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

Children are happy and settled in the childminder's home. They form secure relationships with the childminder and benefit from warm and caring interactions with her. The childminder places value on giving children a voice. She encourages them to express themselves, taking a genuine interest in what they say and responds enthusiastically. Children confidently communicate with the childminder and one another. The childminder supports children's developing speech skills. For example, if children say a word that is unclear, she repeats the word back to them using the correct pronunciation. This helps children to acquire accurate speaking skills.

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The provision is good

The childminder communicates her expectations for children's behaviour in a positive way. Children respond promptly to instructions, such as when they are asked to tidy up an area before they move on to the next learning activity. Children behave very well. The childminder teaches the importance of sharing and being kind to one another, and even very young children are developing skills in this area.

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The provision is good

The childminder builds her curriculum around children's current interests. For example, children are keen to create a dinosaur world in the outdoor area. They demonstrate high levels of concentration and problem-solving skills as they work together on this project.

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need to do better?

n Since the last inspection, the childminder has reviewed her outdoor provision and made positive improvements to the learning environment she provides outside. Children have opportunities to develop physical skills and young children delight as they learn to climb up the steps and travel down the slide. Children have the opportunity to explore, using their senses outside as they access sand and water-play opportunities. n Children develop independence skills from a young age. They learn how to put on their own shoes and wash their hands. The childminder holds babies and talks to them about the handwashing process, ensuring that even the youngest children can learn this skill. This promotes children's self-care skills. n Children develop a love of books from a young age. The childminder provides a range of age-appropriate books for the children to access freely in their play. Children request their favourite stories and snuggle closely on the childminder's

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need to do better?

lap as she reads to them. Young children learn key-reading skills, such as pointing and turning the page, as the childminder shares stories with them. However, older children are not always supported to develop literacy skills appropriate for their age.

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need to do better?

30 August 2022 n Children benefit from visiting places in their local environment. The childminder takes them to a local toddler group, the park and they go for walks in the woods. This helps children learn about their local environment and develop an understanding of the natural world. n Parents are complimentary about the service the childminder provides. They state that they feel well informed about what their child is learning and that communication is strong. They share that their children love attending and credit key skills their children have learned to the childminder. The childminder promotes a shared approach and has vital discussions to improve children's outcomes, such as reducing the use of a dummy and preparing children for toilet training. This partnership ensures a joint approach to key-health issues. n The childminder has kept up to date with statutory training, such as safeguarding and first aid. However, she recognises that she has not invested

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need to do better?

any time to deepen her understanding about the curriculum or best practice in the early years field, to enhance her understanding of child development and allow her to continuously improve her setting. n The childminder ensures that the books and resources she provides for children reflect the wonderful diversity of our world. She also uses the regular trips out in the local community as a teaching tool for respect and understanding towards different cultures and beliefs.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The childminder understands her responsibility to protect children from harm. She has completed safeguarding training and knows how to report any concerns that she may have about children in her care. The childminder ensures she takes steps to maintain the safety of her home, and teaches the children to keep themselves safe. The childminder implements safe-handling rules for the family pets. She knows the procedures to follow if an allegation is made against her. She maintains accurate records of children's attendance.

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should:

n gain knowledge of how to support older children's literacy skills and provide opportunities for children to extend their reading and writing skills n focus professional development more precisely on gaining skills and knowledge that can be used to enhance the support for children's learning.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY409346 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 10063622 Type of provision Childminder

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Registers

Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register Day care type Childminder

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inspection

Total number of places 6 Number of children on roll 9 Date of previous inspection 16 July 2015

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2010 and lives in Stevenage. She operates all year round, from 8am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, except for family holidays and bank holidays. The childminder accepts funding to provide free early years education to children.

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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 the provider and has taken that into account in their evaluation of the childminder. n The childminder and the inspector completed a learning walk together to discuss the childminder's intentions for children's learning. n The inspector carried out a joint observation of an activity with the childminder. n The childminder provided the inspector with a sample of key documentation on request. n The inspector observed the quality of education being provided, indoors and outdoors, and assessed the impact that this was having on children's learning. n The inspector spoke to parents and took account of written feedback provided by parents.

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Inspection activities

30 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

30 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

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

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