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 enjoy their time with the childminder. They show that they feel safe, settled and happy in her home. Young children display a strong sense of belonging. They are confident and excited to explore the wonderful variety of toys. The childminder is caring and attentive to their needs. She follows young children's home routines, which helps them to settle quickly. Children thrive in the care of this nurturing and attentive childminder.

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The provision is good

Children are happy and enthusiastic learners. They are fascinated by animals and enjoy their visits to the farm. They persevere as they work out how to fit the animal shapes in the puzzle. They have great fun making animal noises with the childminder. She gives them lots of praise, which helps to boost their confidence and self-esteem. Children learn simple house rules, such as the importance of being kind to each other, sharing and taking turns.

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The provision is good

The childminder plans activities that she knows children will enjoy. For example, younger children enjoy playing with balls. They practice their throwing and catching skills in the garden. The childminder knows when to join in, which adds to children's enjoyment. Children, including those who have recently joined the childminder, make very good progress from their starting points.

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need to do better?

n The childminder gathers information from parents about what their children can already do when they start attending. She plans a variety of activities that reflect their interests and stages of development. Children develop a love of books and enjoy listening to stories. n The childminder identifies any gaps in children's learning. She plans activities to quickly address them. She pays particular attention to developing children's speech and language. For example, she introduces a wide range of words during their play. Children love singing familiar songs and rhymes. The childminder uses these opportunities to enhance children's developing vocabulary. n Activities and resources are adapted to meet the interests of the children attending. For example, the childminder notices that some children are fascinated by dinosaurs. They thoroughly enjoy looking at pictures of them in books. Children show delight as they stamp their feet on the ground like

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need to do better?

dinosaurs. n The childminder encourages children to develop their mathematical understanding at every opportunity. Children learn to count, recognise numbers and explore colours. They concentrate well as they make towers with building bricks. The childminder extends their learning by encouraging them to count the bricks.

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need to do better?

19 July 2021 n Children gain a good understanding of healthy lifestyles. The childminder encourages them to follow good hygiene routines, such as regular handwashing. She prepares healthy and nutritious meals. Children enjoy playing outdoors and benefit from being in the fresh air. They thoroughly enjoy playing in the childminder's garden. They demonstrate their skills as they throw balls and negotiate obstacles using the ride-on toys. n Parents are very happy with the childminder's provision. They describe the childminder as being kind, caring and compassionate. They appreciate how the childminder keeps the children's routines as close to home as possible. They comment that communication is very good, with regular photographs and updates. Parents say they would highly recommend the childminder. n The childminder is committed to providing a high-quality service. She reflects on her practice and identifies areas to develop. For example, she has reorganised

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need to do better?

her environment to meet the needs of the differing ages of children she cares for. This enables all children to access the resources, promoting their individual interests and learning. n The childminder ensures that she completes all statutory training. She attends regular training to keep her knowledge of safeguarding and first aid up to date. However, she has not considered further continual professional development opportunities to strengthen her existing knowledge and teaching skills. n The childminder develops very good partnerships with parents. However, partnerships with other early years settings that children also attend are not fully established to further support continuity in their care and learning.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The childminder is fully aware of her responsibilities to protect children. She has a very good understanding of local safeguarding procedures and how to report any concerns. She is aware of wider issues that can affect children, such as extreme views and behaviours. The childminder ensures that her safeguarding knowledge is current. She completes training and accesses information online. She has a range of written policies, which are shared with parents. Children are closely supervised as they play and they learn how to manage risks themselves. For example, they learn how to climb the steps safely in the childminder's garden.

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should:

n build upon professional development opportunities to strengthen existing knowledge and further enhance the quality of teaching n establish partnerships and exchange information with other settings that children attend to fully support continuity in their care and learning.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY558919 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 10190960 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 5 Number of children on roll 2 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2018 and lives in Stevenage. She operates all year round from 7.30am until 5.30pm, 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 (coronavirus) pandemic began. The inspector discussed the impact of the pandemic with the childminder and has taken this 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.

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Inspection activities

n The inspector took account of the views of parents from written feedback provided.

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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

19 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

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/ofsted

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