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

The young children the childminder currently cares for demonstrate that they feel happy and safe in her care. They are constantly busy, engaging well in independent play and learning. Children enjoy playing with dolls. They use their hands effectively to undo fasteners and hand clothes to the childminder to put back on the dolls. Children concentrate well on this repetitive play, which helps to develop their thinking and physical skills. Children show that they are beginning to understand feelings and emotions. For example, when the childminder tells them the dolls they are playing with might be sad, children spontaneously give them a cuddle.

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The provision is good

Children are learning how to make their needs known through using babble and gestures. They look intently at the childminder as they vocalise and wait for her to reply. The childminder is highly responsive. This helps young children to understand how to take turns in conversations. At other times, children use actions to make their needs known. For example, they go to the high chair when they want to have a drink or a snack. The childminder feels it is important for children to learn to understand their own bodily needs.

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need to do better?

n The childminder gets to know children well when they start to attend. She finds out from parents what children know and can already do. This helps the childminder to know where children are in their development and to build on their skills. The childminder observes children closely. She uses her observations and assessments to identify what children need to learn next. Children are making good progress in their learning. n Children are constantly active. They enjoy the open space they have in the childminder's home. They move around with purpose and enjoy physical activity, such as rolling balls to the childminder. Children enjoy spending time outdoors. The childminder makes good use of parks to provide a wide range of opportunities for exercise and exploration. She helps children to learn about different people and the community, such as by visiting the local market. n The childminder provides opportunities for children to begin to understand

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need to do better?

mathematics and literacy. Young children listen to the sequencing of numbers as the childminder counts the blocks in towers they build. They enjoy choosing books and explore how to make sounds by pressing buttons. The childminder is aware of how to build on children's interests, such as by noticing that the young children are now able to concentrate on listening to a whole story. n The childminder bases much of her teaching on the Montessori approach to education. She feels this supports children to be self-reliant and independent. Children know where the toys are that they want to use and can easily reach

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need to do better?

12 January 2022 them. At mealtimes, children can access their own utensils from the designated kitchen cupboard. These skills help children to become independent individuals and prepare them well for school. n Parents speak positively about the childminder. They state that she gets to know children well and they settle with her very quickly. Parents are pleased with the progress their children are making. The childminder actively encourages parents to share with her what children are doing and learning at home. This helps to promote continuity in their development. n The childminder networks with other childminders. They offer each other peer support and hold professional discussions. The childminder reflects on her practice and looks for ways to continually improve. She undertakes mandatory training, such as first aid. However, more recently, she has not extended her professional development opportunities, to help her to raise her knowledge and

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need to do better?

the quality of her teaching to an even higher level.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The childminder has a good understanding of how to recognise any signs that children may be at risk of harm or extremist behaviour. She knows how to contact relevant agencies in her local area, to seek advice or to make referrals. The childminder has a clear safeguarding policy in place. This contains information on the use of mobile phones and photos. The childminder shares her policies with parents to help them to know how she endeavours to safeguard children.

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should:

n engage in further professional development opportunities, to help increase knowledge and raise the quality of teaching to an even higher standard.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY558389 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 10190235 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 1 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2018 and lives in St Albans. She operates all year round from 8am until 6pm, Monday to Friday, except for bank holidays and family holidays.

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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 her evaluation of the setting. n The inspector looked at the areas of the childminder's home that she uses 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. They also discussed the needs of individual children and talked about the progress they are making. n A sample of policies and procedures was looked at by the inspector, which included documents relating to the suitability of household members, safeguarding and complaints. n The inspector took account of the written views of parents and discussed the childminder's reflections of her practice with her.

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Inspection activities

12 January 2022 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

12 January 2022 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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