Thirkettle Tara

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 enjoy plenty of opportunities to play in the outdoor environment. They confidently explore. Younger children are reassured knowing that the childminder is close by if they need support. The childminder enables them to take age- appropriate risks safely. For instance, she assists younger children to climb the steps on a large slide and slide down carefully. Children are proud of their achievements.

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The provision is good

The childminder has developed a strong professional network. She communicates with them regularly. They share information and ideas, which helps the childminder to develop her practice. The childminder communicates with staff at other settings children attend, such as class teachers. This strong communication helps her to provide continuity of care for the children she looks after.

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The provision is good

Children feel safe and secure with the childminder. They quickly settle into her care. The childminder discusses children's initial starting points with parents before they start. She finds out about children's likes and preferences. This helps her to plan appropriate activities for them. Children respond to these activities positively. They remain focused as they learn. For example, children concentrate as they stick leaves on their pictures with glue.

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need to do better?

n Parents are very pleased with the service that the childminder offers. They feel that their children are happy to attend and are well cared for. The childminder keeps parents well informed about their children's progress. They jointly discuss any concerns that they have regarding children's development. The childminder shares her professional knowledge with parents. They discuss strategies to support children's individual needs. This helps them to work collaboratively to encourage children in their learning and development. n The childminder supports children's speech and language well. She provides them with a narrative as they explore. For instance, she talks to them about the leaves they collect at the park. The childminder uses relevant vocabulary as she describes the leaves. This helps children to develop the language they need to become effective communicators. n The childminder incorporates mathematical language into children's everyday

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need to do better?

routines. For instance, she counts the number of letters for the youngest children as they collect the post from the letterbox. The childminder counts each step in turn as she walks down the stairs with the children. This builds on children's understanding of the meaning of numbers. n The childminder supports younger children to extend their imaginative play experiences. She effectively demonstrates to children how objects can represent

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need to do better?

16 October 2019 other things. For instance, she rolls play dough into balls and pretends that they are different items of food. She talks to the children about what she is doing, which helps them to develop their understanding further. n Children behave well with the childminder. They follow her guidance and instructions without hesitation. They demonstrate that they feel comfortable in the childminder's home, for example, by interacting with visitors confidently. They are happy to have their needs met by the childminder and other adults around them. n Children develop their independence from a young age. The childminder encourages them to complete tasks for themselves. For instance, the childminder teaches the youngest children techniques so that they can begin to put their own coats on. Children are helpful and considerate towards others. For example, they hang up their coats and then take visitors' coats and hang them

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need to do better?

up too, without prompting. n The childminder provides children with activities that are appropriate to their individual age and stage of development. However, the childminder does not always support children effectively enough to understand how the different activities they complete link to their existing knowledge and previous experiences.

p.3

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

p.3

Safeguarding

The childminder has a strong understanding of the process to follow to raise concerns regarding children's welfare. She is aware of potential signs of abuse and neglect. She also has a firm understanding of wider safeguarding issues, such as identifying those children who may be at risk of exposure to extreme views and behaviours. The childminder completes relevant training and keeps up to date on current safeguarding issues. This helps her to ensure that children are safe in her care.

p.3

should:

n maximise opportunities for children to make links between their learning experiences and build on their existing knowledge even further.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY253336 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 10067198 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 14 Total number of places 6 Number of children on roll 11 Date of previous inspection 19 January 2016

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2003 and lives in Long Marston. She operates all year round from 7.30am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, except for bank holidays and family holidays.

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Inspection activities

n The inspector had a tour of the areas of the premises used for childminding. n The inspector observed the childminder's interactions with children. She considered the impact of these interactions on children's learning. n References from parents were read by the inspector and their views were taken into consideration. n The inspector reviewed a sample of the childminder's documentation, including suitability documents for the childminder and other members of the household. n The inspector spoke to the childminder and the 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

16 October 2019 16 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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