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 are content and happy in the care of the childminder. They proudly show visitors around the house and explain who each person is from their photos. Children thoroughly enjoy being outside. The childminder provides many learning opportunities in the garden, which children are excited to explore. They fill up containers with pasta and lentils and pretend they are baking cakes. The childminder encourages children to count how many spoonsful of pasta they are using. At other times, children put lids on the containers and make shakers. This results in children having great fun as they engage in spontaneous singing and movement sessions.

p.2

The provision is good

Children demonstrate they have strong attachments to the childminder. They often go to her for a cuddle or kiss her arm as she sits next to them. Children are learning how to do things for themselves. They are keen to help with daily tasks, such as wiping the table before meals. Children skilfully use knives to chop up fruit for snack and know where to find the resources they want to use. Children play together very well and their behaviour is good.

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need to do better?

n During the COVID-19 pandemic, the childminder continued to support children as best as she could. One way she did this was by sharing stories and singing sessions through video calls. This helped children to stay familiar with the childminder. She reports children settled back into her setting very well. n Children's speech and language development is good, this includes those who speak two languages. They chat constantly as they play, using descriptive words to explain what they are doing. Younger children are learning how to put words together to make their needs known and to join in conversations. n Children enjoy sharing books with the childminder. They sit and listen well to stories. Children relate what is happening to their own experiences, such as talking about when they have seen emergency vehicles and what sounds they make. n The childminder has a good understanding of children's development levels and

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need to do better?

knows what they need to learn next. She has a clear intent for each child's learning through the activities she provides. Children's engagement in planned activities and free play is excellent. The childminder talks about how proud she feels with the progress children are making. n Children have many opportunities that help them to develop and practise skills to prepare them for future learning at school. They draw recognisable pictures, such as bouncy castles. Children say they are going to make the castles rainbow colours and spend time skilfully making stripes on their pictures. Young children enjoy using pens to make marks, such as lines and circles. They give meaning to

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need to do better?

25 May 2022 their marks, such as by saying, 'Look it's mummy'. n Parents are very complimentary about the childminder. They state children are very excited to spend time with her and the childminder creates a 'home-from- home' environment with many fun activities. The childminder consistently shares information with parents. This helps them to know how their children are learning and how to support their development at home. n The childminder understands the importance of information sharing with other professionals who are involved with children. She has conversations with staff at other settings children attend. However, she has not explored how she can deepen these partnerships, to involve discussion about children's development to promote continuity in their learning. n The childminder demonstrates a strong commitment to her work. She regularly reviews her practice and identifies areas she wants to further strengthen. The

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need to do better?

childminder uses professional development opportunities to further extend her knowledge and teaching skills. She works closely with other childminders and talks about how important this is to her, both professionally and to support her own well-being.

p.3

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

p.3

Safeguarding

The childminder undertakes regular safeguarding training to keep her knowledge relevant and up to date. She knows how to keep children safe and promote their welfare. The childminder has a good understanding of how to recognise any signs that children may be at risk of harm or extremist behaviour. She knows how to contact relevant agencies in the local area, to seek advice or to make referrals. The childminder has clear safeguarding policies in place, which she uses to underpin her good practice.

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should:

n deepen partnership working with other settings children attend to promote continuity in their learning.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY554179 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 10174324 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 Not applicable

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2017 and lives in Welwyn Garden City, Hertfordshire. She operates from 7.30am until 6pm, Monday to Thursday, all year round, except for bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder is registered to provide 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 childminder received since the COVID- 19 pandemic began. The inspector discussed the impact of the pandemic with her and has taken that into account in her evaluation of the childminder. n The inspector looked at the areas of the home that are used for childcare and discussed with the childminder how she operates her practice and implements her curriculum. n The inspector observed the childminder joining in activities with children and discussed the learning that was taking place with her. They discussed the needs of individual children and talked about the progress they are making. n A sample of documents was looked at by the inspector, including the suitability checks of household members and safeguarding and complaints policies and procedures. n The inspector took into account the views of parents and discussed the childminder's reflections of her practice with her.

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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

25 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

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

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