Childminder 129995

Overall effectiveness Outstanding

The quality of education Outstanding Behaviour and attitudes Outstanding Personal development Outstanding Leadership and management Outstanding Overall effectiveness at previous inspection Outstanding

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The provision is outstanding

Children are constantly happy, safe and secure in this exceedingly welcoming environment. They find the range of stimulating activities irresistible. For example, children are fascinated by tiny toy models frozen onto or submerged in ice. They test different ways to release the models, including using lukewarm water and sunlight. Children watch and feel the ice as it melts. They are inquisitive and independently return throughout the day to monitor progress. Children consistently strive to complete tasks successfully.

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The provision is outstanding

Children enjoy playing with the childminder and her assistant. They use a virtual assistant to request their favourite songs, waiting their turn and speaking clearly, confidently and politely. Each child listens attentively to the music and words of the songs, and matches dance moves and actions creatively. Children watch each other and relish copying new ideas and dance steps. The childminder keenly encourages team spirit and constantly helps children cooperate with one another. Children feel that they belong and value their relationships and time together. Behaviour is outstanding.

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The provision is outstanding

Young children enjoy sharing significant moments logged in their scrapbooks. For example, they talk about jumping in muddy puddles or discovering a badger hole on a ramble in the countryside. They find out more about wildlife from attractive, easily accessible books and with the childminder on her tablet. They are exceptionally well prepared for school.

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need to do better?

n The childminder and her assistant work together very effectively. Both are highly motivated and committed to giving children an exceptionally good experience. They meticulously plan a range of inspirational activities in a very well-thought- out environment. They flexibly adjust plans and methods to meet children's individual needs and interests. All children make outstanding progress. n The childminder ensures that her assistant is given professional and personal support at all times. She constantly monitors how her assistant contributes very well to children's development against the early years goals. n Children make exceptional progress in speech and language. The childminder provides a language-rich environment and gives children a wealth of opportunities to extend their vocabulary. For example, she emphasises the names of different melons at snack time. Children enjoy the challenge of practising and repeating tricky words. The childminder encourages children from

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need to do better?

a very young age to use new words in various contexts. n Children enjoy a range of beautiful fiction and non-fiction books. They repeat jingles and rhymes. The childminder gives children time to finish off sentences

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need to do better?

21 January 2020 when she is reading stories. She skilfully prepares children for learning letters and sounds. For example, babies listen to and feel the scrunch when handling tactile books. Older children pick out letter sounds, for example from letters in their name. n The childminder expertly incorporates number, shape, space and measurement into play. For example, she encourages children to explore the properties of shapes in puzzles. As children use toy cash tills, the childminder encourages them to sort coins and compare sizes. She poses questions to help children think about how coin sizes relate to value. n The childminder models how to care for baby dolls kindly and patiently. She guides children to safely strap the dolls into pushchairs before taking them for a walk. She enlists children to help prepare the dolls' food and milk in the kitchenette. Children take exercise and challenge themselves on larger play

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need to do better?

equipment in the outdoor area or at local parks and facilities. They also know when to take a rest, perhaps with a book or cuddly toy. n The childminder constantly evaluates and seeks improvement. She recently completed webinars on mental health to broaden her knowledge and understanding of motivations and relationships in both children and adults. The childminder consistently encourages teamwork. For example, she guides children to work together to safely move some furniture to make space for a music and movement activity. n The childminder works very closely with parents to support children's academic and emotional well-being. She ensures that all children's personal needs are handled with great care and respect. Parents are unanimous and unstinting in their praise for the service the childminder provides. They liken the setting to a warm extended family.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The childminder is extremely well trained and knowledgeable about her role and responsibility relating to child protection issues and keeping children safe. She knows and understands signs of possible child abuse, neglect, or being drawn into extreme behaviours or ideas. She has a clear understanding of how to report concerns about a child's safety. Her robust vetting procedures and ongoing checks ensure her assistant is suitable to work with children. She ensures her assistant attends training with her, to update their knowledge and understanding of how to keep children safe. All activities and routines are risk assessed, including e-safety, to ensure children are safe.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 129995 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 10127036 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 9 Total number of places 6 Number of children on roll 14 Date of previous inspection 12 July 2013

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 1999 and lives in Radlett, Hertfordshire. She operates from 7.30am to 5.30pm, Monday to Friday, for most of the year. The childminder provides funded early years education for two-, three- and four-year-old children. She holds a childcare qualification at level 3 and works with a part-time assistant.

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Inspection activities

n The inspector viewed the areas in the childminder's home used by the children, inside and outside. n At appropriate times throughout the inspection, the inspector spoke with the childminder, her assistant and the children. n The inspector carried out an evaluation of an activity with the childminder. n The inspector checked a range of documentation, including policies and procedures, certificates and the suitability checks of the childminder, her assistant and those who live in the household. n During the inspection, the inspector spoke to a selection of parents and looked at written reviews. She took account of their views.

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Inspection activities

21 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

21 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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