Fisher, Nicola Jayne

Overall effectiveness Good

The quality of education Good Behaviour and attitudes Good Personal development Good Leadership and management Good Overall effectiveness at previous inspection Outstanding

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The provision is good

The childminder works closely with one assistant, who supports her with the day- to-day running of the setting. Children are settled and relaxed in the childminder's care. They have positive relationships with each other and happily play and share toys with one another. The children show a great interest in listening to the childminder sing nursery rhymes and enjoy singing along and taking part in the actions. Older children show confidence as they bring some of their favourite toys from inside the setting to the garden and share with others. For example, they hold a tea party, with cups and saucers, pretend food and plates. They serve each other food and pretend to cook it at the picnic table. Children chat to each other and to the adults about what they are doing and what food they are eating.

p.2

The provision is good

Children play with a variety of ride-on toys that encourage different types of movement. Some children scoot around on two wheels and use their feet to push. Others sit on bicycles with three wheels, using the pedals to move forwards or backwards. This supports the development of children's gross motor skills and balance. Older children roll cars down an icy slide, watching their movement and where they stop. Younger children practise their mobility and hand-eye coordination when they crawl to explore the garden apparatus with their friends. They create music and different sounds by banging sticks on to coloured instrument pipes.

p.2

need to do better?

n The childminder's curriculum is based on children's interests and next steps in learning. She ensures that she regularly observes and tracks progress so that she can confidently meet their needs. She has well-thought-out settling-in procedures that she adapts to each child and the individual parent's needs and wishes. This helps to ensure that children feel secure and that they get the best possible start at the setting. n The childminder promotes children's physical and social development by ensuring they have regular opportunities for play, outside and in the local community. She takes children on regular nature walks, to the zoo and to local playgroups. Children play in the garden with climbing apparatus and other toys. This helps to broaden their range of experiences and offers the opportunity to socialise with others. However, the routines and transitions to enable these activities to take place are disorganised. This has an impact on the children's

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need to do better?

emotional well-being and limits their time for learning and physical activity. n Children develop good skills to promote their independence. The childminder encourages them to put on their hats and outdoor clothing independently. Children wash their hands and attend to their own toileting needs. The childminder encourages children in a fun way to tidy away their toys. Older

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need to do better?

19 January 2023 children sit at the dinner table independently, ready for their meal. Each child picks their own coloured bowl and healthy snack. This promotes the children's confidence and ability to make choices. n Children have a good understanding about how they keep themselves safe. They understand road safety and learn to use their senses to spot hazards. Children learn about social distancing measures and to hold hands with one another or an adult. The childminder discusses the house rules with the children regularly and completes risk assessments daily. n The childminder has a good awareness of children's individual needs. They receive regular opportunities for imaginative and creative play. Children take part in a variety of new and interesting experiences, such as creating dragon crafts for Chinese New Year and pancakes for Shrove Tuesday. However, the childminder sometimes overlooks opportunities for children to learn important

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need to do better?

early mathematical language and concepts. n Feedback from parents is positive. They are happy with the activities provided and with the progress their children make. Parents feel that the learning environment is positive and fun and make reference to the childminder's caring attitude and supportive manner. Parents are happy with the communication they receive and feel informed about their children's day. n The childminder and her assistant have attended relevant training to support their professional development. They are able to identify new training ideas and regularly evaluate their setting together to improve the resources and opportunities on offer for the children. The childminder has regular meetings with her assistant to allow for planning and reflection of their practice.

p.3

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

p.3

Safeguarding

The childminder and her assistant show a good awareness of their safeguarding responsibilities. They are aware of the possible signs that may indicate that children are being abused and the procedures to follow to protect them in an appropriate and timely manner. The childminder is aware of wider safeguarding issues, such as radicalisation and county lines. The childminder and her assistant are clear about complaint and allegation procedures and have the relevant contact information if they need to make any referrals or seek professional advice.

p.3

should:

n establish clear routines and planned transitions to ensure children's emotional well-being and physical development are fully supported n provide more opportunities for children to learn early mathematical language and concepts within the setting.

p.3

Setting details

Unique reference number EY374187 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 10265145 Type of provision Childminder

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Registers

Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register Day care type Childminder

p.4

inspection

Total number of places 12 Number of children on roll 31 Date of previous inspection 25 May 2017

p.4

Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2008 and lives in Berkhamsted. She operates her provision all year round, from 7.30am to 6.30pm, Monday to Thursday, except for bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder holds an appropriate early years qualification at level 3. She provides funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children.

p.4

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 provider. n The childminder had a learning discussion with the inspector. This enabled the childminder to discuss how her curriculum and setting are organised for children's learning. n The inspector took account of the views of parents from written feedback. n The childminder and the inspector carried out a joint observation and evaluated this together. n The inspector observed children at play and assessed the impact of the curriculum on their learning. n The childminder shared a sample of documents with the inspector. This included evidence of training and two-year progress checks for children. n The inspector interacted with the children at appropriate times during the inspection and observed their interactions with the childminder and her

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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

19 January 2023 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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