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 enjoy the time they spend in this warm, homely setting. The childminder provides a nurturing environment, where children feel safe and valued. They regularly approach her for cuddles and affection. Children demonstrate high levels of confidence and perseverance in all activities. The childminder supports these characteristics by providing consistent praise and encouragement. For example, children proudly complete a new puzzle independently with just verbal support from the childminder.

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The provision is good

Children make good progress in the setting. The childminder has a strong understanding of how children learn. She plans exciting learning opportunities based on children's interests. She is skilful at adapting and extending activities to meet the needs of all children in her care. For example, children have mastered colour recognition in a Halloween activity. The childminder then supports them to identify the initial letter sounds of the colours.

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The provision is good

The childminder places a sharp focus on developing children's language skills. She engages children in high-quality interactions and supports them in establishing a wide vocabulary. For example, children investigate the natural objects collected on a recent walk in the woods. The childminder encourages the use of unusual, descriptive language to identify the items.

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need to do better?

n The childminder has a good understanding about how children learn. She provides challenging activities based upon children's interests. Activities are regularly revisited to assess their impact on children's learning and development. n The childminder adapts activities well to meet the needs of individual children. In baking activities, older children develop mathematical language by weighing out ingredients. In the same activity, young children enjoy sensory play by exploring the various textures. n Children have access to a wide range of interesting and age-appropriate resources in the setting. The childminder facilitates children's learning by engaging well with them in all activities. Children also go on trips to the zoo and theme parks with the childminder. This supports their understanding of the world around them. n The childminder has high expectations of children's behaviour. She is a good role

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need to do better?

model, always demonstrating good manners. The childminder is kind and respectful and encourages these behaviours in children. Children know to look after the toys, so everyone can enjoy playing with them. They automatically tidy up after activities and thank the childminder for their meals and snacks. n Children have a good understanding of keeping themselves safe. They know

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need to do better?

3 November 2021 when and why to wash their hands and manage all hygiene routines independently. Children are developing an understanding of managing risks. In a café role-play activity, they explain they must be careful pouring the tea, as it is hot. n Children have a good understanding of healthy lifestyles. The childminder provides a variety of home-cooked meals and snacks. Children explain that making healthy choices makes them strong. They also enjoy walks to the woods and trips to the swimming pool. n The childminder works hard to maintain effective means of communication with families and other settings. This enables her to establish gaps in learning and areas of development. The childminder then plans activities based around children's interests to fill these gaps. This supports children to make good progress. n Parents speak highly of the childminder. They comment on how their children have consistently been meeting all early learning goals since in her care. Parents

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need to do better?

also value the close bond their children have formed with the childminder and her family. They acknowledge that this has enabled children to flourish emotionally. n The childminder reflects regularly on the care she offers. She makes changes to adapt to the needs of all families. However, she does not always reflect thoroughly on all aspects of her childminding practice. As a result, she is not always swift to identify areas for ongoing improvement.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The childminder has a good understanding of the signs and symptoms that could indicate a child is at risk of harm. She knows the procedure to follow when raising concerns and the importance of completing this in a timely manner. The childminder completes regular safeguarding and first-aid training, in accordance with local authority requirements. She completes risk assessments to ensure children are safe in the setting and when on trips out.

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should:

n implement effective methods of evaluation to identify areas of improvement within practice.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY558867 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 10190849 Type of provision Childminder

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Registers

Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register Day care type Childminder

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inspection

Total number of places 6 Number of children on roll 2 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2018 and lives in Watford. She operates Monday to Friday, all year round. Sessions are from 7am to 6pm. The childminder offers weekends and overnight care.

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Inspection activities

n This was the first routine inspection the provider received since the COVID-19 pandemic. The inspector discussed the impact of the pandemic with the setting and has taken that into account in their evaluation of the setting. n The inspector observed the quality of education to assess the impact on children's learning. n The inspector considered the views of parents by reviewing feedback letters. n The inspector and childminder completed a joint observation of an activity to assess the quality of teaching. n The inspector looked at relevant documents, including evidence of the suitability of all persons living at the premises. n The inspector and childminder discussed how the early years setting is organised. n The inspector held discussions with the childminder at appropriate times throughout the inspection. n The inspector held discussions with the childminder about the monitoring of learning and development in the setting and tracked the progress of children.

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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

3 November 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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