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 childminder has good knowledge of child development. This helps her to plan activities for children which meet their learning needs. Children are happy and settled in the care of the friendly childminder and her co-childminder. She knows the children well and creates activities which focus on children's interests. Children make good progress from their starting points.

p.2

The provision is good

Children have good opportunities to explore and develop their physical skills outside in the fresh air. They often visit the local parks, which allows them to explore equipment that challenges their physical development further. If the children choose to stay in, they access short, online workout videos to encourage them to exercise. The childminder helps children develop healthy habits, such as wiping their own noses and throwing the tissues in the bin. Children enjoy a wide range of healthy meals and snacks which the childminder provides.

p.2

The provision is good

Children are well behaved. They have good routines in place, which supports their understanding of what is expected of them. Children are kind to each other. They enjoy playing alongside each other. This supports their social development. Children can remember the 'golden rules' independently and know the boundaries within the childminder's setting.

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need to do better?

n The childminder takes time to get to know all the children within her care. She adapts the environment and processes of settling in to meet the needs of the children who join her setting. This helps children to settle quickly and meets their emotional needs. The childminder recognises that children do not always have access to the same kind of life experiences and plans very well for this. n The childminder provides the children with a wide range of activities for them to explore, such as play dough and mathematical games. She encourages children to support their own learning by choosing their stories and books to read. They show emerging skills in recognising animals in the pictures, naming them and making the sounds of each one. However, the childminder does not plan enough opportunities for children to develop an understanding of technology and find out how things work. n Mathematical development is a part of all daily activities the childminder offers

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need to do better?

to children. For example, children talk about the different shapes of the play dough moulds and compare them to the shape pictures on the wall. Children practise their counting skills throughout the day. While playing in the sand, the children tap the moulds and count to three before turning them over. n The childminder supports children to develop their communication and language skills. She talks to children throughout the day. Children enjoy singing songs

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need to do better?

15 March 2022 while in the garden. The childminder adapts this to sing songs with more actions as a way of supporting those children with emerging language skills. While reading stories to children, the childminder uses the tone of her voice and expression to keep them captivated. However, she often asks too many questions and does not always allow children time to think of their answers. n Parents speak very highly of the childminder and her co-childminder. Parents comment that the childminders help to support all areas of their children's needs. The childminder talks to parents daily about their child's day. Parents feel that they receive a good level of communication. The childminder offers parents advice, particularly for those children who have never been away from them before. Parents say they find this particularly helpful. n The childminder works very closely with her co-childminder. They support each

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need to do better?

other effectively and discuss their strengths and weaknesses. This ensures that their practice is of good standard. The childminder sometimes liaises with other childminders to share ideas. Attending regular training sessions helps to ensure the childminder's knowledge is up to date. She plans her training sessions around the children who are currently in her setting, to enable her to support them further.

p.3

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

p.3

Safeguarding

The childminder has a good understanding of safeguarding. She knows the signs and symptoms of abuse and when it is appropriate to report any concerns to the relevant professionals. The childminder attends safeguarding training which helps to keep her knowledge up to date. The childminder confidently explains that she would contact the local authority designated officer if an allegation was made against her or her co-childminder. The childminder has good knowledge of internet safety and the importance of discussing online safety with children.

p.3

should:

n provide more opportunities for children to extend their understanding of technology and how things work n find ways to support children more effectively who are still developing their language skills, giving them the time they need to enable them to process their thoughts and respond with their answers.

p.3

Setting details

Unique reference number 2604580 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 10231257 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 9 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

p.4

Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2020. She works at the home of her co-childminder in Watford. The childminder works Monday to Friday, all year round, expect for public 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 provider and has taken that into account in their evaluation of the childminder. n The inspector observed the quality of the education being provided, indoors and outdoors, and assessed the impact that this was having on children's learning. n The childminder and the inspector completed a learning walk together. They discussed the curriculum and the childminder's intentions for children's learning. n The inspector completed a joint evaluation of an activity with the childminder. n Parents shared their views of the setting with the inspector through written feedback. n The inspector looked at relevant documentation and reviewed evidence of suitability of the childminder.

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Inspection activities

15 March 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

15 March 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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