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 are happy, comfortable and confident. They demonstrate that they feel safe and secure as they warmly greet visitors. Children eagerly help the childminder to dry their pushchair after it gets a little wet from being outdoors in the rain. They make choices from a rich range of resources and become engrossed in their play. Children develop good critical-thinking skills as they work out how to turn battery-operated toy trains on and off. They learn how to join several train carriages together by rotating them so that they stick together using the attached magnetics. Children have immense fun positioning the trains underneath a large chair. They switch the trains on and are pleased with their achievements as the trains appear from underneath the chair in different directions.

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The provision is good

Children show a positive attitude to learning. They are keen to experiment making a wide range of marks on a cloth mat using a special pen filled with water. This helps them to build the small muscles in their hands in preparation for writing. Children are beginning to understand their own and each other's feelings. They express to the childminder that they are having a good day as they show her a 'thumbs up'.

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need to do better?

n The childminder clearly knows the children in her care well. Children benefit from a well-planned curriculum. The childminder gathers information from parents regarding their children's starting points in learning. She uses this information well to plan activities around what she wants children to learn next, consistently incorporating their individual interests. n Partnerships with parents are strong. The childminder has highly positive relationships with parents and works hard to establish and maintain a two-way flow of information about children's home lives, care, well-being and learning. She shares professional publications and ideas to support children's learning at home. Parents describe the childminder as 'conscientious' and say that every day is full of stimulating experiences. n The childminder provides an environment that is rich in communication, language and literacy. Children are confident talkers. The childminder's fun

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need to do better?

personality encourages children to listen intently to their favourite books that she reads to them. She brings stories alive with the use of props and changes the tone of her voice. Children excitedly match the correct number of toy animals to those on the pages. The childminder introduces children to the name of unfamiliar animals, such as a sloth, and provides them with a clear explanation of where these animals live and how they move. Children use good manners and behave well. The childminder's occasional calm reminders help children to remember the expectations.

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need to do better?

16 March 2022 n The childminder supports children effectively to be active and continues to build on their social skills. She ensures that children receive plenty of fresh air and exercise. She regularly meets with other childminders and the children they care for at the local park and woods. This enables children to mix with larger groups of children as they explore the environment. Children learn to assess their own risks under the close supervision of the childminder as they climb on fallen trees and jump in muddy puddles. They learn about the natural world as they listen to the different sounds that birds make, such as woodpeckers, and observe how squirrels move. n The childminder is dedicated to improving her practice and regularly updates her knowledge and training to build on her skills. For instance, she has recently completed training in understanding children's repetitive patterns of play. n The childminder provides children with nutritious meals and snacks. Children

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need to do better?

occasionally help her to prepare these. However, the childminder does not always encourage children to manage some simple tasks by themselves, such as putting on their own outer clothing and wiping their own nose, to develop higher levels of independence. n The childminder works in partnership with staff at some other settings that children attend. However, this is not consistent for all children who attend another setting. This means that the childminder is not fully informed of how to precisely support continuity in children's learning.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The childminder knows how to keep children safe and has a good understanding of how to protect them from harm. She is able to recognise the possible indicators of abuse and knows the correct steps to take to protect the children she cares for. The childminder knows the relevant agencies to contact if she has concerns about children's safety. She understands the procedures to follow if an allegation of abuse is made against herself. The childminder is aware of wider safeguarding issues, such as radicalisation and female genital mutilation. She has robust procedures in place for the storage and sharing of photos that she takes of children's achievements.

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should:

n strengthen partnerships with all other providers that children attend, to support continuity in their learning n extend opportunities for children to practise more everyday tasks for themselves.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY404853 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 10074403 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 10 Date of previous inspection 2 February 2016

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2010 and lives in Welwyn. She operates all year round from 8am until 6pm, Monday to Wednesday, except for bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder provides funded early education for four-year-old children.

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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 inspector joined the childminder on a walk to collect children from a local nursery school. n The inspector observed the quality of teaching during activities indoors and assessed the impact this has on children's learning. n The inspector jointly evaluated an activity with the childminder. n The inspector held a number of discussions with the childminder at appropriate times during the inspection. She looked at relevant documentation and evidence of the suitability of individuals living in the household. n The inspector spoke to children during the inspection and took account of the views of parents through written feedback provided.

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Inspection activities

16 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

16 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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