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 play in a safe, clean, and welcoming home. They have formed very close relationships with the childminder and enjoy her company. Children giggle with the childminder when she engages in a game of peekaboo and are confident to ask for her help when needed. The childminder helps children to feel settled and valued. For example, she has ensured a family photo album is available for children to look at when they wish to. This includes family members who live in other countries.

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The provision is good

Children are keen to have a go in activities and show curiosity when introduced to new textures and materials, such as compost and oats as part of a farm activity. They enjoy playing with water, washing dolls and filling and emptying different containers. The childminder allows them ample time to explore and develop their own thoughts and ideas, such as how they want a train track to be built. Children welcome stories being read to them, brought to life using props. They excitedly hop like a bunny and make animal noises linked to the story. The childminder takes children out into the community where they visit places of interest, such as a farm, to broaden their learning experiences.

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need to do better?

n The childminder carefully considers children's interests when providing toys and resources and knows what they enjoy playing with. This helps children to settle well and motivates them to play and learn. The childminder consistently reviews children's progress and thinks about what they need to learn next. n Children are consistently helped to understand behaviour boundaries, such as sitting down when eating. Children show that they understand the daily routines. The childminder is a positive role model and instils the use of good manners, such as please and thank you. Children receive meaningful praise for their achievements. n The childminder teaches children to be independent from an early age. She helps to develop their much-needed self-care skills. They are gently encouraged to put on their socks and pull up their trousers after getting changed. Children help to tidy away toys when they have finished playing. At snack time, children

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need to do better?

make good attempts to peel and cut their banana independently. n Developing children's language and communication skills are high on the childminder's agenda. She talks to children in activities and introduces new words into their vocabulary. Children are given a good amount of time to respond when they are asked a question. Children who speak English as an additional language have opportunities to see and hear their home language in the childminder's home. n The childminder supports children's understanding of number, shape and size as they play. Children learn to count and sort objects, such as their toy trains. They

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need to do better?

24 February 2022 are encouraged to work out if the biggest train will fit on the track they are building. n The childminder provides a safe and suitable play environment and consistently assesses any risks to her home and garden. She helps children to understand safe practices. Children are reminded that knives are sharp and could hurt them when cutting their banana. Children are supervised well when engaging in these types of activities. n The childminder consistently communicates with parents and other childcare providers involved in children's lives to ensure their needs are met. She obtains good information about children's need and interests when they first start and provides parents who speak English as an additional language with information about the curriculum in their home language. Parents share that they like the regular updates they receive and the activities to do at home. Children say that

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need to do better?

they like the childminder's snuggly duvet that they can use if they feel sleepy. n The childminder ensures she keeps up to date with mandatory training and finds out about any changes in childcare. She reflects on her practice and thinks about the areas she wants to improve. This has made her realise that she would like to seek out more professional development opportunities that promote the learning of children under three years and that will further benefit the learning of children in her care.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The childminder demonstrates a good understanding of her responsibility to protect children in her care. She can recognise a range of different types of abuse including the risks associated with radicalisation and grooming of children. She has robust procedures in place for reporting any concerns she may have about adults and children to the appropriate authorities. The childminder keeps her safeguarding knowledge up to date by attending regular training.

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should:

n engage in professional development opportunities that focus more precisely on supporting children's development under the age of three.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 129144 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 10060748 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 5 Date of previous inspection 17 December 2015

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 1993 and lives in Hatfield, Hertfordshire. She operates from 7am to 1.30pm term time and from 7am to 6pm during school holidays. The childminder holds an appropriate childcare qualification at level 3.

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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 and the inspector discussed the childminder's intentions for children's learning. n The inspector observed the quality of education being provided indoors and assessed the impact that this was having on children's learning. n The childminder provided the inspector with a sample of key documentation on request. n Parents and children shared their written views of the setting with the inspector.

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Inspection activities

24 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.

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Inspection activities

24 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.

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Inspection activities

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Inspection activities

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Inspection activities

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Inspection activities

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