Bailey, Michelle

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 are happy, secure and confident. They benefit from the childminder's skills in working with children of different ages and ensuring that all feel valued and included. This supports children in appreciating the needs of others and learning appropriate social skills. For example, when younger children play a board game, they use skills they have learned from playing with the older children. They take turns, observe the rules of the game, listen to their friends and offer encouragement.

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The provision is good

The childminder sensitively considers the effects of the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic lockdowns. For example, she recorded stories and sent these to children, which helped them to maintain contact and feel settled on their return. Children are kind and considerate towards one another. They happily help with tidying up and understand daily routines, such as taking turns to stand on the step to wash their hands. Children learn about keeping safe. For instance, young children explain why they need to hold hands or hold on to the pushchair when out. They state that only the childminder can open the door when they are all ready to leave. Children practise and develop their physical skills. They carefully walk along a low balance bar and hold their arms out to steady themselves.

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need to do better?

n The childminder reviews her practice and looks at areas she can improve. She completes further training to maintain a good understanding of childcare practice and of the requirements she must meet. n Children enjoy many outings and the childminder conscientiously ensures that she makes good use of these to promote children's learning. For example, when visiting a parkland area, they take paints with them. Children find natural tools, such as sticks, to paint with. Opportunities such as these help to promote children's creativity and prepare them for learning to write. n Children are curious about the world around them. They regularly visit local amenities and places of interest. This supports them in gaining an understanding of their community and sparks their interest in the wider world. n The childminder monitors children's progress and makes sure that no child falls behind in their learning. She understands each child's development and has a

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need to do better?

clear knowledge of what they need to learn next. She offers a range of play opportunities that support children in taking these next steps in their learning. For example, children collect conkers and extend their mathematical knowledge as they count and weigh them. n Children develop new skills and the childminder ensures that they have time to practise these. For example, children name colours as they sort coloured pasta. They later play a game where they use their knowledge as they fit coloured dots

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need to do better?

7 October 2021 into dinosaur-shaped boards. n The childminder builds on children's love of books. They enjoy choosing books and sharing these with the childminder and their friends or sitting independently to look at them. After reading a favourite book, children act this out and make a rocket like the one illustrated. n Children demonstrate good communication skills. The childminder speaks clearly and encourages them to develop their vocabulary. For example, when playing with toy food, she helps children to describe a 'juicy red tomato'. n Young children develop some independence skills. For example, they pour their drinks at snack time. However, the childminder does not consistently support this and sometimes does things for children, such as putting on their coats and drying their hands. n Parents praise the childminder and feel that she supports children in learning through play. They say that she communicates well with them and helps them to

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need to do better?

extend their children's learning. For example, children choose books to share at home. n Children learn about keeping themselves healthy. For instance, they learn about good oral hygiene as they play with a role-play dentist set. They examine teeth, pretend to clean them and talk about the importance of this. n The childminder generally interacts well with children and helps them to extend their play. However, on occasion, she does not make the most of opportunities that support children in working things out for themselves and developing their critical-thinking skills.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

p.3

Safeguarding

The childminder has a good understanding of her responsibilities in promoting children's welfare. She ensures that she completes regular training to help keep her knowledge of safeguarding up to date. The childminder knows how to recognise any concerns about children's welfare and report these to the appropriate agency. She understands how to identify risks associated with exposure to extreme views and practices. The childminder recognises the possible dangers associated with use of the internet and takes effective action to protect children. She helps them to understand how to access the internet safely.

p.3

should:

n offer children further opportunities that support them in thinking things through and finding their own solutions to the questions and problems that arise during play n extend the opportunities that support younger children in developing their

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY559934 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 10190484 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 7 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2018 and lives in Hemel Hempstead. She operates all year round from 7.30am to 6pm, Monday to Thursday, except for bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder holds an appropriate qualification at level 3. She provides funded early education for two-, 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 inspector observed activities, inside and outside, and assessed the impact these have on children's learning. She had a tour of the home with the childminder to discuss and understand how the early years provision is organised. n The childminder and the inspector reviewed an activity together. The inspector talked with children at appropriate times throughout the inspection. n The inspector viewed relevant documentation, including safeguarding procedures and evidence of the suitability of household members. n The inspector talked with parents and considered their views.

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Inspection activities

7 October 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

7 October 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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