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 Outstanding

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The provision is good

Children settle quickly into the childminder's care. They form strong bonds with the childminder and make friends with the children around them. For example, they laugh with excitement as they run around the garden kicking a ball together. Children learn to take turns, such as when they wait patiently for their turn to share a story with the childminder.

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The provision is good

Children happily explore the range of engaging resources on offer. They use their imaginations as they pretend to cook in the play kitchen. Children interact positively with visitors. They are keen to share the toys with them. For example, they bring colourful tubes to the table where the visitor is sitting. The children shake the tubes and look carefully at the contents. They talk about what they can see inside the tubes, handing them to the visitor so that they can take a closer look.

p.2

The provision is good

Children enjoy playing and exploring outdoors. They fill containers with sand, using tools appropriately to scoop and move the sand around. They concentrate as they play. Children are curious about the world around them. They learn about the life cycles of different creatures. They watch creatures change and grow, then learn more about them through books. This helps children to gain a deeper understanding of the topics they are learning about.

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need to do better?

n The childminder recognises the different ways in which young children learn. She skilfully adapts her interactions with children to support their individual stages of development. For example, she changes the way she communicates with different children. She uses simple phrases with younger children. She then extends this, using more-complex sentences with children who have a wider vocabulary and understanding. As a result, children make good progress in their language development. n Children enjoy looking at books. They choose from the selection on offer independently. Toddlers confidently name the animals they can see in the pictures. They identify different colours as they look at the books. They respond positively to the praise the childminder gives them. This helps to keep them motivated and supports children's positive attitudes to their learning. n Families receive support and encouragement from the childminder. Parents

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need to do better?

comment that they are very happy with the service the childminder provides. She gathers information from parents when children start. This helps her to meet specific needs, such as monitoring the medical needs of children. The childminder helps parents to build on children's learning at home. For instance, she suggests activities for bath time, based on things that children have enjoyed

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need to do better?

28 April 2022 with her. n The childminder monitors children's progress carefully. She has reflected on the most effective way for her to do this and how to share information about children's learning and development with parents. This regular monitoring helps the childminder to identify areas where children need support or areas of strength. She then plans appropriate opportunities for children to develop these skills further. For example, she takes children to gymnastics classes so that they can develop their strong physical skills to an even greater level. n Children enjoy a wide range of opportunities with the childminder. They visit the local library to choose books which are relevant to their own experiences. For instance, the childminder helps children select books about ballet as they prepare to try a ballet class with their parents. The childminder provides children with opportunities that they may not have access to at home, such as those with

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need to do better?

limited outdoor space. The childminder encourages children to use the whole of the garden to develop their love of water play. This results in the children learning in an inclusive environment. n The childminder has formed strong professional bonds with familiar local settings. This helps her to share information about the learning and development of the children who attend. However, she has not yet formed these strong relationships with settings that are less familiar to her. As a result, she is not yet able to consistently support all children's continuity of learning between her setting and others they attend.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

p.3

Safeguarding

The childminder recognises her responsibilities to keep children safe in her care. She regularly reviews her policies and these are shared with parents. The childminder completes regular safeguarding training to ensure that her knowledge is as up to date as possible. She recognises the importance of keeping Ofsted informed about her suitability. The childminder has a strong understanding of the possible signs of abuse. She has completed training in wider safeguarding areas, such as how to identify children who may be at risk of grooming. The childminder knows the process to follow should she need to raise concerns regarding children to other agencies.

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should:

n strengthen professional relationships with staff across other settings children attend so that information can be shared effectively to support continuity in all children's learning and development.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY467998 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 10127252 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 14 Date of previous inspection 3 September 2015

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2013 and lives in Bushey. She operates all year round from 8am to 5pm, Monday to Friday, except bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder holds an appropriate qualification at level 3.

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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 their evaluation of the provider. n The inspector had a tour of the areas of the premises used for childminding. n The inspector held discussions with the childminder regarding the curriculum she provides and what children learn. She observed the childminder's interactions with children and considered the impact of this on children's learning and development. n The inspector spoke to parents and read written feedback. She took their views into consideration. n The inspector viewed a sample of the childminder's documentation, including qualification certificates and suitability documents.

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Inspection activities

28 April 2022 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

28 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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