Childminder in Hertfordshire

Inspection date 18 March 2019 Previous inspection date 26 November 2014

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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 childminder's relationships with the parents are very strong. She keeps them well informed about their children's progress. Parents are very happy with the service that the childminder provides and feel that their children are safe and well cared for. n Children demonstrate high levels of confidence with the childminder. They are settled and focus well at the activities they choose. They confidently speak to visitors about what they are doing and interact positively with the childminder and other children. For instance, they take turns to kick the ball backwards and forwards with other children and adults outside. n The childminder knows the children she cares for well. She gathers information from parents when children first start. This helps her to accurately identify children's initial starting points. She observes and monitors children's progress carefully. For instance, she uses the information she gathers from her regular observations to identify any

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This provision is good

gaps in the children's learning and set them appropriate next steps. n Children are very well prepared for the next stage in their learning. They make good progress from their initial starting points. They become confident and independent learners and gain the necessary skills to move on to school. n Children follow the childminder's instructions well. However, the childminder does not consistently remind children of the rules that are in place and explain to them why it is important that they follow the rules. n The childminder does not always encourage the most able children to share their ideas and extend their learning further effectively.

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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 support children to understand the rules that are in place and why it is important that they follow them n support the most able children to extend and share their ideas even further so that they can make even more rapid progress in their learning.

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What the setting needs to do to improve further

Inspection activities n The inspector had a tour of all areas of the premises used for childminding. n The inspector read letters from parents and took their views into consideration. n The inspector spoke to the childminder and children at appropriate times throughout the inspection. n The inspector observed the quality of the childminder's teaching. She considered the impact of this on children's learning. n The inspector looked at a range of relevant documentation, including the childminder's first-aid qualification and policies.

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Effectiveness of leadership and management is good

Safeguarding is effective. The childminder is aware of how to report any concerns she may have regarding children's welfare. She assesses potential risks carefully to keep the children safe. The childminder has developed meaningful professional relationships with staff at other settings children attend. This helps her to support children's continued learning and well-being. She reflects on how she can further improve the quality of her provision. For example, she considers ways that she can enhance the outdoor learning environment. The childminder takes pride in developing her professional knowledge even further. She attends training courses to keep her knowledge and skills up to date and to help her reflect on what she offers for children.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

The childminder has a strong awareness of children's abilities. She assesses their progress well. She provides motivating activities that are based on the children's interests. She skilfully differentiates activities so that they are suitable for children's individual developmental stages. The childminder supports younger children to build on their existing vocabulary well. Children make connections between the toys they play with and their real-life experiences. For example, they talk about the fruit they ate at snack time when they later play with pretend fruit. The childminder encourages children to learn about different cultures. For instance, she shares words in different languages with the children while they explore the natural environment outside.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are good

The childminder provides children with an enjoyable and stimulating environment. Children eat a healthy range of food. For instance, they have strawberries and blueberries for snack. The childminder talks to them about why it is important for them to eat a variety of healthy food. Children proudly talk to visitors about the skills they have gained with the childminder. Children settle very quickly when they start with the childminder. She provides them with reassurance. They confidently explore their surroundings, knowing that she is nearby if they need help. Children interact very positively with each other. For instance, older children kindly share their toys with the youngest children.

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Outcomes for children are good

Children choose from a range of toys on offer. They keenly complete activities which help them to develop their hand-to-eye coordination. They fill and empty containers with sand. This helps them to develop their mathematical understanding further. Older children demonstrate their strong counting skills. They accurately identify numbers on toys and say the numbers in order as they count. Children use their imagination well as they play. They pretend that their play dough models represent their favourite foods. Younger children practise using tools for a purpose. They use rolling pins and cutters to shape their play dough. This supports them to develop strong muscles in their hands in preparation for their early writing. Babies explore with curiosity and watch the older children with interest.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY221379 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 10069409 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 13 Date of previous inspection 26 November 2014

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Registers

The childminder registered in 2001. The childminder's provision is open all year round, Monday to Friday from 7.30am to 6pm, except for family holidays and bank holidays. The childminder holds a relevant early years qualification at level 3. The childminder 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

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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