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 care. They form strong and trusting bonds with her. They enjoy the range of resources on offer to them. For instance, children play with a toy medical kit. They learn how to use the items they play with purposefully. Children hold a toy stethoscope to a doll's body as they pretend to listen to its heartbeat. This helps them to develop their imaginations as they play.

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The provision is good

Children develop good levels of focus and engagement. They concentrate as they learn. For example, they remain focused at an activity for a long period of time. They choose to repeat the activity once they have finished. This provides them with opportunities to revisit their previous learning.

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The provision is good

Children behave well. They know what the childminder expects from them and they follow her instructions without hesitation. Children participate willingly in tasks, such as tidying up the toys when they have finished playing with them. They know what resources the childminder has in her home. This helps them to self-select and lead their own learning. For example, they choose to look at books about their favourite characters.

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need to do better?

n The childminder knows the children well and is aware of their interests. She uses this information to provide children with interesting and relevant learning opportunities. Children are keen to participate in the activities that she plans. They take turns to use a water pen to reveal different animals. The childminder speaks to the children about what they can see in the pictures. This helps to strengthen children's communication skills. n Children respond well to the childminder's sensitive interactions. For instance, the childminder gently encourages children to try again if they identify the wrong number as they count. She helps children to understand that numbers have meaning. For example, the childminder points to each animal in a picture to help children to count accurately. n Partnership working with other professionals is highly effective. The childminder shares the care of some children with another local childminder. They work

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need to do better?

closely together to support children's learning and development. They share information regarding what the children have done. This helps them to build on children's previous experiences further. n Younger children enjoy building friendships with other children who attend the childminder's home. Children go on outings with the childminder and other local childminders. This helps the younger children to develop their social skills and form strong relationships with others.

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need to do better?

13 September 2022 n The childminder helps children to understand about the risks in the wider world around them. For example, she speaks to them about how to walk safely near the busy road on the way to and from school. Children understand the reasons for the rules in place. As a result, they are able to stay safe when they are out with the childminder. n Parents are happy with the care that the childminder provides. They feel that she communicates well and keeps them informed about their children's time with her. The childminder has a flexible approach to her working hours. This provides children with continuity of care and helps them to feel settled, even if they attend outside their usual hours. n The childminder confidently identifies appropriate next steps for children in their learning and development. Despite this, on occasion, she does not make the most of opportunities to build on what children already know and can do. For

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need to do better?

example, children show an interest in how an object works. However, the childminder does not explore this with them further. As a result, children are less likely to make rapid progress in their learning and development. n The childminder completes required training. For instance, she ensures that she maintains her paediatric first-aid qualification. However, she does not complete professional development specifically relating to the children in her care. This limits her ability to further enhance the already good support that she provides to children.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The childminder has a firm understanding of how to safeguard children. She is able to identify possible signs of abuse and neglect. She has a strong awareness of wider safeguarding issues, such as recognising the signs of female genital mutilation. The childminder understands the process to follow should she need to raise concerns regarding children's welfare to other agencies. She is aware of what to do should anyone make an allegation against her or a member of her household.

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should:

n provide children with consistently challenging learning opportunities to build on what they already know and can do n complete highly focused professional development to enhance the already good support that children receive.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY345559 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 10235066 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 19 October 2016

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2006 and lives in Cheshunt. She operates all year round, from 7.15am to 5.30pm, Monday to Thursday, except for bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder holds an appropriate qualification at level 3.

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Inspection activities

n This was the first routine inspection the provider 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 had a tour of the areas of the premises used for childminding. n The inspector viewed written feedback from parents and took their views into consideration. n The inspector observed the childminder's interactions with children. She discussed the impact of these interactions on children's learning and development with the childminder. n Documentation was viewed by the inspector, including suitability and qualification documents.

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Inspection activities

13 September 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

13 September 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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