Childminder in Staffordshire

Overall effectiveness Good

The quality of education Good Behaviour and attitudes Good Personal development Good Leadership and management Good Overall effectiveness at previous inspection Not applicable

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The provision is good

Children behave well. They positively follow the instructions they are given. The childminder and her assistant have consistently high expectations for children's behaviour. Children play happily and are polite and kind towards one another. For example, they pass water bottles to their friends as they play.

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The provision is good

Children make strong progress in their mathematical development. The childminder appropriately uses a range of strategies to support children's various developmental levels. For instance, she shows children different objects so that they can firmly understand the meaning of the number one. The childminder challenges the most-able children appropriately. For example, she encourages them to find the matching numbers on interlocking blocks.

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The provision is good

Children remain highly focused at the activities they choose. The childminder recognises the benefits of following children's interests. She skilfully adapts her planned activities to follow children's lead as they play. For example, she encourages them to explore marks in different textures using the toy trains that they enjoy. She repeats this activity using different types of materials. For instance, children enjoy making marks and train tracks in play dough. They then reinforce this learning later on, for example, when they use paints to make train tracks.

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need to do better?

n Parents are very satisfied with the service that the childminder provides. They find her flexible and approachable, and feel well informed about their children's progress. The childminder adapts the ways she communicates with parents based on their family needs and preferences. n The childminder works well with her assistant. She supports her in her role appropriately. The childminder uses the skills and experience of her assistant effectively. For example, her assistant works with children while the childminder has one-to-one learning time with the other children. This helps her to meet children's individual learning needs effectively. n Children enjoy exciting and interesting opportunities to explore. For example, they watch with anticipation as the childminder blows up balloons. Children are eager to take part in challenges, such as trying to keep the balloons up in the air, which helps to enhance their hand-to-eye coordination. The childminder

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need to do better?

responds sensitively to children when a balloon bursts and they become upset. This reassures children and they go on to explore the different parts of the broken balloon with interest. n The childminder helps children to make links between their learning experiences. This includes opportunities to explore the wider community. For example, children complete jigsaw puzzles about roads. They recognise familiar signs. The

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need to do better?

7 October 2019 childminder reminds children of a recent trip to look at traffic lights and roadworks nearby. Children talk about what the different lights mean. This also supports children to understand the importance of road safety. n Children are happy and settle quickly into the childminder's care. They confidently explore their surroundings and know what resources are on offer. They develop preferences and freely choose the toys they would like to play with. However, the childminder does not encourage children to develop their independence to a higher level. She does not always support children to attempt to complete tasks for themselves. n The childminder positively builds on children's existing communication skills. This includes children who speak English as an additional language. The childminder asks children a range of questions to encourage them to share their knowledge with her. However, sometimes, the childminder does not support all children to

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need to do better?

share their knowledge and ideas effectively enough.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The childminder ensures that she and her assistant have a firm understanding of the possible signs of abuse and neglect. They are also aware of wider safeguarding issues, such as identifying children who may be at risk of exposure to extreme views and behaviour. The childminder ensures that she and her assistant are confident in the process to follow to raise any concerns to the relevant authorities. They complete relevant training to help keep their knowledge up to date.

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should:

n make the most of opportunities for children to develop their independence even further so that they become even more prepared for the next stage in their learning n devise even better support for all children to help them to share their ideas and knowledge and build their confidence further.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY545950 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 10104321 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 to 9 Total number of places 12 Number of children on roll 7 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2017 and lives in Watford. She operates Monday to Friday from 8am until 6pm, all year round, except for bank holidays and family holidays. She holds a relevant qualification at level 2. The childminder works with an assistant.

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Inspection activities

n The inspector had a tour of the areas of the premises used for childminding indoors and outdoors. n The inspector read references from parents and took their views into consideration. n The inspector and the childminder jointly observed the assistant's interactions with children. They discussed the impact of these interactions on children's development and learning. n The inspector reviewed documentation, including documents relating to the suitability of the household members. n The inspector spoke to the childminder, her assistant and the children at appropriate times throughout the inspection.

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Inspection activities

7 October 2019 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.

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Inspection activities

7 October 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.

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Inspection activities

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Inspection activities

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Inspection activities

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Inspection activities

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

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