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 benefit from the childminder's kind, caring and very attentive nature. They show that they feel safe and secure in her care. Children are confident and assertive as they interact with visitors. They are also curious and ask them questions. For instance, as they share a book, children are inquisitive about the picture of a skeleton. Children show a very good awareness of the uniqueness of themselves and others. They talk about why individuals who have a sight impairment benefit from a guide dog to help them in their daily life. Children have a high level of self-esteem. They proudly share their recent achievements with visitors. For example, they show a picture they have drawn and give detailed explanations about each aspect of their drawing.

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The provision is good

Children respond very well to the childminder's fun sense of personality. This motivates them to have a positive attitude towards learning. They explore the different sounds of instruments and join in singing their favourite songs that the childminder plays for them on a guitar. Children experience a wide range of organised outings with the childminder. These help them to develop a very good understanding of the world. For instance, they learn about vintage cars and participate in traditional historical games at a discovery centre.

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need to do better?

n The childminder places a very strong emphasis on promoting children's language skills. For example, she consistently engages in discussions with children, introducing them to new words, such as 'maracas'. The childminder sensitively supports the pronunciation of words they attempt to say. This means that children use complex sentences to recall previous experiences and talk about what they know and understand. n The childminder gives a high priority to children's hygiene and physical health. For example, she discusses with children the importance or oral hygiene and helps them to brush their teeth after eating lunch. The childminder ensures that children have daily access to outdoors. They regularly visit local parks and learn to assess their own risks as they climb large apparatus and swing on a zip wire. n The childminder helps children to develop good mathematical skills. For example, she challenges children to create and compare the sizes of balls of

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need to do better?

dough. Children also identify shapes within their play. n The childminder uses every opportunity to encourage children to be independent and carry out age-appropriate responsibilities. For instance, children help the childminder to set up planned activities and they prepare their own snack. Children sensibly handle the safety knife to cut up a selection of fruit. n The childminder is very positive in her approach and treats children with equal respect. She consistently places a strong focus on building children's social skills,

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need to do better?

9 January 2020 to support their good behaviour, kindness and respect for one another. This means that children build friendly relationships from an early stage. n The childminder 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 is committed to continue to build on her knowledge and skills. As a result of recent training, she has an increased awareness of supporting children to understand the positive impact of recycling. Children now sort and recycle paper and plastic. n Parents are complimentary about the childminder. They describe her as 'brilliant' and appreciate the 'home-from-home' environment that she creates. The childminder regularly shares photographs and information with parents about their child's good progress. However, she does not always share her wealth of experience and knowledge to precisely suggest how parents can enrich everyday

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need to do better?

shared learning at home. n The childminder is aware of the need to form positive working relationships with staff at other provisions that children attend. She takes account of their achievements and progress through children's direct feedback and discussions with parents. The childminder plans activities that complement these. However, there is scope to build on this partnership to regularly and directly share precise information relating to children's next steps in learning.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The childminder demonstrates a good knowledge and understanding of how to protect the children in her care. She is able to identify signs and symptoms of abuse. The childminder knows what to do if she has a concern about children in her care and she understands the procedure to follow if a referral is required. Robust procedures are in place to prevent unauthorised individuals using their mobile phone in the presence of children.

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should:

n enhance children's learning experiences further to include more precise ideas for parents to extend children's individual learning at home n develop strategies to regularly share information about children's learning and development with staff at the other provisions children attend.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY309664 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 10106312 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 6 Number of children on roll 8 Date of previous inspection 6 May 2015

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2005 and lives in Hitchin. She operates from 8am until 5.30pm on 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 are 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 the progress they are making. She looked at relevant documentation and evidence of the suitability of persons living in the household. 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

9 January 2020 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

9 January 2020 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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