Childminder in Hertfordshire

Overall effectiveness Outstanding

The quality of education Outstanding Behaviour and attitudes Outstanding Personal development Outstanding Leadership and management Outstanding Overall effectiveness at previous inspection Not applicable

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The provision is outstanding

Children and babies flourish in the exceptionally warm, family atmosphere of the childminder's home. They become highly confident and happily introduce themselves to visitors. Babies are wonderfully relaxed and comfortable. They enjoy frequent cuddles with the childminder. She shows a genuine warmth and affection for the children. Children show that they feel completely safe and happy with the childminder.

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The provision is outstanding

Children's behaviour is exemplary, and they all play harmoniously together. The childminder is an outstanding role model. She is calm and polite when she speaks to the children. As a result, they learn to play together superbly well and treat others with respect. Children are exceptionally well supported to manage their own feelings. For example, they sensitively care for their dolls. This enhances their understanding of what it is like to have a new baby in the family.

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The provision is outstanding

Children benefit hugely from the childminder's enthusiastic involvement in their play. She makes excellent use of rhymes and songs to capture their interests. Children enthusiastically make 'clip clop' sounds as they sing a song about horses. They relish their time in the childminder's wonderful garden. Children demonstrate strong physical skills and coordination, and confidently negotiate the play equipment. All children show high levels of curiosity, concentration and enjoyment.

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need to do better?

n The childminder has an exceptional understanding of how children learn. She plans incredibly well to build on what children know and can already do. She skilfully uses every situation as a learning opportunity. Children benefit enormously from the wonderful home-made resources. They delight in using story props, stimulating small-world activities and going on exciting trips in the local area. They are exceptionally well prepared for their future learning. n Parents are extremely complimentary about the childminder. They describe her as 'incredible,' and say that 'she goes above and beyond to make sure their children have a nice day'. They are highly impressed by the kind, professional and caring service she offers. Parents are provided with excellent ideas of how they can extend their children's learning and love of reading at home. n Young children receive excellent support and encouragement to develop their

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need to do better?

love of books. They become totally absorbed as they listen to their favourite stories. Younger children show high levels of concentration as they enthusiastically lift the flaps in the book. The childminder skilfully extends their learning as they recall the animals that the zoo sent to them in the story. n The childminder places a strong emphasis on mathematics. Consequently, young children make excellent progress in this area. The childminder encourages them

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need to do better?

17 June 2021 to talk about and use numbers during their play. They demonstrate an excellent understanding of simple addition and subtraction. For example, in a game they successfully add another monkey to the two they have, and know they now have three. n Children are eager to learn about people, families and communities beyond their own. They consolidate their learning through a variety of experiences. They excitedly take part in activities to celebrate special days, such as the Queen's birthday. Children have enormous fun making crowns and having a tea party. Photographs of their superb activities regularly feature in the village magazine. n Children learn to be highly respectful and to recognise people who help us. For example, they pretend to be fire officers, using water guns to put out the fire. The childminder expertly enhances their knowledge by sharing books about the emergency services. This supports children's understanding of the wealth of

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need to do better?

knowledge to be found in books. n The childminder provides excellent activities that promote investigation and exploration. Children enthusiastically explore a wealth of natural and real-life materials in the exceptionally well-resourced mud kitchen. They learn fascinating facts about living creatures and plants. They develop excellent observational skills. For example, children carefully dissect a flower and learn about the different parts. n The childminder has worked incredibly hard to develop her outstanding provision. She is highly reflective to ensure children make the best possible progress in their learning. She makes full use of all training and development opportunities available to extend her excellent practice even further.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The childminder has an exceptional knowledge of all aspects of safeguarding. She understands her responsibilities to report any concerns about children's welfare. She regularly completes training to refresh her safeguarding knowledge. This includes how to identify when a child may be at risk of exposure to extreme views or actions. The childminder places an exceptionally high priority on teaching children how to keep safe. The regular fire evacuation drills enable them to learn how to protect themselves in the event of an emergency. The childminder has been particularly vigilant in providing a safe environment for the children and their families during the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY563642 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 10191146 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 2018. She operates all year around from 7.30am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, except for bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder holds an appropriate childcare qualification at level 3. 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 of training and of 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

17 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

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