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 make good progress and are happy and secure. They have warm, trusting relationships with the childminder and her co-childminder. For example, they snuggle up with the childminder after lunch and talk about what they are going to do next. Children follow the childminder's good example and respond to her high expectations. They show kindness and respect for one another, and older children readily include younger ones in their play. Children are learning to assess risks and understand how to keep themselves safe. For example, they explain why it is safer to go backwards down the stairs in the playhouse.

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The provision is good

The childminder sensitively considers the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic lockdowns. During this time, she maintained contact with all families and offered reassurance to parents and children. This also helped her to keep up with children's progress and activities, which enabled her to offer children pertinent support on their return. Children practise and develop their physical skills. They balance carefully on a bouncy toy and develop their coordination as they use this to move around the garden. Children respond to the childminder's praise and encouragement. Children persevere when cutting up cucumbers and are proud when they succeed.

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need to do better?

n The childminder competently reviews activities. She is clear about what children have learned and plans further activities to help children to take the next steps in their learning. Thorough monitoring procedures help the childminder to assess children's progress and to quickly note if they need further support. This helps to ensure that children do not fall behind in their learning. The childminder uses additional funding well to support children's learning. n The childminder works well with her co-childminder. They review their work and ensure that all records are in place and that their policies and procedures support them in ensuring children's safety and welfare. The childminder completes further training to help her to expand her knowledge and continue to develop her practice. n With the childminder's encouragement, children remember what they have learned and build on this knowledge. For example, they take magnifying glasses

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need to do better?

and use these to examine bugs and insects while they are out. They take photos of these and know they can use books to find out further information about the insects when they get home. n Children enjoy looking at books independently and also with the childminder. They sit together outside as they read about starting school. The childminder maintains children's interest well. For example, she uses props and puppets and encourages children to join in with the words.

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need to do better?

22 March 2022 n Children participate in enjoyable activities that support their play and learning. For example, the childminder sets up disco lights. The children jump onto named colours as these appear on the floor. They dance and join in with actions, which helps to promote their physical development. n Children enjoy many opportunities that support the development of their language. Mealtimes are social occasions, and younger children love to listen to the older ones talking about nursery and school. Older children include the younger children in their discussions. They help them to pronounce words and learn other people's names. n Parents think highly of the childminder and her co-childminder and praise their welcoming, flexible childcare service. They state that communication is good and that they feel supported in extending their children's learning. The childminder also works well with other childcare settings that children attend, which helps to

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need to do better?

ensure that their care is consistent. n The childminder interacts well with children and generally supports them to extend their thinking. However, on occasion, she asks questions and answers them for children and does not consistently encourage children to think critically and try to find solutions to problems. n Children have some opportunities to learn about healthy practices. For example, they talk about the importance of wearing sun hats when outside on a hot day. However, the childminder does not consistently help children to understand this area, which limits their knowledge of how to keep themselves healthy.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The childminder is clear about her responsibility to promote children's welfare at all times. She keeps her knowledge of safeguarding up to date. This supports her to quickly notice any concerns about children's welfare and report these to the appropriate professionals without delay. The childminder knows how to report any allegations about herself or anyone in her house. She demonstrates a good understanding of the risks linked to extreme views and practices and the impact these could have on children and their families. She understands the potential dangers linked with the use of the internet and takes appropriate action to protect children.

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should:

n develop further opportunities that support children to think critically and find solutions to problems n extend the daily practice that supports children to understand the relevance of hygiene and healthy lifestyles.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY225617 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 10231479 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. She operates all year round from 7.30am to 6.30pm, Monday to Friday, except for bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder works alongside her husband, who is also a registered childminder. She 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 and assessed the impact these have on children's learning. The childminder showed the inspector the premises and discussed how she ensures that they are safe and suitable and how she organises the early years provision. n The childminder and the inspector reviewed an activity together. The inspector talked with children at appropriate times throughout the inspection. n The inspector talked with parents and took account of their views. She also viewed written feedback from parents. n The inspector looked at relevant documentation and reviewed evidence of the suitability of the childminder, her co-childminder and household members.

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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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