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, secure and confident. They respond warmly to the childminder and thoroughly enjoy their interactions with him. For example, they laugh together as they share a simple joke about fish in the aquarium. Children settle quickly and feel comfortable as the childminder follows their home routines. The childminder is aware of possible issues caused by the national lockdowns during the COVID-19 pandemic. He and his co-childminder maintained contact with all families and helped to reassure them during these difficult times. This also aided children to settle quickly on their return.

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The provision is good

Children make good progress. They respond well to the childminder's positive attitude and high expectations. They show respect for one another and are kind and caring. They readily share toys and work cooperatively together. For example, they pass one another bricks and help their friends to build a taller tower. Children listen well and are helpful. They help to tidy up and concentrate as they check that they are putting the toys in the correct boxes. Children are building a practical understanding of how to keep themselves safe. For instance, they draw roads, traffic lights and road signs on the path. They observe these as they negotiate the 'roads' on ride-on toys, discussing road safety as they go.

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need to do better?

n The childminder continuously reviews his practice and makes improvements. He works closely with his co-childminder to ensure that policies and procedures are up to date and successfully support the promotion of children's safety and well- being. He is proactive in seeking additional training. For example, recent training to look at the psychological effects of the COVID-19 pandemic has enabled him to better understand these and offer relevant support. n The childminder monitors children's progress and ensures that no child falls behind in their learning. He understands each child's development and what they need to learn next. He offers children a range of play opportunities that support them to take the next steps in their learning. Good use is made of additional funding to support children's progress and help them to be ready for school. n Children demonstrate good communication skills. Older children confidently

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need to do better?

sequence and explain their play. For example, they describe how they are brushing the doll's hair before putting it in the pushchair to go for a walk. Babies smile and babble excitedly when the childminder responds to their initial babbles. They make good attempts to copy the words he repeats to them. n Children develop a love of books. They access these and read independently, and they also join in with group stories and activities. For example, they make and 'sell' tickets and set up a theatre, where they act out favourite stories and recall the words and storyline.

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need to do better?

22 March 2022 n The childminder confidently adapts activities so that all children participate meaningfully. For example, when playing a rocket game in the garden, older children count backwards from five as they 'blast off' in the rocket. Younger children name the colours of the mats they have used to make the rocket. n Parents praise the childminder and his co-childminder and feel that their children make good progress. Parents report that communication is good and they always know what their children have been doing and how to help them build on their learning. Additionally, the childminder works well with other settings that children attend, which helps to ensure that all work together to promote children's development. n The childminder generally interacts well with children, which helps them to extend their play. However, on occasion, he does not make the most of opportunities to support children to work things out for themselves and develop

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need to do better?

their critical-thinking skills. n Children have some understanding of differences and the world around them. For example, they visit local facilities, such as parks, and enjoy accompanying the childminder when he collects older children from school. This helps children to learn about the community they live in. However, the childminder does not consistently support children to learn about other cultures, communities and ways of life that are outside their own experiences.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The childminder demonstrates a thorough understanding of his responsibility to promote children's welfare. He completes training to keep his knowledge of safeguarding up to date. The childminder shows a confident understanding of how to recognise any concerns about children's welfare and report these to the appropriate agency. He understands the risks associated with exposure to extreme views and practices. The childminder recognises the possible dangers associated with use of the internet and takes effective action to protect children. He knows how to report any allegations against himself or anyone in his household.

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should:

n offer children further opportunities that support them in thinking things through and finding their own solutions to the questions and problems that arise during their play n enhance opportunities that support children's understanding of other cultures, communities and ways of life.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY244777 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 10231480 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 13 Date of previous inspection 17 July 2019

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2003 and lives in St Albans. He operates all year round from 7.30am to 6.30pm, Monday to Friday, except for bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder works alongside his wife, who is also a registered childminder. He holds a childcare qualification at level 3 and provides funded early education for two-, three- and 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 observed activities, inside and outside, and assessed the impact these have on children's learning. She had a tour of the home with the childminder and his co-childminder, to discuss and understand how the early years provision is organised. n The childminder and the inspector reviewed an activity together. The inspector talked with children at appropriate times throughout the inspection. n The inspector viewed relevant documentation, including the safeguarding procedures and evidence of the suitability of household members. n The inspector talked with parents and considered their views. She also viewed written feedback from parents.

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Inspection activities

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

22 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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