Childminder in Hertfordshire

Overall effectiveness Good

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

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The provision is good

Children are cared for in a very welcoming, home-from-home environment. They form extremely strong bonds with the childminder and each other. The childminder gives their emotional well-being a high priority. Children show they feel safe and happy with her. She ensures that all children have a highly enjoyable time in her care.

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The provision is good

The childminder is an excellent role model. She is calm and polite when she speaks to the children. As a result, children learn to play together well. They treat each other with respect and their behaviour is exceptionally good. They learn that 'sharing is caring'. Children take turns with the resources and are very polite. The childminder gives children lots of praise and encouragement, which successfully promotes their confidence and self-esteem.

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The provision is good

The childminder has high expectations of what children know and can do. She plans stimulating and challenging activities to help them to achieve well and develop their learning. Children acquire a love of books and enjoy listening to stories. They learn to count and use mathematical language as they play. Children enjoy a range of activities that support their early writing skills. They develop the skills that they need for their future learning and for starting school.

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need to do better?

n The childminder knows every child's stage of development and learning needs very well. She plans a range of themed activities, based on children's interests, to build on what they can already do. The childminder gathers detailed information from parents about children's achievements before they start with her. She uses this very effectively to plan activities that support their next steps in learning. n The childminder's home is very welcoming and well organised. This helps to encourage children to become confident, independent learners. The childminder encourages them to do as much as they can for themselves. They help to tidy away the toys. Young children have a go at cutting up their fruit at snack time. They put their used tissues in the bin, and they find their coats and shoes when they go outside. n The childminder uses stories, arts and crafts, and songs to extend children's skills. For example, they make a puppet to tell the story about a hungry

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need to do better?

caterpillar that eats lot of food and then turns into a beautiful butterfly. Children say the names of the different food he eats. The childminder builds on their understanding of the world by explaining about the life cycle of the butterfly. n Children have a wealth of opportunities to experience fresh air and exercise. They go on daily outings with the childminder. They learn how to climb and

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need to do better?

27 January 2020 balance safely at the park. The childminder uses these trips to teach children how to manage risks for themselves. n The childminder skilfully supports children's language development. For example, she models words clearly to help them learn new words. Children enjoy listening to stories read by the childminder. They snuggle together and point to the pictures in the book. Parents comment that the childminder successfully fosters their children's love of books and reading. n Children enjoy an excellent range of outings. For example, they visit an aerodrome museum where they thoroughly enjoy dressing up as a pilot. Children talk with great enthusiasm about their rides on a bus and train. They visit the pet shop and post their letters in the post box. These experiences help children to learn about the world around them and the community in which they live. n The childminder has excellent relationships with parents. Their written feedback

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need to do better?

demonstrates the high regard they have for her. They say that she is 'very approachable', and they 'trust her completely'. They appreciate the way they are kept informed of the very good progress their children make. n The childminder has a clear view of her strengths, which includes being patient and creating a safe and happy learning environment. However, she does not make enough use of self-evaluation to identify aspects of her provision that could be further improved.

p.3

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

p.3

Safeguarding

Children are very well protected as the childminder has an excellent understanding of her role in safeguarding children. The childminder knows the children very well. She is confident in recognising and recording concerns, such as any changes to children's behaviour. She knows the procedures to follow to report any concerns. The childminder regularly refreshes her knowledge of child protection through attending training and accessing online information. She also keeps herself up to date with safeguarding issues through discussions with other childminders. The childminder has good medication and accident procedures in place that help to promote children's safety and welfare effectively.

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should:

n enhance the use of self-evaluation to inform more detailed plans for development that raise the quality of the provision even higher.

p.3

Setting details

Unique reference number EY297078 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 10127126 Type of provision Childminder

p.4

Registers

Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register Day care type Childminder Age range of children 1 to 6 Total number of places 6 Number of children on roll 7 Date of previous inspection 7 January 2015

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2004 and lives in Watford. She operates all year round from 7.30am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, except for bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder holds an appropriate childcare qualification at level 3. The childminder provides funded early years education for two-, three- and four- year-old children.

p.4

Inspection activities

n The childminder showed the inspector around the areas of her home that children access. They discussed how the childminder organises her setting and plans the curriculum and experiences for children. n The inspector observed the quality of teaching during activities and assessed the impact this has on children's learning. The inspector and the childminder reflected on a learning experience for children. n The inspector held discussions with the childminder and children at appropriate times during the inspection. The inspector took account of the views of parents from written feedback provided. n The inspector looked at a sample of the childminder's documents. This included evidence about training and the suitability of those living on the premises.

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Inspection activities

27 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

27 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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