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 Good

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The provision is good

Children demonstrate that they enjoy their time with the childminder and her assistants. They are happy, settled and enjoy the company of their friends. Children develop their concentration skills as they listen to the childminder read a story. They show an interest in the illustrations, and older children are eager to answer questions about the importance of recycling. Children learn about mathematical concepts, such as 'full', 'half full' and 'empty'. They demonstrate their counting skills as they carefully count pieces of banana in their bowl at snack time.

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The provision is good

Children are encouraged to develop their hand-to-eye coordination skills. They learn to thread and stack bricks on top of one another. Children enjoy using tools such as spanners to screw and unscrew nuts and bolts. Older children are encouraged to experiment in order to discover which direction they need to turn the screws to be successful. They confidently tell the childminder, 'I'm an expert at fixing things.' Children receive praise for their efforts and achievements. This develops their self-confidence and motivates them to continue to persevere. Children learn to follow the rules of board games and solve problems as they complete puzzles. Children enjoy playing with the toy dinosaurs, and correctly say some of their names, such as 'triceratops'.

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need to do better?

n The childminder provides a welcoming, homely environment to the children in her care. Children are treated with respect and form a close relationship with the childminder and her assistant. They benefit from their kind and caring approach, and demonstrate that they feel safe and secure. These positive interactions support children's emotional well-being effectively. n The childminder knows the children well and structures the curriculum to support and build on what they know and can do. The childminder and her assistant complete ongoing observations of the children's achievements and evaluate this information to monitor their achievements and plan for what they need to learn next. This supports children to make good progress. n The childminder and her assistant support children effectively to develop their communication and language skills. Younger children are encouraged to use their developing vocabulary to form short sentences. Older children

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need to do better?

communicate with growing confidence. They answer questions and talk about what they are doing. Children enjoy singing familiar songs, especially those with actions, such as 'Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes'. n Children are taught the importance of being kind and respectful to others. They are encouraged to share, take turns, respond to instructions and use good manners. Children learn about keeping themselves safe. For example, they learn how to cross the road safely and why they should not run indoors.

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need to do better?

14 October 2021 n Children learn how to keep themselves healthy. The childminder provides a good range of healthy snacks and meals and adheres to children's dietary requirements. Children understand why it is important to wash their hands thoroughly and brush their teeth regularly. The childminder provides a variety of opportunities for fresh air and physical play. Children run in the woods and walk through local cornfields. n Children are supported to learn about other cultures, traditions and beliefs. They celebrate Diwali, Independence Day and Chinese New Year. This broadens children's understanding of the world around them. The childminder also provides opportunities for the children to explore their community. n The childminder works in partnership with parents. She obtains information from parents when their child joins the setting, which supports continuity in their care and development. The childminder regularly shares information with parents

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need to do better?

about their child's progress and achievements, and makes suggestions about how activities could be continued at home. n Children participate in a range of activities which are guided by the childminder and her assistant. These are aimed at enhancing children's knowledge and assessing their development. However, when children begin to select resources and activities for themselves, they are not always given sufficient time to explore and develop their own play and ideas. n The childminder has completed the required mandatory training, which supports her to promote children's safety and welfare. However, she has not fully considered more-focused training opportunities to help her to promote children's learning to the highest level. This includes developing her assistants' knowledge of the curriculum, including its implementation across all areas of a child's development.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The childminder is able to recognise indicators of abuse and neglect. She knows the children well and understands how to recognise any concerns, such as changes to their behaviour and appearance. The childminder and her assistant complete regular training to keep their safeguarding knowledge up to date. They both understand the importance of taking prompt action to help to protect children from harm. The childminder and her assistant supervise the children well and ensure that they are cared for in a secure environment. The childminder has a range of policies and procedures in place to support the management of the provision, and knows when to make a notification to Ofsted.

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should:

14 October 2021 n improve professional development opportunities to further enhance the implementation of the curriculum to support all children to achieve to the highest level n extend the opportunities that enable all children to explore and develop their own play and ideas.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY483700 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 10209346 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 12 Number of children on roll 7 Date of previous inspection 5 October 2018

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2015 and lives in Knebworth. She operates all year round from 8am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, except for bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder works with assistants.

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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 inspector observed children taking part in activities with the childminder and her assistant, and assessed the impact on children's learning. 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 from written feedback provided at the inspection.

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Inspection activities

14 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

14 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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