Childminder in Hertfordshire

Overall effectiveness Requires improvement

The quality of education Requires improvement Behaviour and attitudes Requires improvement Personal development Requires improvement Leadership and management Requires improvement Overall effectiveness at previous inspection Inadequate

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The provision requires improvement

Children are not provided with a curriculum that consistently challenges and extends their learning and development. The childminder does not always successfully differentiate her teaching to meet the varying ages of the children attending. She, sometimes, overlooks opportunities to stimulate older children's curiosity and interests as they play. Furthermore, children do not always have sufficient access to additional resources to support their play. This restricts opportunities for the children to explore and develop their own ideas and creativity.

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The provision requires improvement

Despite some weaknesses in the childminder's practice, children demonstrate that they enjoy their time in the childminder's care. Younger children develop their hand-to-eye coordination, concentration, and physical skills as they carefully use toy tweezers to move wooden acorns from one container to another. They learn to match different colours and are introduced to language, such as 'rough' and 'squidgy', as they explore different textures. Older children demonstrate their problem-solving skills as they work out how to angle the wooden bridge to enable their cars to roll down. Children are encouraged to make marks on paper and enjoy sticking and painting activities. They proudly share their collage hedgehog pictures.

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need to do better?

n Since the last inspection, the childminder has taken steps to improve her practice. She is continuing to receive support from the local authority and demonstrates a willingness to continue to improve her practice. Additionally, the childminder has reduced the number of early years children in her care and has completed behaviour management training. This is supporting the childminder to manage the behaviours of children more effectively. n The childminder does not consistently use her curriculum to plan and sequence the children's learning, to build on what they already know and can do. Her interactions with the children are variable. For example, the childminder does not, always, spontaneously challenge older children's thinking as they play. The activities provided do not always engage and motivate older children to persist and they quickly lose interest. n The childminder completes a range of training, such as early mathematics and

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need to do better?

story telling training. However, this requires further evaluation to ensure the childminder has the knowledge and skills to raise the quality of the curriculum and learning opportunities provided for the children. n Children are settled in the childminder's care. They develop close relationships with the childminder and demonstrate that they feel safe and secure. This effectively supports their emotional well-being. The childminder warmly greets the children when they arrive, supporting younger children to take off their coats and shoes.

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need to do better?

8 November 2022 n Children have regular opportunities to play and learn outside. They collect leaves and twigs during walks in the woods, search for wildlife and paint rocks. Children make new friends during visits to toddler groups, and learn about the diversity of others during celebrations, such as Diwali. n Parents comment positively about the childminder and say that they are pleased with the care and learning opportunities provided for their children. They receive a daily verbal feedback regarding their child's day and regular meetings are arranged to discuss children's progress. Additionally, the childminder provides parents with advice and ideas to support their child's learning at home, such as the importance of reading to their child.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The childminder understands how to identify potential signs of abuse and neglect, including wider safeguarding aspects, such as radicalisation. She understands how to report concerns about children or their families to the relevant agencies. This supports her to keep the children in her care safe. The childminder completes daily risk assessments to ensure her home is safe and secure. She supervises the children appropriately and ensures they are safely transported in her car.

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Due date

improve the implementation of the curriculum, including interactions with the children, to ensure all children receive consistently meaningful and challenging learning experiences that builds on what they already know and can do 31/01/2023

p.3

Due date

improve professional development opportunities to identify gaps in knowledge, skills and practice that will help raise the quality of the curriculum and learning activities provided for children. 31/01/2023

p.3

should:

8 November 2022 n extend the range of resources and activities to further support children's motivation to explore and develop their play and ideas.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 2516053 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 10244712 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 6 Date of previous inspection 19 May 2022

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2019 and lives in Hemel Hempstead. She operates all year round from 9am to 5.30pm, Monday to Friday, except for bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder holds an appropriate childcare qualification at level 3.

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Inspection activities

n The inspector discussed any continued impact of the pandemic with the provider and has taken that into account in their evaluation of the provider. n The childminder showed the inspector the areas of her home that children access. They discussed how the curriculum has been implemented and the experiences she provides for the children. n The inspector observed children taking part in activities with the childminder and assessed the impact on children's learning. n Children communicated with the inspector during the inspection. n The childminder shared documentation with the inspector. This included evidence of the suitably of those living on the premises. n The inspector took account of the views of parents spoken to at the inspection.

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Inspection activities

8 November 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

8 November 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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