and counting n extend opportunities for children to support their sensory experiences.

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What the setting needs to do to improve further

Inspection activities n The inspector observed children playing indoors independently and with the childminder. n The inspector spoke to the childminder about how she manages her setting and plans for children's progress and development. n The inspector spoke to children at appropriate times during the inspection and considered parents' views by reading written testimonials. n The inspector sampled a range of documents, including children's records, training records and policies, and suitability checks for the adults who live in the home.

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Effectiveness of leadership and management is good

Safeguarding is effective. The childminder has a good knowledge and understanding of the child protection policy and procedures if concerned for a child's welfare. She makes good use of information from other professionals and organisations dedicated to early years to develop her skills. The childminder welcomes families into her setting and is supportive to children as they embark on their next stage of learning, for example, at nursery and school. The parents are very happy with the caring environment the childminder provides and comment that their children make good progress in all areas of their learning and development. The childminder evaluates her provision well to identify where she can continue to make improvements.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

The childminder support children's communication and language skills effectively. For example, she introduces new vocabulary during imaginary play, such as naming different sea life creatures, such as 'sharks' and 'sting rays', while children play with small-world animals. In addition, she uses opportunities when children are out on visits, to extend language further and introduce very early reading, such as, talking about road safety and sounding out letters on road signs.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are good

The childminder promotes children's positive behaviour using praise and encouragement. Children behave well. She encourages children to explore emotions, such as discussing how the characters in a story are feeling when they read books. She gives parents advice about healthy food to provide in their children's packed lunches. The childminder teaches children to share and take turns and encourages them to have good manners. Children enjoy social outings where they meet other groups of children and adults. For example, the childminder and children visit other childminders' homes and attend toddler groups.

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Outcomes for children are good

All children make good progress in relation to their starting points. Children enjoy taking part in physical activity, such as playing ball games in the garden or going on nature walks. Children explore and follow their own ideas and are learning to problem solve. For example, while children play with different transport toys, they think about why a toy boat floats in the water and the car does not. Children quickly work out that cars have wheels and will sink in the water. They enjoy activities across all areas of learning and are prepared well for their eventual move on to school.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY371402 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 10069425 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 6 Number of children on roll 10 Date of previous inspection 29 September 2014

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Registers

The childminder registered in 2008. She lives and works with her husband, who is a registered co-childminder, in Wheathampstead, Hertfordshire. She operates all year round, from 7.30am to 6pm from Monday to Thursday, except bank holidays and family holidays.

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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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