Kerrigan, Helen

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 thoroughly enjoy the time they spend with the nurturing childminder. They are relaxed, happy and confident individuals. Children introduce themselves to the inspector and excitedly talk about what they are looking forward to. This demonstrates that they feel safe and secure. Children make independent choices about what they would like to play with from a rich range of resources. They concentrate for an extensive period of time as they manipulate play dough. Children confidently use small tools, such as toy scissors, to cut small pieces of the dough. This helps to build the small muscles in their hands.

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The provision is good

Children behave well. They demonstrate their care for each other and the childminder as they give play dough hearts that they have made, saying, 'This is for you.' They also use good manners when the childminder offers them the healthy range of foods she provides. Children benefit from a variety of outings that enhance their understanding of the wider world. They visit local farms, learning that milk is produced by cows and experiencing feeding lambs with bottles of milk. Children show a strong love of books. This helps to support their early literacy skills.

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need to do better?

n The childminder has a well-thought-out and progressive education programme. She skilfully uses her observations of children's play and information from parents to identify what children need to learn next. Children are very keen to learn and make good progress from their starting points. n Partnerships with parents are strong. The childminder ensures that she keeps parents well informed of children's achievements, what they are working towards next, and ideas to support learning at home. Parents describe the childminder as 'extremely warm and inviting', and say that their children benefit from a 'home-from-home' environment. n Overall, the childminder supports children to develop their language skills well. She speaks clearly and regularly provides a commentary to her own and children's actions. This helps children to link words in context. She actively listens to children's emerging vocabulary and sensitively supports the correct

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need to do better?

pronunciation of words that they say. The childminder introduces children to new words, such as 'festive'. Her clear explanations help children to understand the meaning of this. However, she does not fully support children who speak English as an additional language in using their home language during play to further enhance their speaking skills. n The childminder continually seeks to gain new knowledge. She shares good practice with a close network of local childminders and is a member of professional associations which she uses to undertake regular training and gain

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need to do better?

7 December 2022 ideas for good practice. Recent training has increased her understanding of meeting children's emotional needs during changes in their lives, such as bereavement. n The childminder generally interacts well with children, which helps them to extend their play. She introduces them to mathematical concepts and encourages them to make comparisons between differently sized balls. However, she does not always support children to find solutions to problems themselves. For example, she is quick to rotate shape cutters the correct way and push out play dough from the shapes when it sticks. This does not support children to develop their critical-thinking skills. n Children form strong emotional attachments with the childminder. They snuggle up to her as she reads them their chosen books and they swiftly settle to sleep. Children play harmoniously together and develop strong bonds with each other.

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need to do better?

They show that they understand the high expectations that the childminder sets. n The childminder ensures that children benefit from plenty of fresh air in her garden and during frequent visits to local parks. Children receive a good level of challenge to develop their physical skills as they negotiate large apparatus and assess their own risks. For instance, they learn how to move their legs backwards and forwards to push themselves on a swing, and climb the steps to a slide.

p.3

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

p.3

Safeguarding

The childminder completes thorough risk assessments of her home and garden to ensure that children can play safely. She always supervises children well and ensures that they are safely secured in their highchair or booster seat. The childminder has a secure knowledge of safeguarding children and the processes to follow should she have concerns about a child. She is aware of potential signs and symptoms that may indicate that a child is at risk of harm. This includes concerns relating to extreme views and practices. Strict procedures are in place to ensure that children are only collected by individuals who have permission to do so.

p.3

should:

n enhance opportunities for children to hear and use their home language n offer children further opportunities that support them in thinking things through and finding their own solutions to problems that arise during their play.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 495312 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 10234549 Type of provision Childminder

p.4

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 17 January 2017

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2001 and lives in Welwyn Garden City. She operates from 7.30am until 5.30pm, Monday to Friday, all year round, except for bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder holds an appropriate childcare qualification at level 3. There were no children present in receipt of funding at the time of inspection.

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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 her evaluation of the setting. n The inspector observed the quality of teaching during activities indoors and assessed the impact this has on children's learning. n The inspector completed a joint evaluation of an activity with the childminder. n The inspector held a number of discussions with the childminder and children at appropriate times during the inspection. She looked at relevant documentation, such as the childminder's first-aid qualification. n The inspector took account of the views of parents through written feedback provided.

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Inspection activities

7 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

7 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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