King, Margaret

Overall effectiveness Good

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

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The provision is good

Children enjoy being with the childminder and show that they are happy, secure and confident in the welcoming environment. The childminder works closely with parents and builds a thorough understanding of children's needs, interests and development when they first start attending. She continues to observe and assess children, using this information well to plan activities that support children in building their skills and knowledge. The childminder particularly understands each child's experiences and offers them further experiences that aid their ability to learn successfully. For example, children enjoy many opportunities, both within the childminder's home and out in the community, to develop their social skills. They work well together and support each other. For instance, children work together to turn a cardboard box into a boat for their dolls.

p.2

The provision is good

Children are excited about their play and confidently try new activities. For example, they set out pebbles with letters on so that these spell out their name. They go on to copy the pebbles and write their names on paper. Children learn about emotions so that they can identify these in themselves and other people. This helps them understand how their actions affect others and to appreciate right and wrong.

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need to do better?

n Children benefit from the childminder's ability to make good use of their interests. For example, she builds on children's interest in penguins. They play with toy penguins in pretend snow and talk about the climate and other animals that live in colder regions of the world. The childminder reinforces children's learning when they later look at a book about penguins and recall some of the facts about these. n The childminder has good procedures to support her in working with other childcare settings. She works well with parents and offers them practical support in extending their children's learning. For example, she lends resources that aid specific areas, such as learning to write. Parents think very highly of the childminder. They appreciate her flexible approach, her good communication and the wide variety of activities she offers children. n The childminder competently assesses children's progress and helps them to

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need to do better?

build their knowledge. For example, children sort objects according to colour. They then extend their mathematical skills as they sort these according to size, count the number in each group and find the corresponding number card. n The childminder speaks clearly with children and ensures that they understand any new words. Children confidently use their language skills to explain their play to one another. n The childminder supports children well in developing a love of reading. They visit

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need to do better?

10 February 2020 the library and learn to select books. The childminder skilfully captures children's attention when reading and they eagerly join in with repeated refrains. Children competently retell stories. n Children gain a good understanding of differences and show respect for one another. They learn simple words in second languages spoken by some children. They understand about considering others and making compromises. For example, they attend a book fair and work together to decide which books to buy. n Children gain a good understanding of how to keep themselves safe and healthy. Young children explain that they need to tidy the toys from the floor so that they do not fall over them. Children participate in physical activities, such as music and movement sessions. They note how this affects their bodies, for example in their raised heart rates. n The childminder does not consistently make the best use of opportunities that

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need to do better?

aid children in expressing their creativity and using this, and other skills, to solve problems as they arise during their play and discussions. n The experienced childminder maintains an enthusiastic approach to her work. She sets high standards and prepares children well for starting school. She uses her qualification effectively to inform her work. However, she does not consistently make the best use of supervision and training opportunities for assistants, to aid them in further raising the quality of their teaching.

p.3

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

p.3

Safeguarding

The childminder maintains a good knowledge of safeguarding. She and her assistants regularly refresh their training so that they are confident in recognising and reporting any concerns about children's welfare. The childminder fully understands the possible risks to children connected with extreme views or practices. She has a thorough knowledge of the possible dangers when accessing the internet. She takes effective action to protect children from these risks and to help them understand how to keep themselves safe. The childminder ensures that her assistants are suitable to work with children.

p.3

should:

n extend the opportunities that support children in expressing their creativity and solving the problems they encounter as they play n build on the use of supervision and professional development opportunities for assistants, to continuously raise the quality of teaching.

p.3

Setting details

Unique reference number 129481 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 10127026 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 10 Total number of places 12 Number of children on roll 22 Date of previous inspection 18 November 2014

p.4

Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 1986 and lives in Hemel Hempstead. She operates all year round from 7.15am to 6.30pm, Monday to Friday, except for bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder has qualified teacher status. She provides funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children. The childminder works with an assistant and with a co-childminder on an occasional basis.

p.4

Inspection activities

n The inspector observed the quality of teaching during activities, indoors and outdoors, and assessed the impact this has on children's learning. She carried out a tour of the home with the childminder to discuss and understand how the early years provision is organised. n The inspector talked with children, the childminder and her assistant at appropriate times throughout the inspection. She reviewed an activity with the childminder. n The inspector looked at evidence of the suitability of household members and the assistant. She discussed the childminder's self-evaluation and viewed a range of other documentation, including the safeguarding procedures. n Written feedback from parents was looked at, and the inspector took account of these views. She also talked with a small number of parents.

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Inspection activities

10 February 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

10 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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