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 thrive in the childminder's care. They demonstrate extremely high levels of attachment to her and display a very strong sense of belonging in the childminder's home. Children thoroughly enjoy themselves and develop high levels of self-esteem and positive attitudes to learning. Every toy and activity the childminder provides superbly supports children's interests and learning needs. Children quickly learn how to make toys play music and continually repeat their activity. The childminder talks confidently about why she encourages repetition. She states it builds connections in children's brains and this contributes to the excellent progress they make.

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The provision is outstanding

From an early age, children develop expert self-care skills and can independently manage their own personal needs. They persevere with tasks and take great delight in their own achievements, such as when dressing. The childminder continually boosts children's confidence as she consistently gives specific praise. Children flourish and demonstrate their strong self-esteem as they regularly give themselves a clap. They listen and respond very well to the childminder and their behaviour is excellent. Children develop strong emotional security because of her nurturing and kind nature.

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need to do better?

n During the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic, the dedicated childminder provided each child with a unique activity pack to use at home. She recorded herself sharing stories and rhymes so that children could see and hear her. This first-class contact helped to maintain children's secure attachments to the childminder. Consequently, children returned to her setting feeling exceedingly happy, confident and ready to learn. n The highly qualified childminder has first-rate knowledge of what children can already do, what they need to master next and how they like to learn. Meticulous detailed assessments inform her awe-inspiring curriculum. The childminder strengthens and extends children's knowledge through providing them with outstanding opportunities to learn and explore. n The childminder places great emphasis on giving children a voice. Young children, who cannot yet express themselves verbally, have many opportunities

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need to do better?

to choose. For example, the childminder shows them two pieces of fruit and respects whatever choice they make. Younger children begin to use their voice as every noise, utterance or word is responded to with enthusiasm. The childminder reports older children gain wonderful confidence and move on to school knowing how to express their own views and ideas. n The childminder places an exceptionally high priority on her partnership with parents. Parents state that they are extremely well informed about children's

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need to do better?

18 August 2021 care and progress and they know how to continue this at home. Parents have complete trust in the childminder and cannot praise her highly enough for how she supports their children and themselves. n The childminder provides beautifully created, interactive displays that entice children to investigate and explore. She successfully weaves mathematics and literacy into these. Stories come alive to children as they excitedly open boxes that contain animals they can see in books. Children successfully learn about space and shape as they return the animals to the boxes and listen to the superb mathematical language the childminder uses. n The childminder demonstrates a high level of personal ambition. Her ongoing self-evaluation is of the highest quality and enables her to constantly improve all aspects of her practice. The childminder is highly qualified and has an excellent commitment to continuous professional development. Her highly impressive

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need to do better?

training log demonstrates how she precisely targets her training to children's needs. This has a positive impact on children's learning and contributes to the superb progress they make. n The childminder expertly helps children to learn to understand their uniqueness and to respect difference. One way she does this is by using individual photograph books of children's families. Children quickly learn how families are different and are excited to see pictures of their favourite people. The childminder has even more plans to build on children's understanding of the diverse world. For example, she plans to take them on visits in the local community, such as to places of worship, and develop more wonderful photograph books with the children.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The childminder demonstrates an extensive knowledge of how to safeguard children. She is very efficient, highly organised and works relentlessly to keep abreast of the wider safeguarding remit through completing training and research. The childminder has comprehensive policies and procedures that she uses to meticulously support her outstanding practice. She shares these with parents to enable them to have the best possible knowledge of her role and responsibility to keep children safe. The childminder has a superb understanding of how to make contact with relevant agencies in her local area to help promote children's utmost safety.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY560333 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 10190553 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 3 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2018. She operates Monday to Friday from 8am until 6pm, all year round. The childminder holds a BA (Honours) degree in early years education. She is registered to provide funded early years education for children aged three and four years.

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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 that into account in her evaluation of the setting. n The inspector looked at the areas of the childminder's home that she uses with children and discussed how she operates her practice. n The inspector observed the childminder joining in activities with children and discussed the learning that was taking place with her. n A sample of policies and procedures was looked at by the inspector, which included documents relating to safeguarding, complaints and the suitability of household members. n The inspector took into account the verbal and written views of parents and discussed the childminder's reflections of her practice with her.

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Inspection activities

18 August 2021 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

18 August 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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