Childminder in Hertfordshire

Inspection date 7 March 2019 Previous inspection date 2 September 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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This provision is outstanding

n The childminder is highly ambitious and is continually looking for ways to further improve her already outstanding practice. She understands the needs and learning styles of each child. With this in mind, the childminder plans her environment superbly so that children have space to be active, play quietly or be involved in deep exploration. n The childminder monitors children's achievements very closely to help her build on their strengths and address any gaps or delays in their development. Outcomes for children are excellent. n The childminder builds meaningful partnerships with parents. She shares information about activities children have enjoyed and gives ideas to parents so they can extend their child's learning in the home. Parents comment that children have 'wonderful adventures outdoors' and they develop into self-assured and confident individuals. n The childminder builds excellent links with other early years settings that children

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This provision is outstanding

attend. She is highly proactive in sharing information about children's learning. n The childminder occasionally works with an assistant. Even though this is not often, she ensures her assistant is knowledgeable about how to keep children safe and well cared for. For example, the assistant holds a first-aid qualification and the childminder keeps her up to date on safeguarding issues and the needs of each child she cares for. n The childminder seeks the views of others to help her evaluate her practice. For example, she discusses her ideas with her assistant and also with other outstanding childminders; this helps her to gain constructive feedback which she feels adds great value to her ongoing professional development.

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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 precisely target the programme of professional development, to help maintain excellent outcomes for children.

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What the setting needs to do to improve further

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

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Effectiveness of leadership and management is outstanding

The childminder is extremely passionate about her role and is constantly searching for ways to strengthen her knowledge. She undertakes her own research, such as through reading journals and accessing online sites, focusing on teaching in the early years. The childminder attends training that is targeted to meet the needs of children. She identifies this as being key to maintaining outstanding levels of progress for the children in her care. Safeguarding is effective. The childminder has an expert knowledge of child protection issues and knows exactly what to do should she have any concerns about children's welfare. She is also passionate about teaching children how to keep themselves safe by being challenged in their physical activity.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is outstanding

The childminder is an excellent teacher and makes all parts of the day a learning experience. The environment is rich in natural materials that entice children to be creative and imaginative in their play. The childminder is highly mindful of giving children time to problem solve. For example, she watches them work out how to fit toys through cardboard tubes. She encourages children to think and persevere with their tasks as she provides a running commentary. Children are delighted when they independently succeed and look for other resources to experiment with. Processes of assessment are robust and the childminder uses these to expertly track children's progress. She uses this information to skilfully plan interesting and challenging experiences that superbly contribute to the outstanding progress children make.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are outstanding

Children settle quickly and develop secure emotional attachments with the childminder and flourish under her care. Children demonstrate they feel safe and secure in her presence and their individual needs are exceptionally well met. The childminder makes wonderful use of woodland adjacent to her home. Children have marvellous experiences, such as building dens, as they experience and learn to appreciate nature's changing seasons. The childminder expertly supports children to learn about each other and other people in the world. Her research on how young children learn has led her to use pictures of human faces. Toddlers engage extremely well in looking at faces from around the world as the childminder talks to them about different people and families.

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Outcomes for children are outstanding

Children are continually engaged in high-quality learning and are extremely motivated individuals. They make excellent progress and are extremely well prepared for future learning, including the move to school. Young children develop strong early literacy skills, for example, while they explore how to make marks with paint. Parents of older children talk about how impressed they are that their children can write sentences before they start school. Children develop wonderful creativity as they explore how they can use the vast array of natural resources in numerous ways.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY288361 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 10063563 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 - 7 Total number of places 6 Number of children on roll 7 Date of previous inspection 2 September 2015

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Registers

The childminder registered in 2004 and lives in Stevenage. She operates all year round from 7am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, except for bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder holds an appropriate early years qualification at level 3. She occasionally works with an assistant.

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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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