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 are extremely happy and settled in the childminder's warm, welcoming home. They thoroughly enjoy their time with the childminder. They show that they feel safe and secure in her care. The childminder gets to know children and their individual personalities well. Children settle quickly. They build strong bonds with the childminder. The childminder is a positive role model. She sets clear boundaries and gives them lots of praise and encouragement. This helps to build their confidence and self-esteem. The childminder has a very calm manner. She uses sensitive techniques to manage children's behaviour.

p.2

The provision is good

Children enjoy each other's company. They are very well supported to share and take turns with resources. The childminder plans activities to extend these skills even further. For example, they enjoy making a pizza together. The childminder expects all children to be respectful, polite and kind to each other.

p.2

The provision is good

Children are confident talkers and happily talk to visitors. They have very good attitudes to learning. They are curious, inquisitive and keen to take part. Children explore and investigate nature as they take part in exciting woodland activities. This helps to support their physical and emotional well-being. Children gain the skills they will need for their eventual move to nursery and school.

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need to do better?

n The childminder gathers information from parents to help her to establish what children know and can do when they start. She plans interesting and exciting activities and outings that help children to build on their knowledge and skills. Children make very good progress in their learning. n The childminder skilfully supports children's language development. She extends their vocabulary as she introduces new words while they play. For example, when singing a song about a king, she talks about the 'sparkly' crown he is wearing on his head. Children thoroughly enjoy choosing items from the 'song bag' and singing along with the musical instruments. n Children develop very good early literacy skills. They show a love of books and enjoy snuggling up with the childminder while she reads stories. They listen attentively and turn the pages of the book. Children have many opportunities to develop their early mark-making skills as they happily draw with pencils and

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need to do better?

pens. n The childminder takes children to many places of interest to build on their experiences. For example, she visits the library and local historic buildings. Children go to the fruit farm to pick strawberries. They enjoy a train ride to visit a zoology museum. n The childminder supports children's independence extremely well. Children use

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need to do better?

2 July 2021 safety knives to cut up the vegetables for their pizza. At snack time, they confidently pour their drinks and peel their bananas. Children are becoming increasingly independent and manage their own personal care needs well. n The childminder is sensitive and responsive to children's needs. She promptly tends to younger children's care routines. She respectfully explains to them what she is intending to do before she changes their nappy. The childminder recognises when children are tired and provides a quiet place for them to rest. n The childminder works extremely well with parents. During the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic, she supported them in continuing their children's learning at home. For example, she shared books, resources and 'busy bags'. Parents describe the childminder as calm and caring. They say that their children love her. They appreciate the many wonderful opportunities they have to learn

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need to do better?

outdoors. n The childminder continually reflects on ways to improve her provision. Since her registration, she has adapted her way of working. For example, she has introduced an online system for recording information and children's achievements. This allows parents to easily access photographs and updates of what their children are doing. The childminder has also introduced forest-school activities, which the children have enjoyed during the COVID-19 pandemic. n The childminder has a good understanding of how children learn. She plans enjoyable and exciting activities that support their learning and development. However, occasionally, the childminder does not make the most of opportunities to encourage children to explore numbers and use counting during their play and routines.

p.3

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

p.3

Safeguarding

The childminder demonstrates a very good understanding of her role in safeguarding children. She knows the signs and symptoms that may indicate a child is at risk of harm. She has a comprehensive child protection policy, which she shares with parents. The childminder is confident with the local procedures for reporting any concerns about the safety and well-being of children in her care. She has a good knowledge of wider safeguarding issues, such as protecting children from extreme views and behaviours. Children are encouraged to keep safe, for example, by tidying toys away and sitting down when eating.

p.3

should:

n provide more opportunities for children to extend their understanding and enjoyment of early mathematics.

p.3

Setting details

Unique reference number EY551029 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 10174002 Type of provision Childminder

p.4

Registers

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

p.4

inspection

Total number of places 5 Number of children on roll 6 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

p.4

Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2017 and lives in Bishops Stortford. She operates from 8am to 3.30pm, Monday to Friday, during school term times only. 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

2 July 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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