Childminder in Hertfordshire

Overall effectiveness Good

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

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The provision is good

Children thoroughly enjoy their time with the childminder, often showing a reluctance to leave when it is time to go home. They thrive on the attention that she provides and demonstrate that they feel safe in her care. Children know the childminder is always nearby with cuddles and reassurance as they need.

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The provision is good

Children take part in a wide range of activities to help them gain essential skills for future learning. For example, older children work towards achieving goals such as being able to dress themselves, sharing the resources and taking turns with the other children. They follow instruction well and show good levels of concentration when activities interest them. During a game of snap, children look closely at the features of different animals on the cards to decide if they match. Young children are included well and enjoy making animal noises the childminder introduces them to. The well-organised, and often home-made, resources capture children's curiosity and enable them to enhance their chosen games.

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The provision is good

Children use their manners unprompted and, with gentle reminders, follow the childminder's clear and concise expectations for behaviour. They know they must tidy away toys when they finish their play, wash their hands before they eat and ask to leave the table when they have finished.

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need to do better?

n The qualified childminder has established effective relationships with other childminders. These help her to continually reflect on her practice and share ideas. She also completes regular training and online research to support positive improvement. Following a course on linking sounds and letters, she now understands more fully the importance of promoting children's listening skills. n The childminder is fully aware of children who are in receipt of specialist support and receives feedback from any appointments that they attend. She continually reviews the learning environment to make sure it remains safe for children to access and is inclusive of their individual requirements. n The childminder is very responsive to children's emotional needs. For example, children who have limited experience of time away from their main caregiver receive sensitive support and understanding. The childminder encourages them

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need to do better?

to place their hand on their heart, close their eyes and take some time to think about their special person. n Children have plenty of opportunities to engage in conversation with the childminder and learn new words to use in their communication. They take part in singing sessions and are eager to share their favourite stories about foxes and frogs. Children show a vivid imagination as they make up their own tales about snakes and big, black bears.

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need to do better?

2 March 2020 n Children enjoy the responsibility of small tasks and take pride in their achievements. The childminder encourages children to persevere and teaches them how to use tools safely. For example, she reminds children to keep their fingers out of the way as they use a knife to prepare fruit for the morning snack. n Children engage in high levels of physical activity. During action songs, they walk quickly on the spot, energetically jump up high and then bend down to touch their toes. Children have daily access to the outdoors. They enjoy local woodland walks and regular trips to animal zoos and parks with different play apparatus. These activities help to promote children's good health. n The childminder uses a range of ways to involve parents in children's learning. For instance, she teaches them the words to new songs children have learned. This enables them to practise these with children at home. Parents say the

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need to do better?

childminder is a wonderful childminder and a truly lovely person. They especially appreciate the social skills that children learn in her care. n Although the childminder completes regular assessments of children's development, she does not use this information highly effectively to focus precisely on how to help children make more rapid progress. n The childminder shares pertinent information with staff from some of the other settings children attend. However, this does not include all of the providers that share care of the children. This means that she is not always able to promote a highly consistent approach to meet every child's needs.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The childminder maintains an up-to-date knowledge of child protection issues. She is alert to the signs and symptoms that may indicate a child who is at risk of harm. The childminder recognises her responsibility to monitor any concerns that she has, such as children's unexplained periods of absence. She is confident to gain further advice and support, as she needs, in order to promote children's welfare. The childminder is aware of the correct reporting procedures to follow in line with her local authority and when concerns need to be raised to the police.

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should:

n enhance the use of information gathered from children's assessments in order to plan precise ways to help them make the best possible progress n strengthen partnership working with other settings that children attend, to support a more consistent approach to meeting children's needs.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY346735 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 10073831 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 8 Total number of places 6 Number of children on roll 12 Date of previous inspection 14 March 2016

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2007 and lives in Hemel Hempstead. She operates all year round from 7.15am to 6.15pm, Monday to Friday, except for bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder holds an appropriate qualification at level 3. She provides funded early education for three- and four-year-old children.

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Inspection activities

n The inspector observed the quality of teaching during activities, indoors, and assessed the impact this has on children's learning. n The inspector discussed the curriculum with the childminder and completed a joint evaluation of the activities that she provides for children. n The inspector held a number of discussions with the childminder. She looked at relevant documentation, such as evidence of the childminder's first-aid qualification and public liability insurance. n The inspector spoke to, and interacted with, children during the inspection. n The inspector took account of the views of parents through written feedback provided.

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Inspection activities

2 March 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

2 March 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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