Childminder in Hertfordshire

Overall effectiveness Outstanding

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

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The provision is outstanding

Children flourish is this highly stimulating and exciting setting. They self-select from rich and varied resources that are carefully linked to their interests and drive their curiosity. For example, children explore the garden and select raspberries and cucumbers they have grown for their lunch. They giggle with delight as they investigate and taste them. Children's concentration levels are high as they learn how things work and take risks, for example as the childminder supports them to use secateurs safely.

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The provision is outstanding

Children's behaviour is excellent. They share, take turns and treat others with respect in an environment which celebrates the character of all children present. Children show a strong awareness of the needs of others. Deeply embedded routines and structure mean that children feel safe and grow in confidence.

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The provision is outstanding

Children's communication and language are developed extremely well through excellent interactions with the childminder. New vocabulary is relevant to the children's lives and deliberately selected to provide challenge. Real tools are used to embed learning in the long-term memory. For example, when children explore the doctor's kit and use a real thermometer, they say, 'It means you are too hot! Have a drink of water.'

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The provision is outstanding

Children have exceptional experiences when learning about other cultures and communities. When learning about Diwali, children visit an African art exhibit and compete their own artwork. They explore the unfamiliar, such as cows in vibrant colours, and look at variations in how these animals look in different parts of the world.

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need to do better?

n The childminder's excellent relationships with parents and other professionals mean that she knows the children extremely well. She uses this knowledge to plan rich experiences which focus on using real-life tools and give children authentic and relevant experiences that support their development both inside and outside of her care. n The childminder provides children with a rich set of deep and meaningful experiences that build on prior learning and mean knowledge is embedded in their long-term memory. When children grow and pick their own food, they learn first hand about a healthy diet and explore new tastes, expressing their likes and dislikes with confidence. n The childminder supports children with speech and language needs extremely well. She links her own professional development opportunities with what specific children need to learn. She is highly reflective of her own practice and

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need to do better?

11 July 2022 shares what she learns with parents. She implements strategies she has learned through training to have a direct impact on children's progress. n The childminder has high expectations of all children, particularly disadvantaged children and those with additional needs. Parents report very high levels of progress, and children all receive access to the same level of challenge and expectation. n Children's behaviour is excellent. They are motivated, challenged and engaged at all times. Parents report that 'there is never a dull moment'. Children are highly stimulated and, as a result, they have high levels of confidence and are resilient, self-confident and successful learners. n Children have very positive attitudes towards learning. They experience success and are self-assured. Children are highly independent, selecting resources themselves, getting dressed, making decisions and tending to their own self-care

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need to do better?

needs. The childminder is highly skilled at linking children's experiences at home with their play opportunities. As a result, children's experiences are maximised and their new knowledge is deeply rooted. n The childminder uses all opportunities as a learning opportunity with children. The learning in the setting flows, through spur of the moment activities to those that are meticulously planned. When the children find a snail in the garden they squeal excitedly as the childminder tells them about how snails can see. Children listen with eyes wide in awe of this new and exciting information. n The childminder constantly improves her practice through training and development opportunities. She is passionate about children's learning and she works with parents and other professionals to decide how best to extend her own knowledge.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The childminder has completed recent safeguarding and 'Prevent' duty training. She regularly updates her knowledge about keeping children safe and recognising signs of concern. She has excellent knowledge and understanding of how to keep children safe and understands her responsibilities to deal quickly and effectively with any concerns that she has. The childminder is committed to keeping children safe and to developing their independence skills, allowing them to take risks and make decisions in a safe environment.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY482008 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 10231929 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 9 Number of children on roll 9 Date of previous inspection 22 September 2016

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2014 and lives in Welwyn Garden City. She operates Monday to Thursday, from 7am to 6pm, all year round, except for bank holidays and family holidays.

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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 childminder and the inspector held a learning discussion together to understand how the curriculum is organised. n The inspector observed the childminder's interaction with children during adult- led activities and reviewed this with the childminder. n The inspector observed interactions between the provider and children throughout the inspection. n The inspector saw written feedback from parents during the inspection and took account of their views and feedback. n The inspector reviewed a sample of the childminder's documents, including Disclosure and Barring Service information and first-aid certificates.

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Inspection activities

11 July 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

11 July 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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