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 develop strong, caring relationships with the childminder. They settle quickly in her home. The childminder is an excellent role model and is very kind and caring. Children are valued as individuals. The childminder knows their likes and dislikes, routines and interests. They seek comfort and reassurance from her when they are tired or upset. Children learn to manage their feelings and emotions. They are polite and friendly and learn to be tolerant, respectful and kind. The children are given clear, consistent guidance and gentle reminders about the expectations for their behaviour. Children are frequently praised for their achievements, which helps to boost their confidence and self-esteem. Children demonstrate that they feel safe and secure. They enjoy their time with the childminder.

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The provision is good

Children play happily together. They learn to take turns and share their resources. For example, they readily share the tools to make marks in the play dough. Young children spontaneously help to tidy away after activities. They are appropriately challenged as the childminder knows what they can do well, and what they need to learn next. All children are progressing well. They are developing the skills they need to be successful in their future learning, for example starting school.

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need to do better?

n The childminder clearly enjoys her role. She is very experienced and has worked with children for many years. She demonstrates an excellent understanding of children's learning and development. She uses her knowledge of children's abilities and interests to plan for their learning needs. Children make good progress in all areas of their learning. n The childminder uses the natural environment to extend children's learning. For example, they go on walks to collect leaves and use these in their activities. Children enjoy hunting for bugs and feeding the birds that come into the garden. Older children make lists of what they want to look out for on their walks, such as trees and flowers. n The childminder skilfully supports children's language development. For example, she often sings familiar songs and rhymes with them. Children thoroughly enjoy listening to stories. The childminder continually talks to them

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need to do better?

as they play. Children are introduced to new words, such as 'slither', to help increase their vocabulary. The childminder explains the meaning of words, which helps to support children's early literacy skills. n Children learn about healthy lifestyles. They enjoy a range of nutritious food and have daily fresh air and exercise. Children adopt exceptionally good hygiene routines. The childminder teaches them about the importance of washing their hands. She has been particularly vigilant in providing a safe environment for the

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need to do better?

26 May 2021 children and their families during the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic. n There are good opportunities for children to develop early mathematical language. Younger children can identify shapes and colours. When they are out, they enjoy looking for shapes in the environment and recognising the numbers on people's front doors. The childminder encourages older children to do simple addition. They confidently count and begin to discuss more difficult concepts, such as pairs. n Although parents do not go into the childminder's home as they usually would, their partnership remains very strong. Their written comments show that they are extremely happy with the care their children receive. Parents appreciate how they were helped to overcome their anxieties during the COVID-19 pandemic. The childminder keeps parents up to date with their children's achievements. She regularly gives them ideas about how to support their children's learning at

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need to do better?

home. n The childminder reflects on ways to improve, to maintain a good standard of practice. She values and responds to the views of parents and children. She ensures that statutory training is kept up to date. n The childminder has established some links with early years settings that children also attend. This helps to provide consistency in their care and learning. n The childminder knows the children very well. She is aware of their interests and uses them to provide appropriate toys and activities. However, the toys and activities are not organised as effectively as possible. This means that children cannot easily access the toys and activities, in order to develop their play ideas further.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

Children are extremely well protected as the childminder has a very good understanding of her role in safeguarding children. She recognises the possible signs and symptoms of abuse. She knows the procedures to follow if she is concerned about a child's well-being. The childminder's safeguarding policies and procedures are implemented well. She makes daily checks of her home and supervises children well throughout the day. Children learn how to keep themselves safe, such as how to cross the road safely on outings. The childminder regularly attends training and is proactive in developing her understanding of wider safeguarding issues, such as radicalisation and online safety.

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should:

n review the organisation of the toys and activities to make it easier for children to choose what they would like to play with, in order to develop their play ideas

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY548330 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 10173990 Type of provision Childminder Registers Early Years Register Day care type Childminder

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inspection

Total number of places 6 Number of children on roll 6 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2017 and lives in Hertford. She operates all year round from 7am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, except for bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder holds an early years qualification at level 4. 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 pandemic began. The inspector discussed the impact of the pandemic with the childminder and has 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 childminder shared a sample of documents with the inspector. This included evidence about training and the suitability of those living on the premises. 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 enjoy doing at the childminder's house. n The inspector took account of the views of parents from written feedback

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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

26 May 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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