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 Good

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The provision is good

Children demonstrate that they feel safe and settled. They go to the childminder for spontaneous hugs and she responds to them warmly. Children are happy. They build firm friendships, take turns and share resources with each other. Children make choices about their play and engage in a wide range of activities and experiences that interest them.

p.2

The provision is good

Children are independent. They show pleasure in doing things for themselves. For example, children help to make their sandwiches at lunch time. They confidently use a step to reach the worktop and talk to the childminder about sitting properly on their chair so they 'don't fall'. While buttering their bread, children learn how to use cutlery in a safe way. This helps children develop an understanding of how to use tools appropriately.

p.2

The provision is good

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the childminder has adapted her curriculum to focus on encouraging children's communication skills. She uses all opportunities to extend children's language development. For example, the childminder repeats words spoken by the children and extends their learning by asking questions. In addition, she introduces new words and language to extend the range of words that children hear. This has a positive impact on children's language development.

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need to do better?

n The childminder provides good opportunities for children to develop an understanding of equality and diversity. For example, she encourages children to learn about how families are different and uses books to extend this. This helps children to be accepting of the world around them and feel included. n Children learn about good health and oral hygiene. They demonstrate a clear understanding of the childminder's routines, relating to handwashing. For example, they know that when they sneeze or cough, they must use a tissue and then wash their hands. Additionally, the childminder uses dentistry toys to promote children's understanding of oral health. She talks to children about healthy eating and the fruit and vegetables that help to promote this. n The childminder observes children and she assesses their progress. This helps her to identify some gaps in their learning. However, the information gained

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need to do better?

from assessment is not used as effectively as possible to identify the most accurate next steps for individual children, across all areas of learning. n Parent partnerships are effective. The childminder stayed in touch with parents during the pandemic. She engages with parents on a daily basis to ensure that they are aware of what their children are doing while they are with her. The childminder shares information about the children's interests and learning with

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need to do better?

24 May 2022 parents. This helps parents to extend their children's learning at home. Parent feedback is very positive about the care and education the childminder provides. n Children take great pleasure in pretend play and develop good imaginations. For example, they pretend to make 'coffee' and 'hot chocolate' for the childminder. They confidently ask about the strength of the coffee required, such as 'do you want two or five?'. The childminder uses this spontaneous opportunity to demonstrate the importance of safety. She initiates discussions about the drinks being hot and the children tell her they must be careful. n The childminder is consistent in her approach to behaviour management but is less able to support children to manage their own feelings and behaviours and to understand the impact this has on others. For example, children get upset when they cannot do what they want at the time they want to do this. They

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need to do better?

show their frustration and are not able to self-regulate this. n Children develop strong physical skills. For example, they enjoy threading activities and learn how to use pegs. The childminder patiently teaches children, repeating what they need to do to ensure they develop the skills they need for future learning. Furthermore, children have daily opportunities for fresh air and exercise. They walk to and from school each day and enjoy regular visits to the park. The childminder uses effective risk assessments to ensure that children learn about road safety and remain safe both inside and outside the home. n Children enjoy activities that help to develop their mathematical skills. They talk about how long and short laces are and estimate if they are taller or shorter before measuring each other.

p.3

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

p.3

Safeguarding

The childminder knows how to keep children safe. She attends regular safeguarding training and is aware of her local community through research and discussion with other providers. The childminder is able to identify signs and symptoms that may indicate a child is at risk of harm. This includes wider safeguarding issues. The childminder knows the referral procedures she must follow if concerns are raised and she monitors the suitability of her assistant. This helps to keep children safe.

p.3

should:

n use information from assessments more effectively to monitor the learning and progress being made by individual children, and to identify more accurate next steps across all areas of learning n help children to self-regulate their behaviour and recognise the impact this has on others.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 129709 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 10242984 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 7 Date of previous inspection 22 October 2018

p.4

Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 1995 and lives in Tring, Hertfordshire. She operates all year round from 7am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, except for bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder holds an appropriate childcare qualification at level 3. She provides funded early education for three-year-old children.

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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 the childminder and has taken that into account in their evaluation. n The childminder and the inspector held a learning discussion together to understand how the curriculum is organised. n Children spoke to the inspector throughout the inspection. They told the inspector about the activities they enjoy taking part in. n The inspector observed the childminder's interaction with children during an adult-led activity and reviewed this with the childminder. n The inspector reviewed a sample of the childminder's documentation, including the suitability of her assistant and the childminder's paediatric first-aid certificate. n Parents gave their written feedback and views, which the inspector read during the inspection. The inspector took into account the parent's views and feedback.

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Inspection activities

24 May 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

24 May 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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