Adams Zoe

Overall effectiveness Good

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

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The provision is good

Children are happy and settled and are making good progress in their learning and development. They are confident and show their increasing independence, for example as they carefully use safety knives to cut up their fruit at snack time. Children show mature understanding of behaviour and feelings. They create pictures of themselves by looking in a mirror. They then decide what emotion they are going to depict on their illustration, waiting eagerly as the childminder guesses this. Children show consideration for one another and demonstrate a good awareness of safety. They carefully check that their friends have finished on the slide before taking their turn.

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The provision is good

The childminder is sensitive to the possible effects of the COVID-19 lockdowns. She maintained contact with all children and their families during these times. This helped children to settle in quickly on their return. The childminder recognised that some children had not had as many opportunities to interact with others, and so offers additional support to children to build on their social skills and communication. Children develop a high self-esteem. They review photographs and exclaim proudly at how much they have changed and developed over the years.

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need to do better?

n The childminder is conscientious and works closely with her co-childminder to carefully review all areas of their work. She has completed a wide range of training to help refresh and extend her knowledge. This has played a major part in developing her practice since the last inspection. n The childminder knows the children well and offers them activities that extend their learning and skills. She carefully monitors children's progress to help ensure that there are no gaps in learning and no child falls behind. The childminder is aware of children's individual needs and ensures that any additional funding is used effectively to offer them opportunities and resources that aid their development. n Children show a great enjoyment of books. They visit the local library, where they choose books to borrow. Children build on their vocabulary as they recall stories. For example, they arrange painted stones to recreate a favourite story.

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need to do better?

Children build further on this as they plant beans. They measure these and discuss whether their beanstalks will grow as tall as the one in the book. n The childminder carefully plans activities that support children in building on their previous learning. For instance, children smell different spices and feel the texture of these as they create 'spice paintings'. They later eat mince pies, noting the different spices they can taste. n Children gain a practical awareness of their community. They frequently use local facilities, such as parks, a farm and museums. This sparks their interest in

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need to do better?

26 April 2022 the wider world and they enjoy referring to books and a globe, often discussing different climates, traditions and cultures. n Children participate in creative activities that aid them in developing new knowledge. They describe how they used craft resources and natural materials to recreate a scene depicting horses helping in the war. Children then explain that the contribution of the animals is celebrated by wearing purple poppies. n Parents report that they are very happy with the care provided by the childminder and her co-childminder. They state that their children are treated with care and respect and 'look forward to the adventures they have with the childminders'. Parents feel that the childminder communicates well with them, helping them to understand their child's development and extend this. n The childminder interacts well with children and generally supports them in extending their thinking, particularly during adult-led activities. However, on

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need to do better?

occasion, she does not support them to build on their chosen play and does not consistently encourage children to think critically and try to find solutions to problems. n The childminder generally offers children support in developing their understanding of health and hygiene practices. For example, children talk about oral hygiene and play with a role play dentist set. However, the childminder does not always help children carry out and understand routine hygiene and healthy practices on a daily basis. This does not promote children's knowledge to the very optimum.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The childminder has completed training to ensure that her knowledge of safeguarding is up to date. She understands how to recognise any concerns about children's welfare and report these to the appropriate agency. The childminder knows the correct procedure to follow in the event of allegations being made against her or her co-childminder. She demonstrates a clear understanding of wider issues, such as extreme views and practices, that could affect children's welfare. The childminder recognises the potential dangers associated with use of the internet and takes appropriate steps to ensure that children are protected.

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should:

n further develop the opportunities that support children to build on their chosen play and to find solutions to problems they encounter as they play and talk n enhance the approaches to promoting children's understanding of healthy practices and supporting children to carry these out consistently.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 129119 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 10217948 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 8 Date of previous inspection 29 November 2021

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 1994 and lives in Hatfield. She works with her husband, who is also a registered childminder. The childminder operates all year round from 7am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, except for bank holidays and family holidays. She provides funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children. The childminder is registered to offer overnight care.

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Inspection activities

n The inspector discussed any continued impact of the pandemic with the childminder and has taken that into account in their evaluation of the childminder. n The inspector observed activities and assessed the impact these have on children's learning. The childminder and her co-childminder showed the inspector around the premises and discussed how they ensure these are suitable and how they organise their early years provision. n The childminder and inspector reviewed an activity together. The inspector talked with children at appropriate times throughout the inspection. n The inspector viewed written feedback from parents and took account of their views. n The inspector looked at relevant documentation, including safeguarding policies, and reviewed evidence of the suitability of the childminder and her co- 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

26 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

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