Childminder, Out-of school day care in Hertfordshire

Inspection date 18 December 2018 Previous inspection date 16 September 2014

p.1

This inspection: Good 2

Previous inspection: Met 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 Not Applicable

p.1

This provision is good

n Children demonstrate a secure bond with the childminder. They smile with delight as they see her waiting for them outside of their classroom. The childminder is very attuned to children's emotional needs. She swiftly adapts her practice to ensure that children continue to feel secure and comforted as they become very tired from their day at school. n The childminder develops strong relationships with parents to ensure they are fully informed about the experiences and activities their children participate in. There is an effective two-way flow of information to aid children's individual needs. Parents appreciate the 'warm home-from-home environment' that the childminder creates. n The childminder provides children with a wide range of experiences based on their interests. Children enjoy woodland walks. They collect leaves to design collages and add various creative materials, such as glitter to create different effects.

p.1

This provision is good

n The childminder regularly reflects on the service she provides in partnership with the co-childminder. She actively seeks the views of parents and children. This helps to identify and address any areas for improvement effectively. n The childminder does not have highly effective links with children's teachers to fully support children's continuity of care and experiences further. n The childminder does not challenge children to do as much as possible for themselves to be highly independent individuals.

p.1

What the setting needs to do to improve further

To further improve the quality of the early years provision the provider should:

p.2

What the setting needs to do to improve further

n strengthen partnerships with children's teachers to extend on children's interests and experiences n offer children more opportunities that challenge them to do as much as possible for themselves to help them to be highly independent.

p.2

What the setting needs to do to improve further

Inspection activities n The inspector observed the quality of teaching during activities indoors and assessed the impact this has on children's learning. n The inspector accompanied the childminder on a walk to collect children from school. n The inspector held a number of discussions with the childminder. She looked at relevant documentation and evidence of the suitability of persons living in the household. n The inspector spoke to children during the inspection. n The inspector took account of the views of parents through written feedback provided and discussed with the childminder how she reflects on the service she provides.

p.2

Effectiveness of leadership and management is good

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective. The childminder has a secure understanding of possible signs that indicate that children may be at risk of harm. She knows how to take swift action to protect children's welfare in the event of a child protection concern. The childminder carries out robust risk assessments to help ensure that children remain safe in her care. Secure arrangements are in place to ensure that children are only collected by individuals who are permitted to do so. The childminder shares her policies and procedures with parents. This helps them to be fully informed about the service the childminder offers. The childminder focuses well on her role and targets her training according to the needs of children. For instance, she has recently enrolled on a life coaching qualification to support children's well-being effectively.

p.3

Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

The childminder has a good knowledge of children's individual interests and consistently incorporates these within her flexible planning and spontaneous opportunities. For instance, children wish to pretend to be a unicorn as they walk home from school. The childminder encourages children to think about how a unicorn may move and joins in with their suggestions. The childminder's bubbly personality supports children to be excited and consistently engaged in activities. She expresses a genuine interest in what children have to say. This motivates them to talk about special areas they have created at home and ask inquisitive questions about reindeers. The childminder ensures that children have access to a wide variety of resources. They dress up in costumes and use their vivid imagination to become a superhero. Children thoroughly enjoy making up their own stories and act them out with older children.

p.3

Personal development, behaviour and welfare are good

The childminder creates a warm and welcoming environment for children. She displays children's artwork around her home and each child has their own personalised box to store their creations. This helps them to feel a real sense of belonging. Older children are positive role models for younger children. They behave well and demonstrate friendly relationships. For example, they welcome younger children to join in team games, such as pin the nose on the reindeer and table football. This also helps children to be patient and take turns. The childminder provides children with good opportunities to assess their own risks. For instance, they confidently help the childminder to decide when it is safe to cross the road and know when to stop as she permits them to run a little way ahead of her.

p.3

Setting details

Unique reference number EY468060 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 10083396 Type of provision Childminder

p.4

Registers

Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register Day care type Childminder Age range of children 5 - 10 Total number of places 6 Number of children on roll 17 Date of previous inspection 16 September 2014

p.4

Registers

The childminder registered in 2013 and lives in Hitchin. She works with a co-childminder. The childminder operates from 7.30am until 9am and 3pm until 6pm, Monday to Friday, during term time only.

p.4

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.

p.4

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.

p.4

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 .

p.5

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

p.5

Registers

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

p.5

Registers

T: 0300 123 4234 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.ofsted.gov.uk

p.5