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 Outstanding

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The provision is good

Children develop a love of books and storytelling. They listen attentively to the childminder as she reads to them and have fun following the story with puppet characters. Children clearly show they feel emotionally secure and have strong attachments to the childminder, who is kind, patient and caring. They confidently go to her for support and enjoy her involvement in their activities. The childminder is mindful of the needs of younger children. She makes sure their drinks are readily available and follows their home routines for meals and rest.

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The provision is good

Children have many enjoyable opportunities to learn about their local community. They visit a variety of groups, where they learn to socialise with other children and make friends. The childminder takes children to parks and playgrounds where they can enhance their physical skills on large play equipment. Young children develop good physical hand-to-eye coordination as they concentrate hard on putting small pegs into holes. Children are out in all weathers, which develops their resilience. The childminder talks to them about the different conditions they experience, such as high winds and storms, to enhance their understanding of how the world works.

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need to do better?

n The childminder supports children's growing communication skills extremely well. She talks to children as they play and encourages them to voice their ideas and opinions. Older children converse with confidence, demonstrating their wide knowledge. The childminder introduces younger children to new words and accurately repeats the words they already know, to increase their vocabulary and build their confidence. n Children use simple mathematics in their play. Older children use interlocking blocks to make shapes and adeptly sort them into colour and size. They count the blocks confidently and correctly. Younger children join in with counting songs and listen to stories that include numbers, such as 'Three little pigs'. The childminder encourages children to use their problem solving skills as, for example, they explore the best ways to blow cotton wool balls across the floor. n Overall, children behave well and have good relationships with one another. The

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need to do better?

childminder teaches children to share their toys and encourages them to take turns. When children have disagreements, or overstep their boundaries, she intervenes and reminds them to play fairly. However, she does not always give children clear messages that help them to manage their feelings and understand how their behaviour affects others. n Children spend good periods of time in independent play and enjoy selecting what they want to play with from the plentiful and well-organised resources. However, the childminder does not always make sure children are fully engaged and challenged by activities she has planned. She is not always quick to notice

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need to do better?

10 February 2020 when children's levels of engagement and interest wane. She continues with activities, rather than swiftly adapting her teaching. This results in children becoming distracted, which affects the quality and depth of their learning. Nonetheless, children make good progress and develop the skills they need to support their future learning, such as at school. n The childminder works closely with parents to gather detailed information about their children's individual needs and interests when they join her setting. Parents receive regular ongoing updates to give them an all-round understanding of their children's achievements. Parents are highly complimentary about the childminder. They say they have complete trust in her, and that their children flourish in her care. n The childminder manages her provision well. She attends all mandatory training and considers what she can learn to improve her teaching. For example, she has

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need to do better?

been finding out why some children learn best through repetitive play, to enhance how she plans the curriculum. The childminder carries out regular assessments to show what children can do, and what they need to do next. She has good partnerships with other local settings children attend, so she can promote continuity in children's care and learning.

p.3

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

p.3

Safeguarding

The childminder is confident in her ability to identify any signs that might suggest a child's welfare is compromised. She attends safeguarding training and has a good awareness of the wider aspects, such as her responsibility to protect children from extreme ideas. The childminder carefully considers the safety of the children in her care. She ensures children play in a clean, safe and welcoming home. She teaches children how to keep themselves safe on outings by teaching them road safety rules.

p.3

should:

n consider even more effective ways to help children to manage their own behaviour, and gain an understanding of how their actions may affect others n review how activities can be swiftly adapted to provide children with good levels of challenge, to deepen their learning and extend their concentration.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY303357 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 10127132 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 4 Total number of places 6 Number of children on roll 3 Date of previous inspection 30 March 2015

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2005 and lives in Bishops Stortford, Hertfordshire. The childminder provides funded early education places for two-, three- and four- year-old children. The childminder operates all year round from 8am to 6pm, Monday to Thursday, except for bank holidays and family holidays.

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Inspection activities

n The inspector observed children and their interactions with other children. She evaluated activities with the childminder and discussed how she plans for children's learning. n The inspector looked at areas of the childminder's home used by children. She spoke to the childminder and children during the inspection. n The inspector took account of parents' views through written feedback. n The inspector looked at essential documents, such as evidence of the suitability of family members, registers of attendance and children's records.

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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.

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Inspection activities

10 February 2020 10 February 2020 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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