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 often go to her for cuddles when they need reassurance or to sit on her lap. Children play together very well and their behaviour is good. They enjoy being creative and have lots of time to explore using different materials, such as paint and dough. Children talk about what they are doing, demonstrating good speech and language skills. The childminder is a good role model, for example, repeating words and phrases back to children, using correct pronunciation and tense.

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The provision is good

Children thoroughly enjoy being outdoors, whether it is in the garden or on visits, such as to zoos. They are keen to show visitors the fruit and vegetables they are growing. The childminder displays pictures and words around the plant pots. This helps children to differentiate between the plants and they talk in detail about what is growing. Children show their developing understanding of the world as they know what plants need to help them grow. The childminder clearly explains that the flowers mean that more fruit will soon appear.

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need to do better?

n The childminder often bases her curriculum planning around books and stories. This helps children to make links in their learning and strengthens their accumulating knowledge. Children listen well to stories and are able to recall the sequence of events. They enjoy follow-up activities, such as painting snakes and making snake shapes from dough. The childminder emphasises the 'S' sound and shows children how to draw swirly patterns with chalks. This effectively supports children to develop early skills, which will be built on when they start school. n The childminder gets to know children well when they start to attend. She gains useful information from parents about what children know and can do. She is aware of how the COVID-19 pandemic has limited some children's social interactions. She finds ways to provide children with experiences to help close these gaps in their learning. For example, she takes children to toddler groups

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need to do better?

and parks. This enables them to gain confidence in larger groups, play with others and begin to develop friendships. n The childminder has considerable experience of working with children with special educational needs and/or disabilities. She is alert to signs that children may need additional help and works closely with parents. The childminder observes children carefully and plans ongoing activities based on their interests and next steps in learning. This helps all children to make good progress. n Parents are very complimentary about the childminder. They say they know their children are in a safe environment and they enjoy attending. Parents say their children are learning well and the childminder provides information on how to

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need to do better?

20 July 2022 support their development at home. n The childminder provides innovative ways to help children develop their strength and physical skills. She talks about providing activities on the floor and encouraging children to lay down to complete them. The childminder talks about this helping to build core strength, which is important for children's balance and coordination. n The childminder talks about how she helps children to learn about others through teaching them about festivals, such as Chinese New Year. However, she has not considered how she can widen these experiences to help children to develop a rich and meaningful understanding of families and communities beyond their own. n The childminder demonstrates a strong commitment to her work. She reviews her practice and identifies areas she wants to further strengthen, such as her work with parents. The childminder regularly engages in ongoing professional

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need to do better?

development, such as training and research. These opportunities help to further extend her knowledge and teaching skills.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

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

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should:

n strengthen opportunities for children to have rich experiences to learn about people, families and communities beyond their own.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 2553643 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 10232058 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 2019 and lives in Hemel Hempstead. She operates Monday to Friday from 7.45am until 6.30pm, all year round, except for bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder holds an appropriate level 3 qualification.

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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 and the childminder looked at the areas of her home that she uses with children and discussed how she implements her curriculum and operates her practice. n The inspector observed the childminder joining in activities with children and discussed the learning that was taking place with her. n A sample of policies and procedures was looked at by the inspector. These included documents relating to the suitability of household members, safeguarding and complaints. n The inspector discussed the needs of individual children with the childminder and talked with her about the progress they are making. n The inspector took into account the views of parents and discussed the

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Inspection activities

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

20 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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