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 Outstanding

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The provision is good

Children are happy and settle quickly in the childminder's care. They demonstrate that they feel safe and secure. Younger children display confidence and babies smile and wave their arms to show their enjoyment as they play. They develop close relationships with one another. Younger children learn to be kind and respectful to babies. Children are keen to learn and show an interest in the activities and toys provided. Babies develop their physical and hand-to-eye coordination skills as they learn to pick up and explore different shaped objects. Younger children enjoy role play. They pretend to make and share cups of tea, cake and different fruits with the childminder. Children are praised for their achievements, which motivates them to continue at their chosen activity.

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The provision is good

Younger children develop their early speaking skills. They are introduced to new words associated with their play, such as the names of different vegetables and fruits. Younger children are encouraged to 'roar' like a dinosaur as they handle the dinosaur figures. Children learn to sing familiar songs and rhymes, and particularly enjoy those with actions. They enthusiastically jump up and down and pretend to be bunnies. The childminder acknowledges babies' gestures and sounds. Younger children enjoy sharing books with the childminder. They learn to handle these carefully, listen to short stories and enjoy looking at the illustrations on each page. This supports children's early literacy development effectively.

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need to do better?

n The childminder knows the children well and provides a curriculum that builds on what they already know. She follows children's interests and supports their play. The childminder completes observations of the children and monitors their progress to identify any gaps in their learning. Children make good progress in their learning. n The childminder provides children with a warm, welcoming environment. Children develop strong attachments with the childminder, who joins in their play. They confidently approach the childminder for a cuddle and support when needed. This supports the children's emotional development effectively. n The childminder completes mandatory training that supports her ability to keep children safe. For example, she has a current paediatric first-aid certificate and updates her child protection training. However, the childminder has not yet considered more focused training opportunities to help promote children's

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need to do better?

learning to the highest level. n Children enjoy participating in activities around the local community and surrounding areas, which broadens their range of experiences. They learn about wild animals during visits to the zoo, feed animals at the farm, visit parks and enjoy visiting soft-play centres. Children make new friends when they attend

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need to do better?

9 November 2021 local toddler groups. This supports their social development as they learn to mix and join in activities with other children. n The childminder develops positive relationships with parents. She obtains information from them when their child joins her, which supports continuity in children's care and development. The childminder regularly shares information with parents about their child's progress and achievements, and shares photographs of the children participating in activities. Parents comment positively about the childminder and say they are pleased with the care and learning opportunities provided for their children. n Overall, the childminder promotes the good health of the children in her care. Children enjoy daily fresh air and take part in physical play activities. They participate in activities which support them to learn about the importance of regularly brushing their teeth. However, while the childminder regularly wipes

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need to do better?

children's runny noses to minimise the spread of infection, she does not always wash their hands before meals. n Children are provided with a good range of freshly cooked, nutritious meals. They enjoy their food, sit appropriately and develop good self-care skills, such as learning to eat with a knife and fork. However, the childminder does not always remember to ensure fresh drinking water is accessible to the children.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The childminder keeps her child protection knowledge up to date through regular training. She is aware of how to identify and report any concerns regarding the children in her care. This includes wider safeguarding knowledge, such as radicalisation and keeping children safe online. The childminder supervises the children and ensures that her home environment is safe and secure.

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should:

n improve professional development opportunities to further enhance the implementation of the curriculum, to support all children to achieve to the highest level n strengthen daily practice that supports the promotion of children's good health, for example by regularly offering fresh drinking water and frequent handwashing.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY394064 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 10213589 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 15 December 2016

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2009 and lives in Northchurch, Berkhamsted. She operates all year round from 7.30am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, except for bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder holds an appropriate childcare qualification at level 2.

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Inspection activities

n This was the first routine inspection the childminder received since the COVID- 19 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 assessed the impact on children's learning. n The inspector took account of the views of parents by speaking to them and from written feedback provided at the inspection.

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Inspection activities

9 November 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

9 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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