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 Not applicable

p.1

The provision is outstanding

Children are exceptionally confident, secure and happy. They thrive in the care of this enthusiastic, nurturing childminder. Children are independent learners and eagerly try new experiences. They are captivated as they explore new musical instruments. They work out how to play the instruments correctly, quickly understanding that they need to hold the triangle by the loop so that it makes a clearer ringing sound. Children follow the childminder's positive role modelling and are keen to succeed, persevering at tasks. For instance, young children post discs into a toy animal. They try to open this and persist until they achieve it.

p.2

The provision is outstanding

The childminder is sensitive to the possible effects of the COVID-19 lockdowns. She offers additional support to assist children to catch up, helping to develop their social skills, for example. Children become totally absorbed in activities, many of which closely reflect their interests. For example, they learn new vocabulary and concepts, such as 'hibernation', as they explore their interest in bears. Children show a mature awareness of feelings, and are kind and helpful. They gain a highly practical understanding of safety. For instance, they competently assess play equipment at the park, working out how high it is safe to climb. Children show a positive approach to keeping themselves healthy. They help to make a book about oral health and eagerly explain how different foods affect their teeth.

p.2

need to do better?

n Children make excellent progress and are exceptionally well prepared for school. The childminder has a highly perceptive knowledge of each child's development and what they need to learn next. She confidently offers exciting play opportunities that help children to build on their skills and take the next step in their learning. The childminder uses very practical procedures to monitor children's progress and ensure that no child falls behind in their learning. n The conscientious childminder reviews every area of her work in order to continue to make improvements. She evaluates all activities to look at where these can be extended to help children make even further progress. The childminder completes a wealth of training to help develop her knowledge and teaching skills. n Children enjoy an extensive variety of innovative play opportunities. For example, they 'travel' to different countries, making their own airport, passports

p.2

need to do better?

and boarding passes. While 'in Italy', they use building blocks to create a model of the colosseum, and explore the scent of fresh basil as they make pizzas. When 'in France', they make baguettes, create a market and extend their interest in mathematics as they look at different currencies. Daily opportunities such as these bring children's learning to life, and help them develop the skills and positive approaches that support their future learning.

p.2

need to do better?

26 July 2022 n The highly skilled childminder continuously observes children and adapts activities. For instance, older children use junk-modelling resources to create three-dimensional faces. Younger children join in as the childminder supports them to explore the different materials. They look through tubes and make sounds using these. They later use their learning as they pick up cups of varying sizes and experiment by making sounds into these. n Children show a great love of books. They set out a tea party to act out a favourite story, going on to use their mark-making skills to create stripes to represent a tiger. They look at reference books and are captivated when they discover the Rainbow Mountains in China. They are inspired to create their own illustrations of these. They eagerly repeat new vocabulary, and the childminder ensures that they understand this, helping them to use it in other situations.

p.2

need to do better?

n The childminder makes excellent use of all learning opportunities. While eating breakfast, children talk about shapes. They giggle as they state they can stretch circles and squares to make ovals and rectangles. They refine their knowledge when they later look at books and competently name the different shapes, quickly recognising shapes within others. n Parents speak exceptionally highly of the childminder and note the excellent progress their children make. They appreciate the childminder's sensitivity and understanding of each child and state, 'she goes above and beyond to arrange activities and make special memories for the children.' The childminder's excellent communication means parents are very well supported in understanding how to continue building on their children's learning at home.

p.3

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

p.3

Safeguarding

The childminder demonstrates an excellent knowledge of safeguarding. She completes frequent training and reads national and local articles to make sure this knowledge is up to date at all times. The childminder knows how to recognise any concerns about children's welfare and understands how to report these without delay to the relevant professional. She appreciates additional safeguarding issues, such as the dangers associated with exposure to extreme views or practices. Additionally, the childminder is fully aware of the possible risks associated with use of the internet and takes effective action to protect children.

p.3

Setting details

Unique reference number 2569554 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 10232923 Type of provision Childminder

p.4

Registers

Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register Day care type Childminder

p.4

inspection

Total number of places 6 Number of children on roll 2 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

p.4

Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2020 and lives in Stevenage. She operates all year round, from 8am to 5.30pm, Monday to Thursday, except for bank holidays and family holidays. She provides occasional overnight care. The childminder holds an appropriate qualification at level 3. She offers funded early education places for two-, three- and four-year-old children.

p.4

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 provider and has taken that into account in their evaluation of the provider. n The inspector observed activities indoors and outside and assessed the impact these have on children's learning. She talked with the childminder about how the early years provision is organised. n The childminder and inspector viewed an activity together. n The inspector viewed relevant documentation, including the safeguarding procedures and the suitability of household members. n The inspector talked with children at appropriate times throughout the inspection and considered their views. She also reviewed written feedback from parents.

p.4

Inspection activities

26 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.

p.4

Inspection activities

26 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.

p.5

Inspection activities

If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 1231, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk .

p.6

Inspection activities

You may reuse this information (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. To view this licence, visit www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/ , write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk

p.6

Inspection activities

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more information and updates: http://eepurl.com/iTrDn .

p.6

Inspection activities

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

p.6