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 Inadequate

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The provision is good

The qualified childminder works on a daily basis with an assistant. She has addressed previous weaknesses with a positive approach and understands the importance of meeting legal requirements. The childminder knows the children well and has a good understanding of their backgrounds and families. She encourages children to share their experiences of family events, such as the individual festivals they attend. This helps all children to develop an understanding of the wider world and has a positive impact on their learning.

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The provision is good

Children behave well. They demonstrate a good understanding of the childminder's boundaries and expectations. Children form close friendships. They go to the childminder and her assistant for spontaneous cuddles. This shows that children feel safe and supports their personal, social and emotional development.

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The provision is good

The childminder and her assistant support children to learn about their personal safety, and the safety of other children. For example, older children help to select resources for an activity. They discuss the size of the items they need to use to ensure younger children can join in safely. The childminder encourages children's curiosity. For example, children look at a range of objects linked to the autumn season and forthcoming Halloween celebration. They talk confidently about the things they find on their recent walk. This promotes children's growing vocabulary.

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need to do better?

n Children are happy and motivated. They show delight as the main lights dim and the colourful spotlights shine. Children move their bodies and the ribbons they hold, to the music and songs that play. They show good control and coordination in their movements. This promotes children's physical and emotional well-being. n The childminder and her assistant follow a programme of professional development, which includes attending required training. The childminder reviews her setting to identify strengths and areas for improvement. She monitors her assistant's practice on a regular basis. This supports and encourages her assistant's self-confidence. The childminder and her assistant work well together. They plan activities and share their responsibilities and workload effectively. This has a positive impact on their teaching. n Children demonstrate an enjoyment and an enthusiasm for books and stories. They listen attentively when the childminder or her assistant reads to them.

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need to do better?

However, sometimes, the childminder and her assistant do not recognise opportunities to ask questions that challenge the older, most-able children to help them to extend their thoughts further. n The childminder promotes children's understanding of mathematics during

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need to do better?

14 October 2019 activities and experiences. For example, children look at colours and shapes as they group and sort a range of different-sized blocks during their play. They repeat words spoken by the adults and this builds on their growing vocabulary. n The childminder and her assistant plan activities based on the areas of learning, children's interests and next steps in learning. This helps children to make good progress. However, although children enjoy the activities they take part in, they are not always given opportunities to take a more active role in the day-to-day planning of activities. n The childminder works well with parents to ensure that they share information to support children's care, learning and development. Daily feedback helps parents to know what their children are doing and supports them to be able to extend their learning at home. For example, the childminder shares forthcoming

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need to do better?

themes and topics with parents. This enables parents to contribute. For example, they help children to choose relevant items from home, which the childminder then shares with all children. n The childminder ensures that children are cared for in a safe and secure environment. She checks the areas used by children and ensures that the environment, resources and equipment are safe and suitable for children to use. This has a positive impact on children's safety. n Children are supported to maintain a healthy lifestyle. For example, they eat their meals together, promoting social discussions. In addition to this, the childminder plans daily outdoor activities for children to experience.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The childminder and her assistant have a good knowledge and understanding of how to protect the children in their care. The childminder regularly reviews child protection information to ensure that she and her assistant remain aware of changes to legislation. The childminder and her assistant are able to identify signs and symptoms of abuse, including wider safeguarding concerns. They know what to do if they have a concern about a child in their care and the procedure to follow if a referral is required. The childminder reviews her assistant's ongoing suitability and ensures that appropriate checks are carried out on adults working or living in her home. This has a positive impact on children's welfare.

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should:

n question children more skilfully to provide further challenge for the older, most- able children, and to extend children's thinking skills n extend opportunities for children to take a more active role in making choices about the range of activities available each day.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY347591 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 10108892 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 10 Total number of places 12 Number of children on roll 26 Date of previous inspection 14 May 2019

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2007 and lives in Ware, Hertfordshire. She operates on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday all year round, except for bank holidays and family holidays. Sessions are from 7.30am to 5.30pm on Monday and Friday, and from 7.30am to 6.30pm on Tuesday and Thursday. The childminder offers overnight care. She works on a daily basis with a full-time assistant. The childminder holds a childcare qualification at level 3. She provides funded early education for three- and four-year-old children.

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Inspection activities

n The inspector looked at evidence of the suitability of household members. She discussed how the childminder evaluates her practice and viewed a range of documentation, including public liability insurance and first-aid certificates. n The inspector talked with children, the assistant and the childminder at appropriate times throughout the inspection. n The inspector observed the assistant reading an adult-led story with the children. She talked with the childminder about how she monitors her assistant's practice. n The inspector observed the quality of teaching during activities indoors and assessed the impact this has on children's learning. She had a discussion with the childminder to understand how the early years provision is organised. n The inspector viewed written feedback from parents and took account of their views.

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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

14 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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