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 Not applicable

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The provision is good

Children arrive enthusiastically. The childminder greets them warmly. They settle quickly and demonstrate a strong sense of belonging. Children have formed close relationships with the childminder and show that they feel safe and happy in her home. She treats children with kindness and respect. They are eager to learn and happily choose from the accessible toys. Children play very well together and develop close friendships. They learn from each other. For example, older children support younger children to complete puzzles.

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The provision is good

Children have lots of fun and benefit from the childminder's enthusiastic involvement in their play. They have access to a wide range of experiences and resources indoors and outdoors. For example, children like to experiment in water play. The childminder introduces them to the mathematical concepts of 'full' and 'empty'. Older children enjoy measuring out the ingredients to make cakes. This helps them to learn about how we use numbers in our everyday lives.

p.2

The provision is good

Children are given lots of praise in order to encourage positive behaviour. This helps them to develop a sense of right and wrong. The childminder encourages children to explore and understand different emotions. For example, they often talk about new experiences, such as starting nursery or school.

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need to do better?

n The childminder's professional qualification and experience supports her understanding of how children learn and develop. Children are well prepared for the next stage in their learning. For example, they learn to manage their own personal care needs and quickly become independent. n Children have many opportunities to make marks and to be creative. They enjoy painting, drawing and writing activities. Older children can identify the letters in their names. Younger children enjoy making marks during their play. For example, they have fun 'painting' the fence with water, which helps to develop their early writing skills. n The childminder offers very good support to children as they begin to develop their speaking skills. She talks to them as they play and asks open-ended questions, promoting their communication skills. She helps children to learn how to interact with others, which develops their confidence and helps them to make

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need to do better?

future friendships. n The childminder shares her love of books with the children. They often look at books together. The childminder helps them to understand that print carries meaning. Children enjoy listening to their favourite stories and acting them out as they pretend to be the different characters in the book. n Children have many opportunities to meet new people and talk about similarities

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need to do better?

2 June 2021 and differences in the world. For example, they often go for walks and get to know other people living in the village. The childminder talks to children about different cultures and celebrations. Children enjoy tasting food from other countries. This helps to develop their awareness of the wider world. n The childminder promotes children's physical development and encourages them to be confident to take risks. For example, she supervises them closely as they climb the tree in her garden. The childminder checks her home and considers safety for any outings, so that children can play and learn safely. n Children learn very good routines that support their health and well-being. They understand about germs and the importance of washing their hands. Children play outside every day and have plenty of fresh air and exercise. n The childminder has established very good links with the local playgroups and

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need to do better?

schools. She finds out what children are learning in other settings that they attend. This enables her to complement their learning in her home. Consequently, children benefit from continuity of care and education. n The childminder gets to know the children and their families very well. Parents comment on how their children love being with the childminder and that she is like an extended member of the family. The childminder talks to parents daily about the activities their children have enjoyed. However, she shares little information with parents about how they can support their children's learning and development at home.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

p.3

Safeguarding

The childminder has a good understanding of her responsibilities towards the children in her care. She knows how to recognise and report any child protection concerns. She is conscientious in keeping her knowledge up to date, and understands wider safeguarding issues, such as when children are being exposed to extreme views and behaviours. The childminder supervises children well. She encourages them to keep themselves safe. For example, they learn about road safety and confidently describe what they would do in the event of a fire. When they are out, children always stay within sight of the childminder and are aware of the boundaries.

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should:

n further support children's learning and development at home by sharing more information with parents.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY549591 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 10173989 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 7 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2017 and lives in the village of Ashwell. She operates all year round from 7.30am until 5.15pm, Monday to Friday, except for bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder holds an appropriate qualification at Level 6. She provides funded early years education for three- and four-year-old children.

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Inspection activities

n This was the first routine inspection the childminder received since the COVID- 19 (coronavirus) pandemic began. The inspector discussed the impact of the pandemic with the childminder and have taken that into account in their evaluation of the setting. n The childminder showed the inspector 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 children and the childminder taking part in activities and assessed the impact this has on children's learning. The inspector and the childminder reflected on a learning experience for children. n Children spoke to the inspector about what they enjoyed doing at the childminder's house. n The inspector took account of the views of parents from written feedback provided. n The childminder shared a sample of documents with the inspector. This included

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Inspection activities

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

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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

2 June 2021 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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