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 are happy and display high levels of confidence. They are keen to help with daily tasks, such as preparing snack. Children are learning how to keep themselves safe and healthy. They describe knives as being 'sharp, like scissors' and use them correctly. Children understand the benefits of a healthy lifestyle. They explain how sugar in food is not good for their teeth and know to eat plenty of fruit and vegetables. Children know how to take turns and share. They are content in each other's company and spend prolonged periods in imaginative play. Children's behaviour is good.

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The provision is good

Children demonstrate a good understanding of the world. For example, they talk about the changes they see in autumn. Children display good speaking and listening skills as they discuss how leaves change colour and conkers fall from trees. Their dexterity and small-muscle skills are developing well. This is clearly evident as they skilfully use both hands to thread conkers on to strings. Children concentrate on their chosen tasks and are very pleased when they succeed.

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need to do better?

n During the first COVID-19 (coronavirus) national lockdown, the children did not attend the childminder's setting. The childminder sought ways she could support their learning effectively at home. She provided resources and activities for parents to use with their children. The childminder reports this helped children to not fall behind in their learning and they continued to make progress. n The childminder places a strong emphasis on children's health and well-being. A daily exercise routine is enjoyed by all. Children know to gently warm up their bodies with stretching exercises. They engage in aerobic exercise with enthusiasm and talk about how they feel their bodies getting warm. Children benefit from further exercise outside in the garden and on visits to parks. n The childminder gathers useful information from parents about what children can already do when they start at her setting. She successfully weaves what

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need to do better?

children need to learn next in exciting and challenging activities. The childminder's overall effective teaching helps children to build their skills and knowledge to support their future learning. She skilfully teaches children mathematics, such as by talking about 'halves' as they chop fruit. Parents are consistently encouraged to contribute information about their children's learning and development at home. n The childminder builds strong partnerships with other settings children attend. She regularly discusses children's development with their key persons. The childminder takes note of where there are any gaps in children's development. She works closely with key persons at other settings and they adopt the same strategies to enable gaps to be closed.

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need to do better?

11 October 2021 n Children's early literacy skills are developing well. They draw detailed pictures, such as recognisable people, and explain who each figure is. Younger children give meaning to the marks they make. Children look at words on pictures and understand that the words relate to what they can see. These activities help to prepare children for their future learning at school. n Parents speak positively about the childminder. They say that their children are happy and thrive in her care. The childminder regularly shares information with parents, which helps them to have a good understanding of their children's learning and development. n The childminder reflects on, and evaluates, some areas of her practice. For example, recent changes to her garden have enabled children to be more actively engaged in outdoor learning. The childminder incorporates the views of parents and children to help her drive improvement. She undertakes some

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need to do better?

training to help her to keep up to date on regulations. However, the childminder does not place a sharp enough focus on professional development to help her to develop her teaching skills to the highest levels.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The childminder has a comprehensive knowledge of safeguarding and child protection. She keeps up to date with child protection legislation through training courses and research. The childminder can identify the signs and symptoms which may indicate that a child is at risk of harm. She is also aware of who to contact if she is concerned about a child in her care. The childminder has a wide range of policies to support her good practice and promote children's safety and welfare.

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should:

n focus more precisely on professional development opportunities, to raise the quality of teaching and learning to an even higher level.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 2503492 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 10191794 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 4 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2019 and lives in Watford. She operates all year round from 7.45am to 5.45pm, Monday to Thursday, except for bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder holds an appropriate qualification at level 3.

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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 her evaluation of the setting. n The inspector and the childminder looked at the areas of the childminder's home that are used with children and discussed how she operates her practice. n The inspector observed the childminder joining in activities with children and discussed the learning that was taking place with her. n A sample of policies and procedures was looked at by the inspector, including documents relating to the suitability of household members, safeguarding and complaints. n The inspector discussed the needs of individual children with the childminder and talked with her about the progress they are making. n The inspector took account of parents' views and discussed the childminder's

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Inspection activities

11 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

11 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

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/ofsted

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