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 Not applicable

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The provision is good

Children show they are happy within the home-from-home environment. Children returning from holidays settle quickly back into the setting and become immersed in the activities available to them. They become excited as they move into the garden area to explore. Children gain a sense of belonging to the setting by placing their photo on the 'who's here today?' board. They feel safe and secure with both the childminder and their friends. Children actively seek each other out to play and enjoy practising their jumping skills together on the trampoline. They work together to get the bubble machine to work, happily chasing the bubbles together to pop them. This supports children's social development. Children demonstrate good physical skills as they run around in the hilly garden space.

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The provision is good

Children benefit from learning about the world around them. They spend a lot of time in the garden and conservatory. This allows them to observe aeroplanes flying overhead and the wildlife accessing the garden area. Children enjoy looking through magnifying glasses at the bugs in the garden. The childminder encourages the children to look at the changing colours through the magnifying glasses. This supports children to recognise their colours and develop their language skills further.

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need to do better?

n The childminder effectively supports children's language development. For example, while playing with the bubbles, the childminder introduces words, such as 'pop', to help extend young children's vocabulary. The childminder successfully narrates the day to the children, talking to them constantly to extend their language skills further. Story books are readily available for children to access and children enjoy sharing these with the childminder. This helps children to develop a love of books. n Children learn mathematical language that is age appropriate. For example, the childminder sings number rhymes and provides opportunities for children to count the number of cars they have. Mathematical resources are available for all children to explore. Wooden scales in the role-play area allow children opportunities to weigh the fruit and vegetables. A clock on the wall, with moveable hands, starts to introduce children to the concept of time. This

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need to do better?

supports children's wider mathematical skills. n The childminder provides lots of opportunities to support children's physical development. In the garden, children climb the steps to the playhouse, jump on the trampoline and run down the sloping grass area. Inside, children build towers with stacking blocks. They practise pushing and pulling along a wooden bus. These movements help to strengthen their arm muscles. There are a lot of opportunities for children to make marks with different resources. Children use

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need to do better?

19 April 2022 white board pens on the easel and chalk in the garden. This supports their early writing skills. n The childminder has good knowledge of all children and the next steps in their learning. She provides activities and resources effectively to support all children's interests. Children can access resources and independently make choices about their learning. However, children do not always concentrate at activities for long periods of time. This does not allow them to practise and develop their learning further. n The childminder gathers clear information about children's starting points in order to support the next steps in their learning. Where children attend other settings, the childminder ensures information about the children is shared. This helps to ensure that children receive a consistent early learning experience. n The childminder evaluates her practice regularly and uses this to develop her

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need to do better?

skills further. She completes regular training to ensure her knowledge is up to date and makes sure she is aware of any changes in legislation. This ensures her practice remains at a good level. n Parents are very complimentary about the childminder. The childminder keeps parents up to date about their children's learning. She talks to parents daily, as well as using an online platform to share information. Parents comment that she is very approachable and adaptable to meet children's individual needs and requirements. The childminder has completed additional training, when required, to support individual children's needs.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The childminder has secure knowledge of the signs and symptoms that may indicate a child is a risk from harm. She understands the process for reporting any concerns and when it is appropriate to speak to parents. The childminder is aware of how to report allegations against herself and anyone else in her household. She regularly updates her training to ensure her knowledge is up to date. This helps to develop her wider safeguarding knowledge, such as recognising extremism.

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should:

n strengthen the planning of some activities in order to capture and maintain children's interest, helping them to concentrate for longer periods of time.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY563353 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 10191393 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 4 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2018 and lives in Watford. She operates between 7am and 6pm, Monday to Thursday. This is primarily during term time only, with occasional holiday care. The childminder holds an early years qualification at level 3. The childminder 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 provider received since the COVID-19 pandemic began. The inspector discussed the impact of the pandemic with the provider and has taken that into account in the evaluation of the provider. n The childminder and the inspector completed a learning walk together of all the areas of the setting and discussed the curriculum and what the childminder wants children to learn. n The inspector observed the quality of education being provided, indoors and outdoors, and assessed the impact this was having on children's learning. n The inspector carried out a joint observation of a group activity with the childminder. n The inspector looked at reviews from the parents during the inspection and took account of their views. n The inspector looked at relevant documentation and reviewed evidence of suitability of the childminder.

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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

19 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.

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Inspection activities

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Inspection activities

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Inspection activities

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Inspection activities

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

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