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 thrive in the care of this nurturing and attentive childminder. They demonstrate that they feel safe and secure with her. Children confidently choose from a range of resources and activities that interest them and quickly become engaged in their play. Children behave very well. The childminder has high expectations for their behaviour and is an excellent role model. She helps young children to share, take turns and be kind. The childminder supports children to talk about their emotions and helps them to understand that their actions may have consequences. Children enjoy the company of their friends. They have fun and share experiences, such as working together to make a train track.

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The provision is good

Children show good levels of concentration. They are confident to keep trying and are eager to learn. For example, children thoroughly enjoy making a snowman. They talk about where to put the eyes, nose and mouth on the snowman's face. Children take great pride in their creations. The childminder praises them for their efforts and achievements, which successfully promotes their self-esteem. All children make good progress from their starting points. They gain the skills and attitudes to support the next stage in their learning and their move on to school.

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need to do better?

n The childminder builds very close relationships with the children's families and gets to know them very well. This supports her to understand each child's interests, personality and stage of development. She gathers information from parents to help her to establish what their children know and can do when they start. n Children demonstrate their developing language skills as they talk to the childminder and their friends. They confidently communicate their needs and talk about what they are doing. The childminder asks questions and encourages children to talk and share their ideas. She reads stories and encourages children to sing songs and join in with the actions. n The childminder identifies children's interests and what they need to learn next. She plans a wide range of exciting activities and experiences for them. However, at times, the childminder does not focus precisely enough on what it is she

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need to do better?

wants individual children to learn from the activities. n Children enjoy frequent outings into the local community. They enjoy meeting up with children of other registered childminders. This helps them to develop good social skills and gain an understanding of the wider world. They learn about other people and develop respect for their similarities and differences. n The childminder clearly enjoys her role and enthusiastically joins in with children's play. She provides a wide range of exciting activities that support children's development in all areas of learning. For example, she encourages

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need to do better?

29 November 2022 children's mark-making and small-muscle skills by introducing tubes of icing for the children to squeeze as they decorate their biscuits. n Children have opportunities to be physically active as they play in the childminder's garden, visit the farm and attend playgroup sessions. They enjoy frequent trips to local parks. Children learn to take supervised risks as they use large play equipment, under the childminder's close supervision. n The childminder encourages children to have healthy lifestyles. Children learn about the importance of good hygiene practices, such as regularly washing their hands and putting their hands over their mouths when they cough. They learn about oral hygiene through fun activities and discussions with the childminder. n Parents are very complimentary about the childminder's provision. The childminder regularly shares information with them to maintain continuity in

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need to do better?

their child's learning. Parents say that she is 'amazing' and that, 'we are very lucky to have the childminder in our lives'. Parents particularly appreciate the visits their children enjoy at the farm. n The childminder reflects on her practice and identifies areas to further develop. For example, she would like to attend training to help her in supporting children who speak English as an additional language. The childminder has recently attended training to refresh her knowledge around first aid and keeping children safe. However, she has not considered further, ongoing and continued professional development opportunities to help improve her good teaching to the highest level.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The childminder has a secure knowledge of safeguarding and how to protect children in her care. She is aware of the signs that may indicate that a child is at risk of harm. The childminder attends regular training and ensures she understands the procedures to follow if she has any concerns about the children in her care. She demonstrates a good awareness of wider child protection issues, such as radicalisation and online safety. The childminder ensures her home is safe and secure. Children learn how to keep themselves safe, such as what to do in the event of a fire and about road safety. This supports her to keep children safe and promotes their well-being.

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should:

n focus more rigorously on the aims and intentions for children's learning to ensure they all make maximum progress n explore further opportunities to build on professional skills and knowledge to raise the quality of teaching even higher.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY243723 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 10234684 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 7 Date of previous inspection 15 December 2016

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2002 and lives in Hatfield, Hertfordshire. She operates Monday to Friday, from 7am until 6pm, all year round, except for bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder provides funded early years education for two-, 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 about 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.

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Inspection activities

29 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

29 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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