Housden Joan Eileen

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

Children demonstrate that they feel happy in the care of the childminder. They welcome visitors with a cheery 'hello', and confidently interact with them. The young children currently attending display excellent communication and language skills. They freely express their ideas and use extensive vocabulary as they engage in conversations. Children's observational skills are very strong. They match up picture cards in a pairing game with ease. Children notice the slightest difference in pictures and instantly know when they do or do not make a pair.

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The provision is good

Children enjoy being outdoors and talk about how visiting the park is a favourite activity. They look forward to being on the swings and talk about how they will go up to the sky. The childminder has high expectations of children completing tasks for themselves. When she gives them specific jobs to do, such as tidying up the animals, children say 'of course' and show a high sense of satisfaction when the task is complete. They have a strong attachment to the childminder; they have immense fun together and children's behaviour is very good.

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need to do better?

n The experienced childminder observes children closely and is aware of where they are in their development. She makes notes of significant learning, so that when she completes the two-year progress check for children, she is confident she has secure evidence. Considering their ages, some children are exceeding developmental expectations and making exceptional progress. n The childminder is aware of how the pandemic has reduced children's early social interactions with others. She adapts her settling-in procedures to meet each child and parents' needs, as she understands that some children need more time before they feel secure. The childminder meets with other childminders so that her children can play with other children and widen their social networks. n Parents are complimentary about the childminder. They say their children are happy and feel safe and secure with her. Parents value the regular information

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need to do better?

and advice they receive, as it enables them to support their children's learning at home. n Children's mathematical understanding is developing well. They demonstrate how they understand shape and size as they build a tower with stacking cups. Children spontaneously count objects as they play and pair up big and small animals. n The childminder provides activities for children to practise using their hands, which prepares them for future learning. Children use 'pincer grips' to carefully move beads around a frame. At other times, they use magnetic drawing boards to make marks with a pen. The childminder allows children to explore using both

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need to do better?

19 August 2022 hands, knowing that left or right preference will develop in time. n Children enjoy singing. Their exceptional language skills are evident as they confidently sing their favourite songs. Children enjoy the childminder singing with them. They have fun together and their strong attachments to each other are evident. n The childminder keeps photographic evidence of children's experiences with her. Children enjoy looking at these and talk in detail about what they remember. For example, they recall how it felt to hold a tiny chick, and describe its colour and soft fur and feathers. n The childminder demonstrates a strong commitment to her work. She reviews some aspects of her practice and looks at what she can develop and improve. The childminder networks with other childminders. This enables her to hold professional discussions with others and she feels this is important to her ongoing development. However, the childminder is not sufficiently focused on

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need to do better?

precisely identifying how she can continue to develop her good practice through her evaluations and professional development opportunities.

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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, seek advice or to make referrals. She has a clear safeguarding policy in place, which she shares with parents and 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 build on the evaluations of practice and professional development plans to further strengthen knowledge and teaching skills.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 129518 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 10234150 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 4 Date of previous inspection 20 October 2016

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 1993 and lives in Markyate, Hertfordshire. She operates all year round, from 7.30am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, except for bank holidays and family holidays.

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Inspection activities

n This was the first routine inspection the childminder received since the COVID- 19 pandemic. 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 plans 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 took into account the views of parents and discussed the childminder's reflections of her practice with her.

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Inspection activities

19 August 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

19 August 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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