Childminder in Hertfordshire

Inspection date 23 April 2019 Previous inspection date 7 October 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 Outstanding 1 Outcomes for children Good 2

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This provision is good

n The childminder is aware when children need extra support with their learning. For example, when she notices emerging gaps in children's speech development, she is quick to discuss this with their parents. In addition, the childminder undertakes further training and research to help her find the best ways to support children's communication and language skills. n Children have excellent opportunities to learn about the importance of healthy lifestyles. For example, they are highly active outdoors, riding on scooters and climbing up slides. The childminder encourages them to taste and smell the appealing variety of herbs and vegetables they are growing. n The childminder helps children to learn about each other's cultures and languages. One way she does this is by displaying text in the languages that children speak at home. n Children have high levels of independence, which are nurtured through the childminder

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This provision is good

having high expectations of them being able to do things for themselves. From a young age, children enthusiastically engage in food preparation and spontaneously use brushes and dustpans to sweep up materials they have spilled on the floor. n The childminder establishes excellent partnerships with parents and keeps them very well involved and informed on children's learning. Parents speak highly positively of the childminder, stating their children are very happy and settled in her care. n The childminder does not consistently review and precisely evaluate her practice, in order to set clear actions on how to develop her service to the highest possible level through an effective programme of 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 find more effective ways to review and evaluate practice, in order to set clear actions for continuous development through an effective programme of ongoing professional development.

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What the setting needs to do to improve further

n The inspector looked at the areas of the premises used for childminding and observed the interactions between the childminder and children during play and routine activities. n The inspector discussed the progress children are making with the childminder and looked at children's development and assessment records. n The inspector observed the childminder teaching children during a planned activity and discussed the learning that was taking place. n The inspector reviewed a range of documents, including the safeguarding policy and suitability checks of household members. n The inspector took into account the written views of parents. She discussed the childminder's reflections on her practice.

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Effectiveness of leadership and management is good

Safeguarding is effective. The childminder has a good understanding of how to recognise signs that children may be at risk of harm. She undertakes training and research on a wide range of safeguarding topics and knows what agencies to contact should she need to take further advice. The childminder takes children on many outings and she undertakes thorough risk assessments to help keep children safe. The childminder carries detailed information about her role as a childminder in case anything should happen to her while she is out with children. The childminder tracks and shares information about children's progress with parents and key staff at other settings children attend. This helps to promote continuity in children's learning and development.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

The childminder understands children's interests and where they like to learn, such as outside. She provides a wealth of opportunities for learning in her garden. The childminder teaches children mathematics as she talks to them about different sizes. Children quickly learn to sequence three different sized bowls as they make porridge. The childminder helps them to learn that print carries meaning. For example, she shows them the instructions for making porridge on the packet and reads it out. The childminder observes children's development through planned activities and play and this helps her to identify what they need to learn next. She sets clear objectives for each child that she skilfully implements into her teaching.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are outstanding

The childminder knows children and their families extremely well. She offers excellent settling-in procedures and children benefit greatly from their continuity of care with the childminder over many years. Children flourish and develop strong bonds and secure emotional attachments with her. The childminder is highly effective in managing children's behaviour in excellent ways. For example, she understands that young children play alongside one another and often want the same resources. With this in mind, she provides a variety of duplicate toys enabling younger children to play harmoniously together. This results in excellent and sustained play and learning. The childminder diligently teaches children how to keep themselves safe. Children show their excellent understanding, for example, as they immediately start to blow when food is brought out of the microwave.

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Outcomes for children are good

Children are making good progress. They show a keen interest in books, and enjoy listening to stories and looking at reference books independently. Children learn to recognise their name in print as they self-register each day. These activities help to promote children's literacy development in readiness for school. Children learn about different textures and how these can change with heat, for example, as they explore raw and later cooked porridge oats. Children are independent in their play and learning and know when they need to ask the childminder for help.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY295653 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 10069416 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 - 8 Total number of places 6 Number of children on roll 10 Date of previous inspection 7 October 2014

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Registers

The childminder registered in 2004 and is located in St Albans. She operates all year round from 7.30am 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

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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