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 have secure attachments to the childminder. The childminder is consistently calm and highly responsive to children's different needs. She is consistent with the messages she gives to children. Children behave very well at all times. They enjoy listening to their favourite stories as they sit close to the childminder. Children lift flaps and press buttons in books, interacting well with the childminder. She checks children's understanding by asking them questions.

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The provision is good

The childminder has a strong passion for music and singing. She plays soothing music in the morning as the children arrive. This helps children to feel safe and calm in the childminder's home. The childminder provides children with musical instruments. Children request their favourite songs to play and sing along to. The childminder teaches children nursery rhymes. Children request a favourite song about 'sleeping bunnies'. Young children learn to move their bodies, as well as join in with the words of the rhyme. This helps young children develop their language skills. Children have lots of opportunities to play and learn outdoors in the fresh air and to be physically active. They enjoy playing with sand and water out in the garden. The childminder takes children on regular walks to the local countryside and local farm.

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need to do better?

n The childminder gathers a range of information from parents when the children join the setting. She finds out information about children's routines, their likes and dislikes, and what they can do. She helps children to settle quickly and feel comfortable. n The childminder values parents as partners. She keeps parents well informed about their child's learning. The childminder shares daily feedback with parents and sends home regular newsletters. She welcomes parents to share information from home. n Children's self-esteem is well promoted and supported. When the childminder praises children for successfully making a sandcastle, they smile. The childminder gives children opportunities to make choices within their play, which promotes their self-confidence. n Children behave very well, including young children. They listen to the childminder and each other. Children are gently reminded by the childminder to

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need to do better?

share, by taking turns with a popular resource. n Parents value the service provided by the childminder. They comment she is 'a brilliant childminder, who provides a caring nurturing environment for children. She is great at finding out your child's interests and ours have always been very settled.' n The childminder reviews her provision. She has identified further training

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need to do better?

27 September 2021 opportunities for herself. For instance, she has identified training to help her provide opportunities for children to learn about the natural world. n The childminder is caring and kind. The children follow the daily routines and her instructions well. However, the childminder does not always encourage children to do things for themselves, to build their independence skills. n The childminder supports children's developing communication skills effectively. She encourages them to talk and respond to her as they play and learn. She provides lots of opportunities for singing and music. This helps children improve their language skills. Young children request the rhyme 'The wheels on the bus'. They enthusiastically join in with some of the words. n The childminder successfully supports children to develop communication skills, by being an excellent role model. She attentively listens to children and provides

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need to do better?

a narrative as they play and learn. This helps children make sense of what they are doing and widens their vocabulary. n Children make good progress in their learning. The childminder uses everyday experiences well to support children as they play and learn. For example, children learn about the concepts of wet/dry and full/empty as they fill buckets with sand. However, the childminder has not fully considered how planned activities could support children in their next steps for learning. n The childminder is a committed professional, who is passionate about supporting children to have the best possible start. The childminder has completed some training to enhance her existing knowledge.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

p.3

Safeguarding

The childminder provides a safe, secure and healthy environment for children. She can identify the possible signs of child abuse and understands how to report such concerns in order to protect children. The childminder assesses potential risks to children's safety in the home and on outings. She helps children learn about keeping safe, reminding them to hold on to the buggy when they are out walking.

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should:

n plan opportunities for children to become independent and learn self-care skills to do things for themselves n focus on helping children to achieve their next steps of development, to help them make the best possible progress.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY555210 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 10174702 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 5 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2017 and lives in Harpenden. She operates term time only from 8am to 6pm, Monday to Wednesday, except for bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder has qualified teacher status.

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Inspection activities

n This was the first routine inspection the setting received since COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic began. The inspector discussed the impact of the pandemic with the childminder and has taken this into account in her evaluation of the setting. n The childminder and the inspector completed a learning walk together to discuss the early years provision and aims of the curriculum. n The inspector and the childminder discussed and evaluated a learning activity together. n The inspector viewed a sample of documentation, including the suitability of household members. n The inspector spoke to parents and read written feedback to gather their views.

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Inspection activities

27 September 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

27 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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