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

The childminder and her assistant provide a caring, nurturing and homely environment. They treat all children with kindness and respect. Children show that they feel safe in their care. They develop close relationships with the childminder and her assistant, and display a strong sense of belonging. Children benefit from high levels of individual attention and interaction with the childminder. For example, they enjoy looking at books together. Younger children often choose their favourite book about a bus. They soon discover that when they press the buttons, they will hear different sounds, such as a horn and a bell. Toddlers love the 'feely' books. The childminder uses words such as 'fuzzy', 'furry' and 'fluffy' as they explore the different textures. The childminder's home is very well resourced, and toys are easily accessible.

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The provision is good

Children quickly gain the skills they will need when they go to school. They learn to count and recognise numbers, shapes and colours. Young children concentrate well in their chosen activities. For example, they work out how to post the colourful pennies in the toy 'piggy bank'. They are fascinated to discover that when they press the pig's nose, they will hear different sounds. The childminder sits alongside children and joins in their play. She uses all opportunities to suggest ideas and extend their learning.

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need to do better?

n All children, including those who have recently joined the setting, make good progress from their starting points. The childminder and her assistant know the children well. They can talk confidently about children's interests and where they are in their learning. n Children behave very well. The childminder and her assistant are positive role models. They explain their expectations in a way that children understand. Children automatically say 'please' and 'thank you'. They are familiar with the daily routines and respond well to the childminder's requests. For example, they eagerly help her to tidy away the toys at lunchtime. n Following the COVID-19 pandemic, the childminder identified that some children show delays in their language and communication. She promotes this area of learning very well through a wide variety of activities, including stories, poems and songs. This helps children to develop their confidence in their speaking and

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need to do better?

listening skills. Toddlers happily demonstrate how they 'talk to daddy' on a play mobile telephone. n Children play outside every day and have lots of fresh air and exercise. They visit local parks where they can use the play equipment to develop their balance and coordination skills. The childminder promotes children's awareness of safety, and they learn to manage risks from a young age. For example, they learn how

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need to do better?

14 June 2022 to cross the road and how to feed the ducks on the lake safely. n The childminder provides many opportunities for children to develop their small- muscle skills. For example, they enjoy fixing together the pieces of a board game. The childminder encourages them to take time to think about where the pieces go to complete a character. Children use positional language as they talk about putting the feet at the 'bottom' and the head at the 'top'. They learn new words, such as 'magician' and 'clown'. The childminder extends children's learning by explaining what each character does. For example, she says that the 'chef' cooks the food in a restaurant. n The childminder and her assistant develop friendly relationships with parents. Parents say that 'they would be lost without them'. Parents comment on how much they appreciate the photos that the childminder sends to them throughout the day. However, the childminder has not fully explored effective ways to

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need to do better?

encourage parents to share children's learning and achievements at home, to ensure continuity in their children's care and learning. n The childminder and her assistant have completed all mandatory training. This helps to ensure they have a good knowledge and understanding of how to promote children's safety and welfare. However, they do not always make the most of ongoing training opportunities to update their existing knowledge and teaching skills.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The childminder has a sound knowledge and understanding of child protection and safeguarding procedures. She ensures that both herself and her assistant are clear about their responsibility to keep children safe. They can recognise the possible indicators of abuse and have a clear knowledge of how to respond to any concerns about children's safety or welfare. The childminder and her assistant undertake regular safeguarding training and are conscientious in keeping their knowledge up to date. They complete risk assessments each day to ensure children can play and learn in a safe and secure environment.

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should:

n find further ways to encourage parents to consistently share information about children's achievements from home, to ensure consistency of care and fully support their children's learning n identify professional development opportunities to strengthen existing knowledge and skills and enhance the quality of teaching to the highest level.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY218291 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 10063542 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 12 Number of children on roll 10 Date of previous inspection 4 August 2015

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2002 and lives in Ware, Hertfordshire. She operates all year round from 7am to 6.30pm, Monday to Friday, except for bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder employs her daughter, who holds a relevant level 3 qualification, as a full-time assistant. She provides funded early years 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 her evaluation of the provider. n The childminder showed the inspector the areas of her home that children access. They discussed how the childminder organises her setting and plans the curriculum and experiences for children. n The childminder shared a sample of documents with the inspector, including evidence of training and the suitability of those living on the premises. n The inspector observed children and the childminder taking part in activities and assessed the impact this has on children's learning. The inspector and the childminder reflected on a learning experience for children. n Children spoke to the inspector about what they enjoy doing at the childminder's house. n The inspector took account of the views of parents from written feedback

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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

14 June 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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