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

The childminder creates a nurturing, homely environment. Children show that they feel happy and safe. They develop close relationships with the childminder and her family. This helps children to feel happy and settled. The childminder supports the needs and interests of children of different ages effectively. Children enjoy their time with the childminder. She is an excellent role model and treats children with kindness and respect. The childminder recognises that some children may need extra support following the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic. She sensitively reminds them to use gentle hands and kind words. Children behave well and understand boundaries and expectations. The childminder gives them lots of praise and encouragement to reward them for sharing and taking turns. This helps to boost their confidence and self-esteem.

p.2

The provision is good

Children develop strong friendships and play happily together. They eagerly explore the toys and the activities that are provided. They love to use the pots and the pans to cook their dinner in the role play kitchen. They quickly develop their confidence and independence. For example, younger children are keen to feed themselves at mealtimes, and older children are beginning to use the toilet independently and wash their hands. They gain useful skills that prepare them well for future learning.

p.2

need to do better?

n The childminder has worked hard since her registration to successfully develop her practice. She is very well organised and provides a safe environment where children can play, learn and develop. n Activities are carefully planned and sequenced to meet the needs of individual children. For example, all the children become engrossed in a game where they use tweezers and spoons to put pom-poms down tubes. Children confidently identify the colours and the numbers on the tubes. Younger children persevere to use the tweezers. This helps to develop their small muscles in preparation for early writing. n The childminder skilfully promotes children's communication and language development. For example, she talks to children about what they are doing, sings songs and reads stories to them. She supports children who speak English as an additional language by clearly modelling words so that toddlers can copy them.

p.2

need to do better?

n The childminder promotes thorough personal hygiene routines to keep children healthy and safe. She supervises children as they wash their hands before meals. Children are given time to eat comfortably and are encouraged to develop their independence skills. n Children have daily opportunities to develop their physical skills and get plenty of

p.2

need to do better?

26 August 2021 fresh air. They enjoy playing in the childminder's well-resourced garden. They go on nature trails and explore the woods. They thoroughly enjoy outings to the park. n Children go on a range of outings in the local community. For example, they attend events at the local school and visit the shops to buy ingredients for their cakes. They enjoy taking sweets to the local home for elderly people at Christmas. n Older children's interest in football has increased since watching the recent Euro 2020 tournament. They thoroughly enjoy developing their ball skills in the childminder's large garden and at the park. n The childminder regularly reflects on her provision. She is keen to make full use of the training and development opportunities available to extend her practice even further. For example, she would like to access training to help her to further support children who speak English as an additional language.

p.2

need to do better?

n The childminder gathers information from parents about their children's care needs before they start attending. However, she does not consistently obtain detailed information about children's capabilities, to help her closely monitor children's progress. n Parents are very happy with the childminder's provision. They have daily discussions with the childminder, and they can view their children's achievements online. However, the childminder does not regularly share what parents can do at home, in order to extend children's learning and development.

p.3

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

p.3

Safeguarding

The childminder has a very good understanding of her responsibility to protect children. She confidently talks about the signs that could indicate a child is at risk of harm. She knows the local referral procedures to follow if she is concerned about a child. The childminder attends regular safeguarding training to keep up to date with current safeguarding requirements. She is also aware of other child protection issues, such as radicalisation and online safety. The childminder ensures her assistant understands his responsibility to help keep children safe.

p.3

should:

n gather more-detailed information from parents about children's capabilities when they begin attending, to help clearly establish starting points and to monitor children's progress even more precisely from the start n build on the positive relationships already in place with parents to support them to extend their children's learning at home so that they can make the best possible progress.

p.3

Setting details

Unique reference number EY553176 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 10174662 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 5 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

p.4

Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2018 and lives in Watford. She operates from Monday to Friday, all year around. Sessions are from 7am to 6pm. The childminder provides overnight care. She also provides funded early years education for two-, three- and four-year-old children.

p.4

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 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 the 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.

p.5

Inspection activities

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

p.5

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 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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