Childminder in Hertfordshire

Overall effectiveness Outstanding

The quality of education Outstanding Behaviour and attitudes Outstanding Personal development Outstanding Leadership and management Outstanding Overall effectiveness at previous inspection Good

p.1

The provision is outstanding

Children thrive in the nurturing care of the childminder. They display remarkably high levels of confidence. Children are incredibly comfortable around visitors. They rush to greet them and talk excitedly about themselves and their families. Furthermore, children show genuine interest in others. They chat about their favourite snacks and film characters, and enquire about those of visitors and friends.

p.2

The provision is outstanding

The childminder places exceptionally sharp focus on children's communication and language development. She skilfully introduces new and unusual vocabulary in activities. Children are investigating water and ice. They observe how pom-poms are 'submerged' under the water and 'encased' in ice. The childminder expertly explains these meanings in age-appropriate terms. Children then construct their own sentences using these new words.

p.2

The provision is outstanding

Children engage deeply in all the wonderful learning opportunities the childminder provides. She expertly plans interesting and challenging activities based upon children's interests and next steps. She supports their rapid progress by engaging exceptionally well with children. The childminder encourages them to solve problems by breaking them down into smaller, well-sequenced tasks. When using water to melt ice, children order spoons to size. The childminder encourages them to explore which ones hold the most. From this, children deduce that the ice melts quicker when using the larger spoon.

p.2

need to do better?

n Children behave exceptionally well in the childminder's care. They are kind and considerate, offering help in tasks. During water play, children rush to help wipe up, placing rubbish in the correct dustbin afterwards. n Children demonstrate immensely high levels of curiosity in all activities. The childminder fully supports this by encouraging them to investigate their ideas further. Children have been using magnets in a fishing game. They wonder what other items their magnets will stick to. The childminder swiftly and skilfully adapts the activity and supports children to explore various materials. n The childminder provides meaningful opportunities for children to understand cultures and ways of life beyond their own. A family has recently left the setting and moved abroad. Children want to understand more about where they have moved to. They have done some research and made some beautiful leaf paintings, which are typical of the country their friends now live in.

p.2

need to do better?

n Children demonstrate extraordinarily high levels of independence. Young children take themselves to wash their hands on arrival and before meals and snacks. They gather their own plates and cutlery and set the table before

p.2

need to do better?

23 February 2022 unwrapping their healthy packed lunches. This prepares them well for the routines of school. n The childminder is highly skilled at extending children's learning. During an activity involving water, children notice the patterns and marks they can make on the tray. The childminder is swift in using water to write letters, which children immediately identify. She then encourages them to think of words beginning with the same sound, and further extends their learning by encouraging children to write letters and numbers that are significant to them. n Young children have exceptional awareness of how to keep themselves and others safe. They quickly highlight potential risks in situations. Impressively, they then explain the consequences as well as how risk can be avoided. For example, children are looking forward to eating their grapes and blueberries. They chat about how they will need to cut them lengthways to avoid choking.

p.2

need to do better?

n The childminder reflects diligently on all aspects of her practice. She seeks feedback from parents, children and professional agencies. The childminder then makes carefully considered changes to benefit children's learning experiences. For example, she recently introduced a 'show and tell' activity to support children's communication and further build on their already high levels of confidence. n Parents speak very highly of the childminder. They recognise the wonderful, high-quality learning opportunities she provides, which children recall with enthusiasm. Parents appreciate the exceptionally close and nurturing bonds the childminder establishes with children and the positive effect this has on their well-being. n The childminder continued to provide outstanding learning opportunities during the COVID-19 pandemic. She delivered resource packs and continued to monitor children's learning from these activities. This helped to ensure that children

p.3

need to do better?

continued to make excellent progress in their development.

p.3

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

p.3

Safeguarding

The childminder has robust knowledge of the signs and symptoms that may indicate a child is at risk of harm. She has strong knowledge of the procedure to follow if she has concerns about the welfare of a child. The childminder has comprehensive policies and procedures that she follows to keep children safe. She completes regular safeguarding and first-aid training to keep up to date with any changes in legislation. The childminder completes regular risk assessments of activities to support children's safety both in the setting and when on trips out.

p.3

Setting details

Unique reference number EY427182 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 10063630 Type of provision Childminder

p.4

Registers

Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register Day care type Childminder

p.4

inspection

Total number of places 6 Number of children on roll 7 Date of previous inspection 2 November 2015

p.4

Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2011 and lives in Abbots Langley, Hertfordshire. She operates all year round from 8am to 6pm, Monday to Thursday, except for bank holidays and family holidays.

p.4

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 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 the 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 the childminder discussed how the early years setting is organised. n The inspector held discussions with the childminder about the monitoring of learning and development in the setting, and tracked the progress of children.

p.4

Inspection activities

23 February 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.

p.4

Inspection activities

23 February 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.

p.5

Inspection activities

If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 1231, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk .

p.6

Inspection activities

You may reuse this information (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. To view this licence, visit www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/ , write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk

p.6

Inspection activities

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more information and updates: http://eepurl.com/iTrDn .

p.6

Inspection activities

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

p.6