Westmore Gillian

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

p.1

The provision is good

Children are happy and play together cooperatively. They demonstrate that they have strong attachments to the childminder and her co-childminder. Children enjoy taking part in board games and know how to take turns and share resources. Children's speech and language skills are developing well. Children constantly chat as they play and explain to visitors what they are doing. Younger children use single words and gestures to respond to questions and to make their views known. Children's behaviour is good.

p.2

The provision is good

Children have many opportunities to be active, for example as they use the climbing frame in the garden. Children enjoy taking part in ball games. They learn how to use balls in different ways, such as rolling, throwing and bouncing. The childminder shows children how to place their hands so they can easily catch the ball. Children are pleased when they achieve these new skills and are keen to try again. The childminder takes children on many outings, such as to farms. Children benefit from fresh air and exercise and these outings extend children's knowledge of the natural world.

p.2

need to do better?

n Through the height of the COVID-19 pandemic the childminder worked hard to keep children and their families safe. She and her co-childminder, in partnership with parents, made changes to the days children attended. This helped to reduce the number of households mixing together. The childminder also moved many activities outdoors as she felt this was the safest way for children to play and learn. n The childminder swiftly responds to children's needs. When children say that they are hungry, she provides them with a healthy snack. Children are keen to help and they spontaneously tidy away toys. They know to wash their hands before they eat. These activities demonstrate children's developing independence skills. n Babies demonstrate that they feel content in the care of the childminder and her co-childminder. They enjoy the company of other children and freely explore the toys and resources. Babies have secure routines. They settle to sleep peacefully

p.2

need to do better?

and wake up refreshed and ready for play. n Children enjoy completing puzzles. They look carefully for pieces that match as they build pictures of faces showing different emotions. The childminder asks children questions about different facial expressions. Children readily share their thoughts. They say that they think a face is happy as the mouth is smiling. n Parents' comments about the childminder and her co-childminder are very positive. Parents say that their children settle very well and thrive under their care. They say that their children develop into confident, kind and loving

p.2

need to do better?

14 April 2022 individuals. The childminder provides parents with regular updates about how children are learning and developing. n Children engage very well in building with magnetic blocks. They show their developing mathematical understanding as they talk about shapes, such as squares and triangles. Children work out how to fit different shapes together to make buildings. They are pleased when they are successful at making a house to fit a play figure into. n The childminder understands how to develop and implement her curriculum to support each child's ongoing learning. Overall, she gets to know children well when they start to attend, for example by talking to parents about their routines and interests. However, the childminder does not always use the information she obtains from parents to build swiftly on children's previous experiences and skills right from the start. n The childminder and her co-childminder constantly look for ways to improve

p.2

need to do better?

children's experiences and outcomes. The childminder uses professional development opportunities to further extend her knowledge and teaching skills. Following recent training, she has made changes to the way she observes and assesses children's ongoing learning. This has enabled her to have a deeper understanding of children's development.

p.3

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

p.3

Safeguarding

The childminder is alert to the possible signs that children could be at risk of abuse or extremist behaviour. She has a clear understanding of her role in protecting them from harm and in promoting children's welfare. 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.

p.3

should:

n use the information gathered from parents when children start to attend to build on what they know and can do from the outset.

p.3

Setting details

Unique reference number EY300078 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 10232915 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 8 Date of previous inspection 8 December 2016

p.4

Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2005 and works from the home of her co-childminder in London Colney. She operates Monday to Thursday, from 7.45am until 5pm, all year round, except for bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder works in close partnership with a co-childminder. The childminder holds an appropriate early years qualification at level 3. The childminder provides funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children.

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 childminder and has taken that into account in her evaluation of the childminder. n The childminder showed the inspector the areas of her home that she uses with children and discussed her curriculum and how she operates her practice. n The inspector observed the childminder and her co-childminder joining in activities with children and discussed the learning that was taking place. They talked about the needs of individual children and discussed the progress they are making. n A sample of policies and procedures were 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 on her practice with her.

p.5

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.

p.5

Inspection activities

14 April 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.

p.5

Inspection activities

If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 1231, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk .

p.6

Inspection activities

You may reuse this information (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. To view this licence, visit www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/ , write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk

p.6

Inspection activities

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more information and updates: http://eepurl.com/iTrDn .

p.6

Inspection activities

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/ofsted

p.6