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 demonstrate they feel comfortable in this homely environment. They confidently investigate age-appropriate resources in the large, well-organised play area. Children enjoy numerous opportunities to learn outside of the setting. For example, they recall a recent visit to a local aerodrome where a pilot spent time chatting to them about his plane.

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The provision is good

Children have a strong bond with both the childminder and her assistant. They approach them for cuddles when tired or in need of reassurance. Young babies demonstrate they feel equally secure. They respond well to the childminder during play and interact confidently with other children and visitors.

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The provision is good

The childminder has high expectations of children's behaviour. Her consistent approach to behaviour management means that children are beginning to understand right from wrong. Children are polite towards one another. They demonstrate good manners with adults and their friends. The childminder and her assistant take every opportunity to role model positive behaviours. For example, they sit at the table with children during lunch. They encourage conversation and support children to use their cutlery properly.

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need to do better?

n The childminder is knowledgeable about how children learn. She observes children to establish their capabilities. The childminder then plans activities to support children's long-term progress. For example, she encourages development of fine motor skills with activities involving tweezers and play dough to support children's emerging writing skills. n Children are learning to become independent. Older children are encouraged to put on their own coats. They use the toilet and wash their hands without the need for help. These skills help prepare children for their transition to pre- school. n Children are developing a good understanding of healthy lifestyles. The childminder and her assistant provide nutritious snacks and meals, which the children help to prepare. Children make pizzas and salad for lunch. They chat with the childminder and her assistant about the healthy vegetables they are eating. n Children feel proud of their achievements, which are shared with families. When

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need to do better?

making sculptures in a play dough activity, photos of their creations were immediately sent to parents. The childminder and her assistant consistently praise children's efforts. They hang their drawings up for their friends and visitors to admire. n Parents speak highly of the childminder and her assistant. They value the

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need to do better?

14 September 2021 homely environment they provide and their nurturing approach with children. Parents also acknowledge the support the childminder gives the entire family. n The childminder and her assistant reflect regularly on all areas of their practice. They use their findings to make changes to support the needs of children in their care. The childminder is very focused on her development and that of her assistant. She completes numerous online and face-to-face training courses to keep up to date with important changes. The childminder also supports her assistant in accessing regular training. n The childminder has good knowledge of the children in her care. She communicates well with parents to gather vital information about their circumstances. The childminder uses this information to plan activities and learning opportunities to support children's development. However, she does not always allow children to continue activities beyond what she has planned, to

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need to do better?

extend their learning further. n The childminder and her assistant support children's development well in focused activities. They adapt elements to meet the learning needs of all children in their care. In a bear sorting activity, children use dice with numbers to select bears. Younger children enjoy the same activity but focus on sorting the bears into similar colours. However, the childminder does not make the same skilful adjustments during children's free play to fully extend most-able children's learning.

p.3

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

p.3

Safeguarding

The childminder has robust policies and procedures in place, which she follows to promote children's well-being. The childminder and her assistant both have good knowledge of the signs and symptoms that may indicate that a child is at risk of harm. They demonstrate a good understanding of the referral process and the need to escalate concerns in a timely manner. The childminder and her assistant undertake regular safeguarding training to support their knowledge of changes in legislation.

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should:

n support children's independent learning further by adopting a more flexible approach in planned activities n adapt teaching methods during spontaneous activities to extend the learning and development of most-able children.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY551747 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 10174041 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 14 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2017 and lives in Watford. She operates all year round from 7.30am to 5pm, Monday to Friday, except for bank holidays and family holidays.

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Inspection activities

n This was the first routine inspection the setting received since the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic began. The inspector discussed the impact of the pandemic with the setting and has taken that into account in their evaluation of the setting. n The inspector observed the quality of education to assess the impact on children's learning. n The inspector considered the views of parents by reviewing feedback letters. n The inspector and childminder completed a joint observation of an activity to assess the quality of teaching. n The inspector looked at relevant documents, including evidence of the suitability of all persons living at the premises. n The inspector held discussions with the childminder and her assistant at appropriate times throughout the inspection. n The inspector held discussions with the childminder about the monitoring of learning and development in the setting and tracked the experiences of two

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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

14 September 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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