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 Outstanding

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The provision is good

Children are cared for in a homely and inclusive environment. They develop strong, caring relationships with the childminder. They show that they feel safe and secure in her care. Children are motivated and enthusiastic to learn. For example, they enjoy playing with construction toys that they can stack. They delight in building towers to see how high they can make them before they fall down.

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The provision is good

Children are polite and friendly. They learn the boundaries and what is expected of them. The childminder is an excellent role model. She has very high expectations for children's behaviour. They are given lots of praise, which helps to boost their confidence and self-esteem. Children are developing good levels of independence. For example, young children persevere in putting on their own coats and shoes when they go outside.

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The provision is good

Children play very well together as they enthusiastically explore the play dough. They have fun making marks with the different tools, which helps to support their early writing skills. Children enjoy looking at books, and regularly visit the library. They learn to listen and concentrate very well. They are offered a wide range of learning opportunities that help them to make good progress in all areas of their learning.

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need to do better?

n The childminder is very dedicated and has many years of experience caring for children. She makes the most of all training opportunities to extend her skills and knowledge. Recent training has helped her in supporting children's language development and in recognising how children learn through play. She embeds new ideas in her practice to help all children achieve well. n Children are developing the skills they need for their future learning and starting school. The childminder skilfully promotes their communication and language skills. For example, she encourages younger children to repeat new words to increase their vocabulary. All children love singing rhymes and songs, and listening to their favourite stories. n The childminder forms friendly and trusting partnerships with parents. They are extremely happy with the care and progress their children make. Parents are encouraged to be involved in their children's learning. The childminder sends

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need to do better?

them photographs of their children during the day. She offers helpful guidance on how to support children's learning at home. They work together to ensure children's care and learning needs are effectively supported. n Children benefit from a range of outings and experiences with the childminder. For instance, they visit local parks, shops and library. They go to the garden centre to buy seeds to plant in the garden. Children love to explore the local

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need to do better?

3 March 2020 woods and visit the river to see the ducks. This helps them to learn about the world around them and the community in which they live. Children develop a good understanding of keeping themselves safe. For example, they learn how to cross the road safely. n Equality and diversity are supported well by the childminder. She encourages children to value and respect each other's differences. Children have a wide range of experiences that help to further their understanding of the wider world. For example, they learn about different festivals and special days, such as Easter, Diwali and St Patrick's Day. n The childminder encourages children to have healthy lifestyles. They use good hygiene routines and discuss healthy foods at mealtimes. They develop their physical skills and learn to take manageable risks as they play in the childminder's garden or at the park. n The childminder plans and provides children with a wide range of activities to

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need to do better?

support their learning. However, she does not find out as much as she can from parents about children's skills and abilities before they begin attending in order to enable her to build on their learning right from the start. n The childminder provides a good range of activities that support children's interests and their stages of development. However, at times, she does not make the most of learning opportunities to offer even greater challenges for older and more-able children in order to extend their learning even further.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

p.3

Safeguarding

The childminder has a very good understanding of her role in safeguarding children. She knows the procedures to follow should she have any concerns about a child's welfare. The childminder keeps her training up to date. She has a good understanding of wider safeguarding issues, such as preventing children from being drawn into extreme views. The childminder ensures all information in her safeguarding policy is current and relevant. All adults living and working on the premises are suitably vetted.

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should:

n gather more detailed information about the skills and abilities children already have when they begin attending, and use this information to build on their learning right from the start n provide further challenge for older and more-able children during activities to help them enhance their existing skills and make the best possible progress.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY334978 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 10127156 Type of provision Childminder

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Registers

Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register Day care type Childminder

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inspection

Total number of places 6 Number of children on roll 5 Date of previous inspection 23 February 2016

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2006 and lives in St. Albans, Hertfordshire. She operates all year round from 7.30am to 6pm, Monday to Thursday, except for bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder holds an appropriate childcare qualification at level 3. She 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 about training and the suitability of those living on the premises.

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Inspection activities

3 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

3 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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