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 develop very warm and caring relationships with the childminder and her assistant. This helps them to feel safe, happy and settled, and ready to learn. Children learn to be part of a group, understand rules and happily share the toys. They quickly become familiar with the daily routines. The childminder displays the exceptional range of resources very well, enabling children to make choices in their play. Children are confident and sociable. They warmly welcome visitors and demonstrate their good communication skills as they talk to each other and with adults. Children are encouraged to use good manners. They are well supported in managing their feelings and emotions. Children use the feelings board to help them describe how they are feeling each day when they arrive.

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The provision is good

The childminder creates an exciting and inviting learning environment for children, both inside and outside. She plans activities around themes, which helps to extend children's understanding of the world around them. For example, they learn about what happens in the autumn. Children have great fun collecting the crispy leaves, fir cones and conkers. They use them in their pictures and other activities. For example, children show perseverance as they balance conkers on the top of bottles. Children of all ages and abilities achieve well and enjoy their time with the childminder.

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need to do better?

n The childminder and her assistant clearly enjoy their roles. They share their skills to provide the best possible care and learning for children. The childminder reflects on her practice and the service she provides to identify any aspects she would like to improve. For example, she plans to create a mud kitchen in her garden and learn more about forest school activities. n Children listen attentively and concentrate extremely well for their age and stage of development. The childminder asks them questions to help promote their thinking skills. For example, during a favourite story, she asks children how the witch lost her hat, and listens to their ideas as they proudly recall the story. Children learn new words, such as 'cauldron' and 'wand'. The childminder uses interesting story props that help to engage the younger children in the story. n The childminder makes effective use of the progress check for children aged

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need to do better?

between two and three years. It helps her to identify any gaps in their development. The childminder regularly assesses what children understand and can do, and uses this information to decide what they need to learn next. For example, for children who are going to school, she plans activities to develop their confidence and independence. n Children have many opportunities to learn about how to care for living things and the environment. For example, they are encouraged to think about the

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need to do better?

20 October 2022 importance of recycling materials. Children enjoy taking part in an activity where they rescue their toy sea creatures from the plastic items in a water tray. These valuable hands-on experiences help to support their understanding of how pollution can harm sea life. n The childminder keeps parents exceptionally well informed about their children's learning. She sends them daily photographs and completes regular online assessments. Parents describe the childminder as 'fantastic' and they all comment that they are very happy with the care she offers. n Children learn about the faiths and traditions of other countries. For example, they look at the different clothes people wear and enjoy trying foods such as kebabs and chapatis. The childminder introduces them to many different festivals and celebrations. Children thoroughly enjoyed creating their very own 'henna' hand designs. n Children enjoy nutritious and well-balanced meals and snacks. They feed

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need to do better?

themselves and independently wash their face and hands after meals. Children benefit from fresh air and exercise every day as they play in the childminder's well-resourced garden. They also go on walks and outings to the park, which helps to develop their physical skills and supports their good health and well- being. n The childminder and her assistant work very well together. They have regular discussions about their roles and the activities they are planning for the children. However, the childminder's systems for supervising and supporting her assistant are not precise enough to enable her to prioritise where additional support or training would be useful.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

Both the childminder and her assistant have a good understanding of their role in safeguarding children. They are aware of the procedures to follow should they have any concerns about a child's welfare. They keep up to date with changes in legislation and have completed recent training. All adults living or working on the premises are suitably vetted. The childminder and her assistant know the children well and communicate together effectively, helping to ensure that any concerns about safeguarding are promptly recognised and responded to.

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should:

n strengthen arrangements further for supporting assistants and encouraging the development of their knowledge and skills.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY477494 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 10236364 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 12 Number of children on roll 8 Date of previous inspection 11 January 2017

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2014 and lives in Stevenage. She operates from 8am to 5pm, Monday to Thursday, all year round, except for bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder holds an appropriate qualification at level 3 and employs an assistant. She provides funded early education for three- and four-year-old 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 childminder and has taken that into account in their evaluation of the setting. n The childminder showed the inspector the areas of her home that children access. They discussed how the childminder organises her setting and plans the curriculum and experiences for children. n The childminder shared a sample of documents with the inspector. This included evidence of training and the suitability of those living on the premises. n The inspector observed children and the childminder taking part in activities and assessed the impact this has on children's learning. The inspector and the childminder reflected on a learning experience for children. n Children spoke to the inspector about what they enjoy doing at the childminder's house. n The inspector took account of the views of parents from written feedback

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Inspection activities

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

20 October 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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