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 show they are happy, safe and content in the childminder's care. They quickly look to her for comfort, support and help when needed, such as when they find a stray hair in their mouth. Children concentrate well and enjoy playing with the toys and resources on offer. They begin to develop the small muscles in their hands, as they learn how to control a pen and place wooden building bricks on top of each other. Children have plenty of opportunities for fresh air and exercise that help to promote their good health. They go on daily trips to local parks and enjoy learning how to use large play equipment, such as a slide.

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The provision is good

Young children have plenty of fun as they repeatedly press buttons on an electronic toy in order for it to make sounds. They show very good communication and language skills, and can follow simple instructions, such as finding a specific book. Showing very good concentration and physical skills, children carefully turn each page of a chosen book to discover what comes next. They demonstrate their understanding when they babble and use single words to tell the story.

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need to do better?

n The childminder completes ongoing reviews of her practice. She uses this information to help her make decisions about future improvements. Since her last inspection, the childminder has sourced and completed a very wide range of training opportunities. This has helped to improve her knowledge and understanding. For example, she has learned how to identify and support children with special educational needs and/or disabilities. n Parents are very complimentary about the service the childminder provides. They say that she is 'brilliant', and explain that it is like 'leaving their child with a family member'. Parents say they would recommend the childminder to others. n Information about each child's individual care needs and achievements is sought from parents from the very start. This helps the childminder to provide children with appropriate care, and plan effectively to meet their individual learning

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need to do better?

needs. n Children have a wide variety of learning opportunities and make good progress. They build securely on their previous learning, practise the skills they acquire and develop a good understanding of different concepts. For example, they explore how they can make marks on paper using a pen. n Young children are supported to learn good communication skills. Holding their hand out, they let the childminder know they have pen marks on them. They show their independence, making it clear to her, that they would like to clean their hand themselves. n The childminder maintains all required policies and procedures, including child protection, and reviews them regularly. This helps her to successfully support

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need to do better?

22 November 2022 the smooth day-to-day running of her service. n Young children are supported well to learn about what is, and is not considered acceptable behaviour. The childminder provides close supervision and gives them clear information, for example, about why they must not hit others. The childminder is a particularly good role model to children in helping them learning about good manners. n The childminder promotes children's good health. She supports parents in providing their children with a healthy and balanced packed lunch each day. The childminder spends time talking to and engaging children in conversations about the health benefits of a balanced diet. n Children confidently initiate familiar songs and rhymes. They look to the childminder to join in and enthusiastically follow instructions to touch their head and toes. n Children show high levels of curiosity in all activities. The childminder supports

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need to do better?

this well by engaging with them and asking relevant questions. However, at times, she steps in too quickly during activities rather than allowing time for young children to work things out for themselves.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The childminder undertakes regular child protection training. This helps to ensure she remains familiar with her responsibilities to keep children safe. The childminder has a good understanding of what action to take if she were to have any concerns about a child in her care. She completes risk assessments of her home and any outings, and removes or makes safe any identified hazards. The childminder also shows a good understanding of wider child protection issues, such as 'Prevent' duty and county lines. She appreciates the possible risks to using the internet, and takes effective action to keep children safe.

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should:

n allow young children time to independently work things out for themselves to further support their critical thinking skills.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 127837 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 10234134 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 14 March 2017

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 1992 and lives in Ware. The childminder operates all year round, from 8am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, except for bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder holds a relevant level 3 early years qualification. The childminder provides funded early years education for two-, three- and four- year-old children.

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Inspection activities

n The inspector discussed the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic with the childminder, and this has been taken into account in their evaluation of the setting. This was the first routine inspection the setting received since the pandemic began. n The childminder and the inspector completed a learning walk of the childminder's home. n The inspector carried out a joint observation of an activity with the childminder, and together they evaluated this. n Children spoke to the inspector about what they were doing during the inspection. n The inspector reviewed relevant documentation, including the suitability checks of all adults living and working in the household. n The childminder spoke with the inspector at appropriate times during the inspection.

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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

22 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

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/ofsted

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