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 curiously explore and are settled and happy. They are encouraged in their interests and respond well to the childminder's loving and calm approach. Children show an interest in singing. For example, children sing 'sleeping bunnies' and lie down alongside one another and put their fingers to their lips to mimic sleeping. The childminder uses rich language to extend children's communication and language. For example, children use more specific words for an orange, such as 'satsuma', and can identify this as a fruit.

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The provision is good

The childminder supports the children with care routines so they understand when to wipe their noses and to clean their hands after activities. For example, children discuss cleaning their hands after they have been exploring with sticky glue, and say 'all clean' after independently wiping their own hands. Children show high levels of engagement during role play. They enjoy using tongs to develop their physical skills.

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The provision is good

The childminder is responsive to children's play and learning, gently supporting children's imagination by extending their play ideas. For example, the children explore a roller and hold this up to their eyes, and the childminder extends their imaginations by introducing the idea of pirates and boats. The children enjoy play dough activities when they use their hands to roll, pinch and squash. They create 'wiggly worms' and describe textures as 'soft' and 'scrunchy' in their hands. The children have established a strong bond with the childminder and show enthusiasm to learn.

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need to do better?

n The childminder ensures policies and procedures are up to date to support children and their well-being. She regularly undertakes training in child protection to ensure the safeguarding of children remains a key priority. The childminder is reflective and able to discuss adaptations that can be made to support children and develop their learning. n Parents speak highly of the childminder and how she has been recommended by other parents. Children are supported with settling in and parents are encouraged to stay and play to further develop the settling-in process. The childminder has built effective parental partnerships and communicates regularly about children's progress. n Children are supported with engaging in their interests as they develop good opportunities to extend their communication and language. They are able to explore resources and take part in a range of activities. However, sometimes,

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need to do better?

activities are not best organised to ensure that children are deeply engaged throughout.

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need to do better?

5 December 2022 n Children have opportunities to explore role play and have an understanding of various foods. For instance, the children use tongs to pick up vegetables, and use an apron to put on over their clothes to work in the kitchen with one another. n The childminder supports children by promoting positive behaviour and using 'kind hands' during interactions and activities. However, the childminder does not further support children with turn taking to enhance their interactions with one another. n The childminder supports children with celebrations and how these can be adapted to children's individual needs and their families. Children enjoy outings where they visit local shops in the village and have opportunities to extend their play, both indoors and outdoors. n The childminder skilfully adapts mark-making activities to support children's current developmental stage in their fine motor skills. For instance, she gives

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need to do better?

children opportunities to mark make using various tools to support their grip, to help secure this development before moving on. n Children are able to make independent choices about what they would like to eat. The childminder discusses the positive effects of eating and supports parents with advice on the nutritional value of balanced meals and snacks. Children are supported with frequent and regular drinks of water and they enjoy helping to fill up their own cups. n The childminder understands children's development and what next steps can further support their learning. Progress checks are created from information about individual children's development with the use of supporting guidance to plan what children will learn next.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The childminder undertakes regular training to keep up to date with child protection processes and procedures. She understands wider issues, such as the 'Prevent' duty, and is able to recognise signs of abuse and neglect. The childminder is able to discuss the importance of responding to any concerns and reporting these without delay. She has useful information to help support the safety of all children in her care.

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should:

n support children with turn-taking and sharing, to enhance their interactions with one another n develop the ways in which activities are offered to children to minimise long periods of sitting, to help children deeply engage in learning opportunities

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY304673 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 10263483 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 3 Date of previous inspection 3 May 2017

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2005. She operates all year round, from 8.30am to 5.30pm, Monday to Thursday, except for bank holidays and family holidays.

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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 provider and has taken that into account in their evaluation of the provider. n The inspector observed activities and assessed the impact these had on children's learning. The childminder and the inspector discussed the childminder's intentions for children's learning. n The inspector spoke to children to find out about their time at the setting. n The inspector spoke to parents during the inspection and viewed additional written feedback from parents and took into account their views. n The inspector viewed relevant documentation, such as the childminder's paediatric first-aid certificate, safeguarding procedures and proof of the suitability of household members.

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Inspection activities

5 December 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

5 December 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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