Costello, Angela

Inspection date 10 January 2019 Previous inspection date 13 November 2014

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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 Good 2

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This provision is good

n The childminder plans a good variety of experiences that helps children to make good progress. For example, she takes children on a wide range of outings, such as visits to a local farm. Children learn how to keep themselves safe as they enjoy rides in a cart, pulled by a tractor. They feed animals and watch lambs being born. n The experienced childminder focuses well on her role. She regularly completes training to continue to enhance her knowledge and skills. Recent training has increased her understanding of how to further enhance children's thinking and speaking skills. n Children build strong bonds with each other, the childminder and her extended family. They regularly interact with the childminder's grandchildren using an electronic device. The childminder works closely with parents to help children to swiftly settle. For example, she suggests that they bring a personal item from home. n The childminder continuously evaluates her practice, identifying and addressing areas

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This provision is good

for improvement. n The childminder does not always gather detailed information from parents about their child's prior learning, to enable her to sharply focus on children's precise learning needs from the outset. n The childminder does not share precise information about children's ongoing achievements with staff from other settings that children attend, to fully support continuity in their learning.

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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 gain more detailed information from parents about what their child knows and can already do when they first start n strengthen partnerships with staff from other settings that children attend so that more precise information about children's achievements is shared.

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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 completed a joint evaluation of an activity with the childminder. 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 with 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.

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Effectiveness of leadership and management is good

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective. The childminder has a secure understanding of the 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. Children's safety is of the utmost priority to the childminder. She ensures that children remain within her sight at all times and has recently chosen to install an external security system. The childminder reviews children's progress to swiftly address any possible gaps in their learning. She provides parents with valuable advice to support children's individual development. Parents particularly appreciate the home- from-home environment the childminder creates.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

The childminder's ongoing observations and assessments of children's learning support her to consistently adapt her teaching to meet their individual needs. For example, she uses more complex sentences to challenge most-able children's communication and language skills. Children are inquisitive individuals. They enjoy discovering different sounds as they press the buttons on an electronic toy clock. The childminder effectively introduces children to mathematical language. This motivates children to identify that a giraffe has a long neck. Children demonstrate that they thoroughly enjoy the childminder's sensitive interaction in their play. They use their vivid imagination to pretend to make her a cup of tea and toast. The childminder provides children with good opportunities to work out problems for themselves, for instance how to rotate foam cubes as they dip them into paint to create different marks on a piece of paper.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are good

The childminder is a positive role model. She consistently uses good manners and helps children to respect the choices of others. Children behave well and confidently carry out age-appropriate responsibilities. The childminder's genuine praise for children's achievements supports them to have a strong sense of self-esteem. She supports children to consistently follow an effective hygiene routine. Children develop good physical skills. They enjoy walks with the childminder and her dogs, and climb on large apparatus at the local park.

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Outcomes for children are good

Children are independent for their age. They are beginning to manage their own personal needs. Children express a keen interest in books. They independently turn the pages and predict what animal will be on the next page. Children eagerly delve into a basket of soft toy animals and match these to the animals on the pages. Children make good progress and gain the skills needed to help prepare them for their future learning at school.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY222056 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 10083508 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 13 November 2014

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Registers

The childminder registered in 2002 and lives in St Ippolyts, Hitchin. She operates all year round from 8.30am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, except for 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

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