Childminder in Hertfordshire

Inspection date 18 January 2019 Previous inspection date 23 May 2013

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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 varied range of experiences that help children to make good progress. For example, she regularly takes them on visits to a local farm. Children observe how animals move and to respect them as they gently stroke a horse and feed lambs using a bottle. n The childminder's nurturing personality helps children to feel comfortable and secure. Children enjoy her frequent cuddles. They snuggle up to her as she reads them their chosen books. n The childminder continuously reflects on the provision she provides and her practice, identifying and addressing areas for improvement. n The well-qualified and 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 the benefits of children being more involved in the planning of activities. n The childminder does not always gather detailed information from parents about their

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This provision is good

child's prior learning, to enable her to sharply focus on children's precise learning needs from the outset. n The childminder does not consistently support younger children to build their confidence when exploring activities using all of their senses.

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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 enhance the range of opportunities for younger children to build their confidence when exploring using their senses.

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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 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 and interacted 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

Safeguarding is 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. The childminder reviews children's progress to swiftly address any possible gaps in their learning. Secure partnerships with other providers that children attend fully support children's continuity of learning. The childminder keeps parent's well informed of their child's progress. Parent's particularly appreciate how the childminder cares for their children 'as if they were her own'.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

The childminder's ongoing observations and assessment of children's learning support her to skilfully adapt her teaching. This provides children with a good level of challenge linked to their individual interests. For example, she introduces older children to the concept of time and supports younger children to extend their concentration skills. The childminder places a strong emphasis on extending children's communication and language skills. For instance, she introduces younger children to new words in context and older children use complex sentences in response to her enthusiastic questioning. Older children use small tools to develop good control and coordination of their hands. This helps them to continue to build the small muscles in their hands to perfect their early writing skills.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are good

The childminder is a positive role model. This motivates children to build friendly relationships with each other as they play harmoniously together. The childminder effectively supports children and their families who are experiencing changes in their life. Children help the childminder to plant and nurture a range of fruit and vegetables in her garden. They play an active role to help the childminder to prepare and cook their nutritious meals using this produce. The childminder encourages children to assess their own risks and develop good physical skills. Younger children persevere to independently manage steps and older children climb on large apparatus.

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Outcomes for children are good

Younger children feed themselves and select their chosen resources as they explore the inviting environment that the childminder creates. Older children solve mathematical problems and identify complex shapes, such as a semi-circle and trapezoid. They link letters to the sounds that they represent and write some recognisable letters. 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 EY330193 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 10083023 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 - 11 Total number of places 6 Number of children on roll 9 Date of previous inspection 23 May 2013

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Registers

The childminder registered in 2005 and lives in Baldock. She operates from 8am until 6.15pm, Tuesday to Friday and from 3pm until 6.15pm on Monday, all year round, except for bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder holds an appropriate qualification 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

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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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