Childminder 149272

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 have a very positive attitude to learning and a strong urge to explore the rich and exciting range of activities. This motivates them to build on their individual interests and what they already know. They have a wonderful time helping the childminder to make dough. Children express their curiosity and fascination when exploring how the dry flour and salt changes when they add water. They experiment with making different patterns in the dough with their fingers and the palm of their hand. Children handle small tools such as scissors and rolling pins safely. This helps to develop the small muscles in their hands in preparation for writing.

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The provision is good

Children are confident and caring individuals. They invite visitors to join them in their play and present them with some of their craft creations. Children positively benefit from the childminder's kind, caring and attentive nature. They form strong bonds and an attachment with her. Children welcome her affection and smile with delight as they receive a cuddle. This helps children to feel safe and secure.

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need to do better?

n Children's physical health is supported well. They enjoy nutritious meals and manage their personal care appropriately for their age. For example, children brush their teeth after they have eaten and manage their outer clothing with minimal support. Children have many opportunities to improve their physical skills, including daily access to outdoors. Children learn to assess their own risks and develop an increased awareness of their own personal space. For instance, they crawl backwards and forwards through a tunnel and avoid bumping into each other. n The childminder effectively uses many opportunities to promote children's mathematical skills. This means that children confidently identify numbers and shapes and use mathematical language to describe the different sizes and shapes of the toys they play with. n The childminder promotes children's language development. She adapts her teaching to provide children with appropriate challenge in relation to their

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need to do better?

individual needs. For example, she sensitively supports the correct pronunciation of words that they attempt to say and encourages most-able children to use complex words, such as 'pomegranate' and 'aubergine', in their imaginative play. n The experienced and well-qualified childminder consistently reflects on her practice and evaluates the effectiveness of her provision. She makes plans to improve her setting for the benefit of the children in her care. The childminder meets with other childminders to share good practice and to develop her knowledge and skills. This helps to contribute to the stimulating learning environment that children benefit from and their ongoing good progress.

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need to do better?

3 December 2019 n Children have fun and shriek with excitement as they throw artificial snowballs and cotton wool balls onto a Christmas tree. They help the childminder to add some lights. However, the childminder does not always provide children with opportunities to think of their own ideas and ways of solving problems, in order to develop their thinking skills even further. n The childminder invests time with parents and children when they first begin attending to find out a wealth of information. This helps children to swiftly settle and feel ready to learn. The childminder keeps parents fully informed about their child's progress. Parents are very complimentary about the childminder and particularly welcome her warm and friendly approach. However, there is scope for the childminder to extend the information she provides to parents, such as details of the specific positive behaviour management strategies she uses, to

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need to do better?

ensure a consistent approach. n The childminder carries out thorough daily risk assessments prior to children arriving. She implements robust procedures to ensure that children do not have access to her family pets' feeding bowls. Children confidently talk about their understanding to go outside in the event of a fire.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The childminder has a good understanding of how to keep children safe. She maintains up-to-date knowledge of safeguarding through regular training. The childminder knows how to identify if a child is at risk of harm, including from extreme views or behaviours. She knows to report any concerns about children's welfare to the relevant agencies.

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should:

n extend opportunities for children to think of their own ideas and ways of solving problems, in order to develop their thinking skills n extend the good range of information given to parents about children's learning experiences to fully support a shared and consistent approach to their learning.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 149272 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 10106186 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 6 Total number of places 6 Number of children on roll 3 Date of previous inspection 4 March 2015

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 1994 and lives in Stevenage. She operates from 7am until 6pm, Monday to Friday, all year round, except for bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder holds an appropriate qualification at level 3.

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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 and the childminder held a discussion to understand how the early years provision and curriculum is organised. n The inspector completed a joint evaluation of an activity with the childminder and she interacted with, and spoke to, children during the inspection. n The inspector discussed the needs of individual children with the childminder and talked with her about the progress they are making. She looked at relevant documentation and evidence of the suitability of the childminder. n The inspector took account of the views of parents through written feedback provided and discussed with the childminder how she reflects on the service she provides.

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Inspection activities

3 December 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

3 December 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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