Childminder in Hertfordshire

Inspection date 14 March 2019 Previous inspection date 8 September 2015

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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 qualified childminder puts a great deal of thought and effort into the activities she provides for children. This helps to ignite their levels of interest and curiosity. For example, children design kites to fly in windy weather. They are highly amused as they learn about static electricity and use a balloon to make their hair stand on end. n Children become skilful communicators in this language-rich environment. For example, they use a wide range of describing words, such as 'squidgy' and 'crunchy' as they explore the texture of foam mixed with rice. The childminder engages children in regular discussion. They recall past activities and she welcomes children's ideas for what they would like to do next. n Children develop a secure attachment to the childminder and refer to her as their best friend. They seek comfort as they need and listen carefully as she explains how other children may be feeling.

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This provision is good

n The childminder regularly meets with a small group of other childminders. She uses these opportunities well to help reflect on her provision and broaden children's experiences. For example, they share ideas for good practice and children have opportunities to explore how relationships work as they spend time with other children of different ages. n Partnerships with parents are well established. The childminder uses a range of ways to support the two-way process of information exchange. For instance, she makes time for daily discussions to share detail on children's progress and find out about their experiences at home. n The childminder's programme of professional development is not sharply focused on driving the quality of her teaching to the highest standard. n The childminder does not work as well as she could with staff at other settings that the children also attend, to better promote consistency in their learning and 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 establish a more focused programme of professional development that helps to raise the quality of teaching to a higher level n strengthen partnership working with staff at other settings that the children also attend, to support a more consistent approach to meeting children's needs.

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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 to children during the inspection. n The inspector took account of the views of parents through written feedback provided.

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Effectiveness of leadership and management is good

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective. The childminder regularly refreshes her knowledge of child protection issues and keeps up to date with the procedures of her local authority. She knows the signs and symptoms that may indicate a child is at risk of harm and the correct action to take to promote children's welfare. The childminder welcomes and considers parents' views and requests. For example, she now provides more flexible hours of childcare to accommodate their working requirements. The childminder draws on her creativity and enthusiasm to ensure children continually benefit from a stimulating and well-resourced environment.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

The childminder completes regular and precise assessments of children. She has a clear knowledge of the skills they need to develop next. The childminder notes children's current interests. She plans activities based on these and skilfully incorporates her learning intentions for each child. This helps children to become deeply involved in their learning for a sustained period of time. Children have immense fun as they engage in role play with the childminder. They welcome her ideas and draw on their acting skills and imagination to respond to her thought-provoking questions. For example, children take on the role of a patient as they visit the childminder's doctor's surgery or a customer as they choose the style of shoes they would like to buy from her shoe shop.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are good

The childminder provides children with explanations to improve their learning. For instance, children discover that they each have a brain to control their body and learn how their lungs fill with air as they breathe. These activities support children to develop an understanding of how the human body works. The childminder acts as a good role model and makes her expectations for behaviour clear. For example, children learn how to make guests feel welcome, use their manners unprompted and that sometimes they may need to wait to have a turn with their favourite toy. The childminder provides children with a range of balanced and nutritious food. She teaches children good practice, such as the need to wash their hands, before they eat, to remove any germs. These are some of the ways the childminder helps to promote children's good health.

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Outcomes for children are good

Children make good progress from their starting point assessment and are extremely keen to learn. They demonstrate this through the inquisitive questions they ask and their eagerness to hear the childminder's response. Children are confident to speak about their ideas and opinions. They show a wide range of independence skills. For example, children use tools with increasing control to peel and chop vegetables as they prepare the soup for lunch. They are determined to dress themselves and are reluctant to accept help with any buttons or fixings. Children are well prepared for the move on to school.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY397823 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 10063609 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 2 - 6 Total number of places 6 Number of children on roll 5 Date of previous inspection 8 September 2015

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Registers

The childminder registered in 2009. She operates all year round from 7.15am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, except for bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder holds an appropriate qualification at level 3 and provides funded early education for three- and four-year-old children.

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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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