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 have an extremely enjoyable time at the childminder's warm and welcoming home. The childminder gives them excellent support and reassurance to help them settle happily. Children are encouraged to be kind, courteous and respectful to others. As a result, they readily take turns, share resources and are extremely polite. Children display high levels of curiosity as they play in the childminder's garden. For example, they confidently use magnifying glasses to observe insects. They develop excellent observational skills as they use binoculars to search for birds in the trees. They are enthralled as they watch a spider making its web.

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The provision is outstanding

Children flourish in the childminder's care. She is an excellent role model and children's behaviour is exemplary. Young children listen intently and respond to instructions in the stimulating and language-rich environment. Children extend their vocabulary through captivating stories, songs and conversations. They become extremely confident speakers and listeners. For example, they happily introduce themselves to visitors. Young children demonstrate high levels of perseverance as they master new tasks, such as putting on their shoes. All children are given the best possible start to their early education.

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need to do better?

n The childminder has worked extremely hard since her registration to develop her excellent provision. She is very well qualified and has a wealth of experience of looking after children. She diligently monitors children's progress to identify any gaps in their learning and development. She skilfully uses this information to focus her activities on supporting all children to make outstanding progress. n Children have exciting opportunities to learn about how to care for living things and the environment. For example, they become fascinated by a story about rescuing sea creatures from an ocean full of rubbish. The childminder provides an activity where they rescue their own sea creatures from the plastic items in a water tray. These valuable, hands-on experiences help to support their understanding of how pollution can harm sea life. n Children listen attentively and concentrate extremely well for their age and stage

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need to do better?

of development. They develop a deep love of books and reading. Older children are beginning to link letters and sounds. For example, when playing with the farm animals outside, they look for the picture of a pig on the fence. They proudly point to the picture and the letter 'p' for pig. n The childminder encourages children's interest in early mathematics from a young age. She skilfully incorporates the use of numbers into everyday conversation and play. For example, young children use small sticks as candles on their cakes made out of play dough. They know that they need one more

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need to do better?

22 September 2021 stick to make three candles on their birthday cake. n Children learn excellent practices to promote a safe and healthy lifestyle. The childminder's garden provides them with a wealth of opportunities to learn outdoors and be physically active in the fresh air. Children explore healthy foods as they cook with the childminder, and they relish the nutritious meals they make for their lunch. n Parents describe the childminder's provision as being 'absolutely perfect'. They feel that their children are receiving 'the best provision they could possibly have'. The childminder gives parents superb support to continue their children's learning at home. For example, children have a 'busy bag' to take home with activities linked to their individual needs and interests. This helps to engage parents in their children's development. n Children thoroughly enjoy making marks with the broad range of early writing

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need to do better?

resources. For example, they love to 'paint' the fence with water and use natural items for painting pictures. They enjoy activities where they use tweezers to pick up tiny objects. This helps to strengthen their fingers in readiness for early writing. n Children have extremely high levels of confidence and self-esteem. The childminder consistently praises them for their achievements. They develop a real sense of pride in their learning. Children fondly recall their experiences with the childminder as they look at photos together. For example, they proudly explain how they made poppy wreaths and placed them on the local cenotaph. The childminder teaches children to be respectful and to recognise the people in the community who help us. n The childminder is extremely committed to maintaining her excellent practice. She regularly gathers the views of parents and children and uses their feedback to provide exceptional provision. The childminder is keen to make full use of all

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need to do better?

training and development opportunities available. She continuously searches for new ideas to enhance her provision even further.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The childminder has an excellent understanding of all aspects of safeguarding. She frequently attends training to ensure that she keeps up to date with new legislation. The childminder confidently identifies signs and symptoms which may indicate a child is at risk. She knows how to report concerns to the relevant agencies. She fully understands how to identify and respond to signs of potential radicalisation and extremism. The childminder is committed to ensuring that children have a safe and healthy lifestyle. Her robust policies and procedures are implemented exceptionally well, including those relating to children's welfare during the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY559748 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 10190614 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 4 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2018 and lives in Waltham Cross, Hertfordshire. She operates during school term time from 7.30am to 6pm, Monday to Thursday. 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 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 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 and from their written

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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

22 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

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