Childminder in Hertfordshire

Overall effectiveness Good

The quality of education Good Behaviour and attitudes Good Personal development Good Leadership and management Good Overall effectiveness at previous inspection Good

p.1

The provision is good

Children demonstrate they feel secure and content in the childminder's care. Babies' smiles and body language show they are happy and excited to explore. The childminder helps children to understand how to develop healthy lifestyles. For example, she provides them with many opportunities for physical activity outside. Children enjoy playing in the garden and benefit from daily walks to and from nursery and school.

p.2

The provision is good

The childminder has secure procedures in place to help her to keep children safe. For example, she regularly checks her environment for hazards. She takes extra precautions when she is caring for babies or children with additional needs. The childminder plans activities based on children's interests, focusing on what she identifies children need to learn next. This contributes to the good progress all children are making.

p.2

The provision is good

The childminder takes time to reflect on her practice and identify areas to improve. She seeks the views of parents and reflects on their ideas. Children also have opportunities to express their views. For example, they help to establish rules and values, and readily remind each other of the importance of these. This results in children behaving well and showing respect for each other.

p.2

need to do better?

n The childminder teaches children well through her interactions with them. For example, she responds positively to babies as they babble. The childminder recognises the sounds babies make as them talking to her and enters into conversation with them. This helps babies to learn how to use their voice to communicate with others. n Children enjoy looking for numbers in the environment. The childminder uses walks outside to teach them mathematics. For example, children look at house numbers and the childminder helps them to think of what number comes next. n Children enjoy looking at family books. Babies show great excitement as they see pictures of their parents. Older children use the books to show others who is in their family and what they do at home. The childminder feels this helps children to learn how to respect their similarities and differences. n The childminder has good ideas of how to introduce children to mark making to

p.2

need to do better?

promote their early writing skills. For example, she makes paint boards and covers them with plastic film. Children enjoy using their hands and other parts of their body to move the paint around to make patterns. n Parents speak highly positively about the childminder. They state she creates a home-from-home atmosphere where children feel valued and cared for. Parents say the childminder gives them regular updates about how children are learning

p.2

need to do better?

25 September 2019 and developing. This helps them to support children's learning at home. n The childminder builds good partnerships with other professionals and settings children attend. She is vigilant in ensuring she has the best possible knowledge of any medical conditions children have. These strong partnerships help to ensure a consistent approach to managing children's needs. Parents say this gives them peace of mind that their children are safe and well. n Children are learning how to use battery-operated toys. For example, they know where to find buttons to press to make music play. Babies know how to position themselves so they can more easily reach the toys they want to use, such as moving from sitting to laying down. n The childminder knows children well and tunes into their needs and emotions effectively. She recognises the signs that babies are tired and provides them with secure routines. This results in them feeling calm and settling to sleep

p.2

need to do better?

peacefully. n The childminder considers her ongoing professional development needs generally well. She meets with other childminders and benefits from their peer support. However, the childminder recognises that her own skills in using computers are weak. This results in her not being confident in teaching children how to use more advanced technological equipment.

p.3

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

p.3

Safeguarding

The childminder has a good understanding of how to recognise and respond to any signs that a child may be at risk of harm. She is aware of how to pass on concerns to the relevant agencies in her local area. The childminder undertakes regular training to help her to keep her safeguarding knowledge relevant and up to date. She has secure procedures in place to keep children safe. For example, she helps them to understand why they need to keep the floor clear of tripping hazards.

p.3

should:

n develop further skills in using technology, in order to teach children more effectively how to use more advanced technological toys and equipment.

p.3

Setting details

Unique reference number EY371517 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 10074095 Type of provision Childminder

p.4

Registers

Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register Day care type Childminder Age range of children 0 to 10 Total number of places 6 Number of children on roll 8 Date of previous inspection 13 July 2016

p.4

Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2008 and lives in Bushey, Hertfordshire. She operates all year round from 7.30am to 5pm, Monday to Friday, except for bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder holds an appropriate qualification at level 3.

p.4

Inspection activities

n The inspector looked at the areas of the childminder's home that she uses with children and discussed how she operates her practice. n The inspector observed the childminder joining in activities with children and discussed the learning that was taking place with her. n A sample of policies and procedures was looked at by the inspector, which included documents relating to safeguarding and complaints. n The inspector discussed the needs of individual children with the childminder and talked with her about the progress they are making. n The inspector took account of the written views of parents and discussed the childminder's reflections of her practice with her.

p.4

Inspection activities

We carried out this inspection 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.

p.4

Inspection activities

25 September 2019 25 September 2019 regulates and inspects to 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.

p.4

Inspection activities

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 .

p.6

Inspection activities

You may reuse this information (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. To view this licence, visit www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/ , write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk

p.6

Inspection activities

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more information and updates: http://eepurl.com/iTrDn .

p.6

Inspection activities

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/ofsted

p.6