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 exceptionally well cared for. They develop extremely close attachments with the childminder, showing that they feel very safe and happy with her. Children often go to the childminder for reassurance and cuddles. They learn how to manage their emotions and are beginning to understand that their behaviour has an impact on others. Children play and explore with great confidence and independence. They show a very strong sense of belonging.

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The provision is good

Children have wonderful opportunities to learn about the natural world. They enthusiastically dig and plant vegetables in the garden. Children show awe and wonder as their bulbs start to appear in the ground. The childminder skilfully supports children's understanding of nature. For example, she explains that bees like to visit the wild flowers growing in the garden.

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The provision is good

Children are very motivated and eager to join in all activities. They show high levels of curiosity in the exciting and stimulating environment provided. Children love to explore the wonderful artefacts and books that the childminder collects from other countries. The childminder tells children all about the exciting places she visits around the world. This helps them to understand differences and what makes them unique.

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need to do better?

n The childminder has an extremely loving and caring manner with children. She is very attentive to their individual needs and creates a warm, family atmosphere in which children flourish. Children are frequently praised, which helps to raise their confidence and self-esteem. n Children's behaviour and early relationships are exemplary for their age. They show high levels of respect for each other. The childminder is calm and polite when she speaks to the children. She is an excellent role model. Children are encouraged to use good manners and develop superb social skills. They are well prepared for starting school. n The childminder clearly enjoys her work. She plans interesting and fun activities each day. Children become deeply engrossed when painting pictures of daffodils. They show pride in their achievements as they share these with the childminder. n The childminder encourages children to lead an extremely healthy and active

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need to do better?

lifestyle. She supports them to follow excellent hygiene practices and provides them with healthy, home-cooked food. Children quickly become independent and learn how to look after their personal needs from an early age. n The childminder keeps parents well informed of their children's daily activities and ongoing development. Parents are extremely happy with the care and progress their children make. They say that they are 'very lucky' to have found

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need to do better?

10 February 2020 the childminder, and that their children see her as a 'second mum'. Parents appreciate the 'amazing settling-in arrangements' and excellent advice they receive from the childminder. n The childminder promotes children's speech and language very well. They love to cuddle up to her and look at books together. She makes excellent use of stories to support children's listening, understanding and speaking skills. The childminder provides a language-rich environment, with many opportunities for children to build on their vocabulary. For example, she introduces them to animals, such as a gecko. n The childminder teaches children from a young age about how they can keep themselves safe. For example, she supervises them to take measured risks as they play in the garden. Children learn to have care and concern for living things. For example, they know how to treat and respect the family dog. They

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need to do better?

happily play while the dog sleeps beside them. This helps to promote children's confidence around animals. n The childminder uses the settling-in process to gain an understanding of children's routines and interests. However, she does not gather detailed information from parents about children's development and achievements. This does not help her to closely monitor children's progress and plan for their learning from the beginning. n The childminder has a very positive attitude to developing her practice. She welcomes feedback from parents and children. However, she does not consistently make enough use of self-evaluation to identify how she can continually improve her provision.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The childminder thoroughly understands her role in protecting the children in her care. She has a clear understanding of the signs and symptoms which could indicate a child may be at risk of harm. The childminder confidently talks about her understanding of wider safeguarding issues. She talks to older children about online safety and use of the internet, to help them to understand about staying safe.

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should:

n gather more detailed information from parents about children's development and achievements when they start n extend the process of self-evaluation to highlight more clearly the strengths and areas for development of current practice, to continually drive forward improvement.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY307719 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 10127136 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 12 Total number of places 6 Number of children on roll 10 Date of previous inspection 9 October 2015

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2005 and lives in Potters Bar. She operates all year round from 7.30am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, except for bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder provides funded early years education for two-, three- and four-year-old children.

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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 of training and the suitability of those living on the premises.

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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

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/ofsted

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