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 Outstanding

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The provision is good

Children of all ages enjoy their time with the childminder. They are confident in her care and interested in visitors to the setting. Children play well together and have strong imaginations. As they build with blocks, they share their ideas and work together to make their creations and extend their games. The childminder is respectful of children's hard work and their creations are placed to one side when the blocks are tidied up, allowing children to return to their games later. Children are polite and regularly remember to say 'please' and 'thank you'.

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The provision is good

Children develop an interest in the natural world. As they visit local woods with the childminder, they listen for birds and collect leaves, seed pods and snail shells. Back at the childminder's home, children study their finds, noticing the different patterns on the shells. They talk about the seed pods and try to make them spin by throwing them into the air. Children help to pick blackberries in the childminder's garden and notice how some are green and others are black. Children know to pick the black ones, trying to find the 'biggest, juiciest ones'. The childminder helps the children to think about why the blackberries they saw in the woods were small and hard, introducing the idea that plants need water and sunshine.

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need to do better?

n The childminder demonstrates a good understanding of children's abilities. She assesses their progress and is clear about the areas where she is currently supporting their development. The childminder has high expectations for all children and overall provides an engaging curriculum. However, at times, her interactions with children during planned activities are overwhelming, providing them with too much information and asking too many questions. As a result, occasionally, children do not become fully absorbed in their own learning. n The childminder engages meaningfully with children's conversations and regularly provides them with new vocabulary such as 'audience', 'microscope' and 'ripe'. Books are freely available, and children enjoy spending time in the cosy book area. The childminder reads stories to children in a fun and engaging way. n The childminder provides children with opportunities to be physically active. As

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need to do better?

they dance along to action songs, children develop their coordination and show delight as they manage new moves. Children go on daily walks with the childminder and make regular use of local parks and playgrounds. n The childminder supports early mathematical learning well. She helps children to spot numbers and patterns in the world around them. As they complete jigsaws, children start to notice corner pieces, straight edges and the shapes of the puzzle pieces. The childminder weaves counting and discussions about size into many activities. Children are keen to count and some are starting to be able to

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need to do better?

17 August 2022 say how many objects there are just by looking at them. n Children develop age-appropriate independence. They confidently take themselves to the toilet and know how to wash their hands. Children put on their own shoes and understand the importance of wearing hats outside on sunny days. Older children help to prepare snacks, carefully positioning their fingers, so they do not cut themselves. Children understand the importance of eating fruit for snacks and are delighted to learn about the important contribution to their digestion of fibre in fruit. n The childminder is reflective in her practice. For example, during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic when parks and playgrounds were closed, she purchased a climbing frame so children in her care continued to get opportunities to climb and balance. The childminder values ongoing professional development, for instance, recently completing a course on how to support

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need to do better?

children's learning. However, she has not yet fully embedded this new learning into her practice to ensure she provides the very best learning opportunities to children at all times. n Parents of all ages of children are very complimentary about the childminder and report that their children enjoy attending. Parents value the support and guidance the childminder offers around their children's learning and development. They describe the childminder as someone who 'clearly loves their job' and who is 'thoughtful, diligent and professional'.

p.3

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

p.3

Safeguarding

The childminder demonstrates a strong understanding of her role and responsibility to protect children from harm. She can describe the signs and symptoms that might indicate a child is at risk, including from wider concerns, such as county lines. The childminder knows the procedure to follow should she have worries about the welfare of a child. She is aware of how to support families to access early support if needed. The childminder demonstrates good understanding of the action to take if an allegation is made against herself or a household member.

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should:

n embed recent knowledge gained around how children learn and develop, to enhance interactions with children during planned activities, so that they are always receiving the highest level of support for their ongoing learning.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY478119 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 10231892 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 8 Date of previous inspection 28 September 2016

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2014 and lives in Royston. She operates all year round, from 8am to 5.30pm, Tuesday to Friday, except for bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder provides funded early education for children aged two, three and four years.

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Inspection activities

n The childminder showed the inspector the premises and discussed how she ensures they are safe and suitable. She spoke to the inspector about her intentions for children's learning. 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 Parents shared their views of the setting with the inspector through written testimonials. n The childminder provided the inspector with a sample of key documentation. n The inspector spoke with the childminder and children at appropriate times throughout the inspection.

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Inspection activities

17 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

17 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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