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 Met

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The provision is good

Children experience a smooth move into the childminder's care and show that they feel safe and secure with her. They swiftly settle into the daily routines, often reluctant to leave when it is time to go home. Children develop an affectionate bond with the childminder. Young children cuddle up closely to her when they are in need of a rest and drift off to sleep with ease.

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The provision is good

Children show confidence as they explore the well-organised environment and make choices in their play. Resources are carefully selected by the childminder to take account of children's interests and promote their focus on learning. This helps to enhance children's levels of enjoyment and concentration. For example, they eagerly help the childminder to care for the baby dolls as they dress and feed them together.

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The provision is good

Children follow instructions well and revel in praise for their achievements. They are clear on the childminder's expectations for behaviour. Older children are aware they must set a good example for the younger children. They know they are to complete homework tasks before they are allocated time to play on their electronic games. Young children learn to share the resources as they play.

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need to do better?

n The childminder uses assessment well to monitor children's development and inform her teaching. She evaluates the activities that she provides to ensure children make continually good levels of progress. Children are well prepared for future learning. n Children take part in a range of outings to help broaden their experiences. For example, they learn that information can be retrieved from books on regular visits to the library. Children have opportunities to practise their larger physical skills through trips to the local park and access to a range of play apparatus. n Children are supported very well to develop their vocabulary and use of language. They show interest in books and have favourite songs they like to sing spontaneously in their play. Children listen intently to the childminder as she provides them with a running commentary during activities. She ensures they hear the full and correct pronunciation of words and that they are always given

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need to do better?

time to finish their sentences. n The qualified childminder has acquired many teaching techniques over the years and skilfully adapts her approach to help children to develop new skills. She reviews the training opportunities available to her and selects these well to continually enhance her practice. For example, she recently completed a course on how to involve fathers more in children's learning and feels this has improved her outlook and understanding of the various needs each family may have.

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need to do better?

26 November 2019 n The childminder has carefully considered the amount of paperwork she keeps in relation to her support for children's learning. She ensures that this is at a manageable level and assists her effectively with her day-to-day practice. n The childminder complements the food children bring from home with a range of fruit and savoury snacks. She closely monitors children's daily intake of any foods that contain fat, salt or sugar, to help them receive a balanced diet. n The childminder works closely with parents, all of whom are very happy with the care that she provides. She gathers detailed information from them when children first start, to give her an understanding of their early experiences and to inform her planning. The childminder ensures she makes time each day to have discussions with parents to support the two-way flow of information. n The childminder does not make the most of available opportunities to teach

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need to do better?

children about the importance of safe hygiene practices so that they become even more independent in managing their own personal needs. n The childminder shares information each day with key staff at the other settings children attend. However, this primarily focuses on children's care needs, such as what they have eaten and who will be collecting them. There is scope to promote a more consistent approach to support children's learning.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The childminder has a secure understanding of child protection issues and uses a range of ways to ensure her knowledge remains up to date. For example, she carries out regular online research to source information about the wider aspects of safeguarding. The childminder is aware of the signs that may indicate a child is at risk of harm and knows the correct steps to follow if she has any concerns. She recognises when it is appropriate to share this information with parents or when an immediate referral needs to be made.

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should:

n make better use of opportunities to develop children's awareness of healthy practices, in order for them to become increasingly independent in managing their own personal needs n strengthen partnership working with other settings that children attend, to promote a more consistent approach to support their learning and development.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 135791 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 10127050 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 8 Total number of places 6 Number of children on roll 4 Date of previous inspection 2 June 2016

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 1994 and lives in Broxbourne. She operates all year round from 8am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, except for bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder holds an appropriate qualification at level 3. She provides funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children.

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Inspection activities

n The inspector observed the quality of teaching during activities indoors and assessed the impact this has on children's learning. n The inspector discussed the curriculum with the childminder and completed a joint evaluation of the activities that she provides for children. n The inspector held a number of discussions with the childminder. She looked at relevant documentation and evidence of the suitability of persons living in the household. n The inspector spoke to children during the inspection. n The inspector took account of the views of parents through written feedback provided.

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Inspection activities

26 November 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

26 November 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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