Childminder in Hertfordshire

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 very happy and settled in the childminder's care. They demonstrate extremely secure attachments to her. For example, children initiate cuddles and often tell the childminder that they love her. Babies also enjoy physical contact, for example as they contently lie on the childminder's lap as she strokes their hair. The childminder is an outstanding role model. She treats children with the greatest respect and is exceptionally mindful of their needs. Children demonstrate exemplary behaviour, they are keen to help with daily tasks and are kind and considerate to others and the childminder.

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The provision is outstanding

From an early age, children develop superb independence. For example, babies become highly confident in moving around to explore new activities and resources. They are constantly on the lookout for new challenges. Children develop an extremely strong can-do attitude to their learning. The childminder is a constant encourager who believes that children are extremely capable individuals. For example, as children try to open a packet at lunchtime, they start off by saying, 'I can't do it.' The childminder encourages them to keep trying. Children's language and tone of voice changes to 'I'm doing it' and then they proudly announce, 'I did it.' The superb praise the childminder gives children so obviously raises their self- esteem and supports them to keep challenging their own skills and abilities.

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need to do better?

n The childminder constructs a curriculum that is simple, but at the same time, well thought out and ambitious. Communication, using books, singing and activities based on children's interests, is at the heart of her provision for children. This results in children's levels of concentration and knowledge being well beyond what is expected for their age. n The childminder has excellent knowledge of each child's development. She very successfully interweaves what children need to learn next in exciting and challenging activities that link to their interests. The childminder's outstanding teaching helps children to build their skills and knowledge extremely well to support their future learning. n Children make exceptional progress with their speech and language development. The childminder provides a language-rich environment, with numerous opportunities for children to build on their wide vocabulary. Babies

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need to do better?

quickly learn how to use single words in correct contexts, such as saying 'roar', when they see a picture of a lion. Children express their thoughts amazingly well. For example, children as young as two years, say they know the sun is shining on a picture as it is bright. n Children have a deep fondness for sharing books with the childminder. They show an immense understanding of how stories are structured and are able to

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need to do better?

3 February 2020 precisely recall events in great detail. The childminder uses these opportunities to teach children amazingly well. For example, when children notice faces with different skin tones, the childminder skilfully explains why this is. This leads on to further discussion, such as about gender, as children talk about the pictures and the people they know. n The childminder places high priority on helping children to understand the importance of healthy lifestyles. Children benefit from walks in the local community, where they look at changes in seasons, such as the signs of spring. Children choose their own snack from a range of healthy foods. They use their developing physical skills to peel and chop fruit extremely well. n Children are developing a deep respect for others. They show great empathy and concern, such as when babies fall over. Children show a high regard for the childminder's well-being, such as by asking her if she is hungry and if she wants

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need to do better?

to share their snack. n Parents receive excellent information about their children's learning and development. This includes daily discussions and regular written assessments. Parents are consistently encouraged to contribute information about their children's learning and development at home. Parents speak highly positively about the childminder. For example, they state that children thrive under her nurturing care. They also say that children develop into independent, polite individuals, who take these wonderful qualities with them as they start at school. n The childminder works extremely hard to maintain her practice at an outstanding level. She continually identifies where she can develop and improve on her already high-quality teaching. For example, the childminder has recently purchased land adjacent to her home and is drawing up plans to develop a natural outdoor environment. She identifies training and professional

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need to do better?

development opportunities that are tailored to her setting. This supports the childminder to consistently provide the highest quality of care and learning for children.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The childminder has an excellent and in-depth understanding of safeguarding matters, including those relating to extreme beliefs and views. She knows and understands her responsibility to protect children's welfare extremely well. She has a highly effective understanding of the procedures to follow if she has concerns about a child's welfare or another adult's behaviour. The childminder has comprehensive policies and procedures that she uses to meticulously support her outstanding practice. She works relentlessly to keep abreast of the wider safeguarding remit through completing training and undertaking research.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY332464 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 10127303 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 0 to 7 Total number of places 6 Number of children on roll 8 Date of previous inspection 4 February 2016

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2006 and lives in Borehamwood. She operates all year round from 8am to 6pm, Monday to Thursday, 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 looked at the areas of the childminder's home that she uses with children and discussed how she operates her practice. n The inspector observed the childminder joining in activities with children and discussed the learning that was taking place with her. n A sample of policies and procedures was looked at by the inspector, which included documents relating to safeguarding and complaints procedures. n The inspector discussed the needs of individual children with the childminder and talked with her about the progress they are making. n The inspector took account of the views of parents and discussed the childminder's reflections of her practice with her.

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Inspection activities

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 February 2020 3 February 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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