Childminder in Hertfordshire

Inspection date 1 May 2019 Previous inspection date 21 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 Good 2 Outcomes for children Good 2

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This provision is good

n Children have a strong bond with the childminder. They show that they feel secure and very happy in the childminder's care. For example, they sing to themselves as they play and give the childminder regular cuddles. n The experienced childminder focuses well on her role. She regularly completes training and liaises with other childminders to continue to enhance her skills. Recent training has provided her with a deep understanding of how to meet children's individual health needs. n The childminder plans a good variety of interesting experiences that help children to make good progress. For example, she takes children to visit historic country houses and their extensive grounds. Children explore the natural environment, and observe deer and sheep. They also learn about various occupations as they watch film crews set up their cameras and recording equipment. n The childminder continuously evaluates her practice, identifying and addressing areas

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This provision is good

for improvement. n The childminder does not consistently support children to build their confidence when exploring activities using all of their senses. n Information about how parents can support children's learning at home is not fully effective in helping parents to extend children's learning even further.

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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 enhance the range of opportunities for children to build on their confidence when exploring using their senses n provide more-precise ideas for parents to extend children's individual learning at home.

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What the setting needs to do to improve further

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 interacted and spoke to 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

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective. The childminder has a secure understanding of possible signs that could indicate that children are at risk of harm. She knows to take swift action to protect children's welfare in the event of a child protection concern. Effective measures are in place to ensure that children are only collected by authorised individuals. The childminder carefully reviews children's progress to swiftly identify and address any gaps in their learning. She keeps parents informed of children's progress. Parents comment that their children 'love' being in the childminder's care. Secure partnerships with other providers that children attend fully support children's continuity of learning.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

The childminder's detailed observations and assessments of children's learning help to inform her flexible planning. Her fun personality helps children to be inquisitive and motivated to learn within a calm and welcoming environment. For example, children are fascinated to discover how fast a toy train travels down a bridge on the train track. They concentrate and work out, through trial and error, how to rotate the magnetic toy train carriages so that they join together. The childminder places a strong emphasis on extending children's language skills. For instance, she introduces them to new words in the context of their play, such as 'squash' and 'crumble'. This helps children to make links between words and their actions as they carefully crush dry cereal with a toy hammer.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are good

The childminder is a positive role model. For instance, she consistently encourages children to use good manners. Children have friendly and respectful relationships with each other. The childminder helps children to develop a strong sense of responsibility and respect for the environment. For example, she encourages children to tidy away the toys they have finished playing with before moving on to another activity. The childminder's genuine praise for children's achievements helps them to have a very good level of self-confidence. Children have very good opportunities that challenge them to build strength and stamina, for example they use large apparatus at local parks.

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Outcomes for children are good

Children are independent individuals. They choose from a wide range of good-quality resources and manage their own personal needs well in relation to their age. Children express a strong interest in books. They listen attentively as the childminder reads them their favourite stories. Children identify some numbers and use some mathematical language, such as 'full' and 'empty'. They gain the necessary skills needed to help prepare them for their future learning at school.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 129122 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 10069401 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 6 Date of previous inspection 21 October 2014

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Registers

The childminder registered in 1999 and lives in Hatfield, Hertfordshire. She operates from 8am until 6pm on Monday to Friday, all year round, 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

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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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