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

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The provision is good

Children are very well prepared for their future learning. The childminder provides children with a range of learning opportunities in a safe environment. Children gain a strong understanding of mathematical concepts, such as counting. For example, they help the childminder to count during painting activities.

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The provision is good

The childminder builds on children's existing learning and encourages them to lead their own play. She observes carefully and skilfully uses questioning to encourage children to share their thoughts. Younger children begin to use their imagination. For instance, the childminder talks to them about the pictures in the story as she reads. She asks them who the people in the pictures could be. Children respond positively and suggest the pictures look like themselves and their friends.

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The provision is good

Children form strong bonds with the childminder, her co-childminder and other members of the household. They respectfully interact with adults and demonstrate a caring nature. Children benefit from these positive interactions and this helps them to build on their understanding of the needs of other people. For instance, they show concern for older people and remind them to sit down to rest. Children continue the interaction by kindly and happily showing them their favourite toys.

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need to do better?

n Children are keen to explore by themselves and develop an inquisitive nature. They behave well and demonstrate high levels of focus and attention. The childminder uses effective strategies to support them. For example, she allows children time to explore activities for themselves before asking them questions to extend their learning further. n Parents are very happy with the service that the childminder provides. They speak positively about the information they receive regarding their children's learning. Parents say they feel supported to build on their children's knowledge at home. The childminder also offers advice about strategies to promote positive behaviour. This provides children with a level of consistency between home and the childminder's setting. n The childminder uses her previous experience and personal areas of interest to enhance the learning environment. For instance, she regularly updates the home

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need to do better?

corner to support children's individual experiences. This supports children effectively to make connections in their learning. For example, they talk about their holiday as they pretend to serve ice cream to the childminder. n The childminder plans a curriculum that is meaningful for the children she cares for. She adapts her planning skilfully to allow children to investigate what interests them, such as different paint. They are initially unsure about the paint when they get it on their fingers. The childminder gently reassures them and

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need to do better?

4 October 2019 encourages them to explore the paint further by painting her hand. They enjoy covering her hands in paint and follow her instructions well. They keenly examine the marks left by the paint on the paper. n Children are well supported to complete age-appropriate tasks independently. They feed themselves competently at mealtimes. Children demonstrate their ability to dress themselves. They put their own wellington boots on before they go into the garden. Children help to serve food at snack time. For example, they put fruit into bowls and pour water into cups for each other. n The childminder develops children's understanding about the world around them. She encourages them to collect items, such as sticks on a woodland walk, to incorporate into their learning indoors. Children eagerly show these to visitors. They talk confidently about the differences of the sticks and compare the lengths.

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need to do better?

n The childminder is reflective about the service that she offers. She supports the needs of individual children well, including those needs that are identified by other professionals, such as health visitors. The childminder has begun to form working relationships with other local childcare providers. However, she does not make the most of this opportunity to share good ideas and develop a deeper knowledge of early years practice that help her to enrich children's experiences.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The experienced childminder is confident in identifying the possible signs of abuse. She prioritises children's welfare and well-being. The childminder is confident about the process to follow to refer any concerns she may have about a child to the relevant authorities. She ensures that her safeguarding knowledge is kept up to date and completes regular update courses. The childminder is knowledgeable in wider safeguarding issues, such as how to protect children who may be at risk from extreme views or behaviour.

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should:

n develop professional networking opportunities to share best practice and professional knowledge that helps to enhance the quality of the provision to the highest level.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY355993 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 10073920 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 to 8 Total number of places 6 Number of children on roll 1 Date of previous inspection 11 January 2016

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2007 and lives in Radlett, Hertfordshire. She works alongside a co-childminder. She operates all year round, Monday to Friday from 8am to 6pm, except for bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder holds a relevant early years qualification at level 3.

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Inspection activities

n The inspector had a tour of the areas of the premises used for childminding. n The inspector held discussions with parents and looked at written references. She took their views into consideration. n The inspector observed the childminder's interactions with children. She held discussions with the childminder regarding the impact of her teaching on children's learning and progress. n The inspector held discussions with the childminder, her co-childminder and children at appropriate times throughout the inspection.

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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

4 October 2019 4 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

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