Childminder in Hertfordshire

Overall effectiveness Good

The quality of education Good Behaviour and attitudes Outstanding Personal development Good Leadership and management Good Overall effectiveness at previous inspection Outstanding

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The provision is good

Children are highly content and happy in the care of the childminder. They engage in play and learning exceptionally well. Babies show how their learning is progressing, as they delight in realising that items put in baskets are still there after they have been out of sight. Older children's imaginative play is of the highest quality. They base their ideas on their recent experiences, such as birthday parties. Children show strong leadership skills as they direct the childminder into different roles. Their play and conversations are extremely natural. Children confidently take on the role of imaginary characters and make changes to the way they talk and interact to suit the person they are playing.

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The provision is good

Babies are learning how to use gestures and words to make their needs known. The childminder is responsive to their requests, for example, as she lifts babies to the table, so that they can take part in the activities they point at. Babies are beginning to use sounds, such as 'sh', as the childminder puts their shoes on. Children's speech and language skills are very good. They use extensive vocabulary as they talk about their experiences and engage in imaginative play. Children and babies play cooperatively and their behaviour is good. They are developing good independence skills and persevere with tasks, such as putting on dressing-up clothes.

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need to do better?

n The childminder gets to know children well when they start to attend. She holds in-depth conversations with parents to help her find out what children know and can do. This enables the childminder to build on children's experiences and skills. She continues to observe their learning and makes regular development assessments. This contributes to the good progress children make. n Children have many opportunities to be active and enjoy spending time outdoors. The childminder talks about how they visit parks, so children have space to run, climb and explore. She has plans to develop her garden, so that children can have more activities outdoors, such as growing vegetables and herbs. n Children build very trusting relationships with the childminder. She is nurturing and attentive to their needs. The childminder notices when babies are tired and makes sure they are clean and comfortable before they rest. Babies demonstrate

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need to do better?

they feel secure, as they quickly settle to sleep, with their comforters from home. n The childminder helps children to learn how to keep themselves and others safe. For example, as children pretend they are at the swimming pool, she discusses water safety with them. At other times, she uses conversations about new babies in the family to help children to understand why babies only need milk

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need to do better?

30 March 2022 and not food. n Parents' comments about the childminder are very positive. They say she provides a home-from-home environment. Children love to attend and are very happy. Parents say the childminder provides them with regular updates on how children are learning and developing. They state she is kind and caring to children and families. n The childminder provides children with opportunities to develop the skills they need for their future education. They spend time purposefully using pens to write notes that they say are for their parents. Children skilfully use scissors and notice that card is stiffer than paper and so is harder to cut. n The childminder provides a range of books for children to choose from. Babies enjoy reaching into baskets and looking at books. They show they are familiar with books, as they hold them correctly and turn the pages. Babies contentedly snuggle into the childminder as she shares stories with them.

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need to do better?

n The childminder is passionate and dedicated to her work. She prides herself on providing children with a relaxed, friendly environment, where they have fun and learn well. She reviews some areas of her practice and identifies areas she wants to strengthen further. However, the childminder is not yet sufficiently focused on identifying and using professional development opportunities to further extend her teaching skills.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

p.3

Safeguarding

The childminder has a clear understanding of her role in protecting children from harm and knows how to promote their welfare. She is alert to the possible signs of abuse or extremist behaviour. The childminder knows how to contact relevant agencies in the local area, to seek advice or to make referrals. She has a clear safeguarding policy, which she uses to underpin her good practice. The childminder undertakes regular child protection training to keep her knowledge relevant and up to date.

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should:

n use evaluations of practice to identify professional development opportunities, in order to further strengthen existing knowledge and teaching skills.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY365012 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 10127186 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 7 January 2016

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2007 and lives in Bishop's Stortford. She operates all year round from 8am to 6pm, Monday to Thursday, except for bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder holds an appropriate childcare qualification at level 3. The childminder provides funded early years education for children aged two, three and four years.

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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 her and has taken that into account in her evaluation of the childminder's practice. n The inspector and the childminder looked at the areas of her home that she uses with children and discussed how she implements her curriculum and operates her practice. n The inspector observed the childminder joining in activities with children and discussed the learning that was taking place with her. They talked about the needs of individual children and the progress they are making. n A sample of policies and procedures was looked at by the inspector. These included documents relating to the suitability of household members, safeguarding and complaints. n The inspector took into account the views of parents and discussed the childminder's reflections of her practice.

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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

30 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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