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 develop good physical skills. They take part in, and enjoy, fun physical sessions that encourage children to move their bodies in different ways. For example, children pretend to be a range of different objects, such as frogs and trees, as they demonstrate their imaginative skills. Children are confident to share their ideas with the childminder as she encourages them to make choices about what they want to be next. This helps to build children's confidence and encourages their imaginations.

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The provision is good

Children have effective bonds and attachments with the childminder and her co- childminder. For example, young babies demonstrate that they feel safe and settled. Their interactions are strong as they make eye contact with the childminder during their feeds. The childminder gives appropriate cuddles to young children when they become unsettled, soothing them and reassuring them. This helps children to feel safe.

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The provision is good

Children demonstrate their understanding of expected behaviours. For example, during activities, they remind other children around them of the need to share the toys. The childminder and her co-childminder are consistent in their approach to managing children's behaviour. This helps children develop an understanding of their expectations. The childminder promotes children's confidence. For example, she tells them how amazing they are after their physical activity session.

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need to do better?

n The childminder has reflected on her behaviour management policy and procedures and has amended the strategies that her and her co-childminder implement. They support children to learn about sharing and taking turns during everyday opportunities, and the importance in being kind to each other. Children are supported to think about their actions, when for example, they bump into each other and how other children might feel. The childminder praises children as, for example, they choose to say sorry, promoting their self-esteem. n Children's individual learning styles are recognised, and the childminder and her co-childminder adapt their setting to accommodate this. The childminder uses regular assessments to monitor children's learning and development. This supports her to identify children's achievements and any gaps in their development. However, the childminder does not consistently recognise when to

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need to do better?

adjust her teaching during activities and communications to enhance learning for the most-able children. n During mealtimes, the childminder supports children to use appropriate manners. The children are confident to eat independently and their individual dietary needs are met. However, the childminder does not support children to

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need to do better?

2 February 2023 learn about the importance of good health. For example, children are not encouraged to use a tissue, cover their mouths or wash their hands after coughing. This does not help to prevent the spread of infection. n The childminder teaches children well through her positive interactions with them. She introduces numbers to children as they play, via methods such as helping them to count. The childminder gives children time to explore space and shape as they line up and stack the wooden blocks. She interacts warmly with the children and encourages them to test out their ideas, such as how tall can they build the blocks before they fall. This helps to support children's understanding of early mathematical concepts. n Children thoroughly enjoy being outside in the fresh air. Very young children enjoy good opportunities to be active and develop their physical skills. For example, the childminder encourages children to stretch out and explore during

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need to do better?

'tummy time'. Additionally, young children enjoy the feel of different textures as they sit with the childminder on the trampoline and watch the bouncing balls with interest. n The childminder works closely with her co-childminder. They support and help each other daily, discussing their strengths and areas for improvements. They extend their continuous professional development through online training and individual research, which they then share between them to help each other. This helps them to evaluate and improve. n Parents speak positively about the childminder and her co-childminder. They regularly provide feedback through discussion and questionnaires. Parents comment that their children are happy and developing well in the care of the childminder.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The childminder has a good knowledge and understanding of keeping children safe and has recently undertaking some additional safeguarding training to enhance her awareness. She is aware of the signs and symptoms that may indicate a child is at risk of harm and the procedures to follow in order to refer concerns in a timely manner. The childminder operates from her co-childminder's home but is equally as responsible for risk assessing to ensure that children remain safe. This has a positive impact on children's safety.

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should:

n help children to develop an understanding of how appropriate hygiene practices support their good health n consider ways to develop learning opportunities for the most-able children.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY440382 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 10271629 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 12 Number of children on roll 8 Date of previous inspection 7 January 2020

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2012 and lives in Hemel Hempstead. She operates all year round, Monday to Friday, from 8am to 5.30pm, except for bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder holds an appropriate early years qualification at level 2. She works alongside a co-childminder who holds an appropriate early years qualification at level 3, from the co-childminder's home. The childminder provides funded early education for children aged two, three and four years old.

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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. n The inspector observed the childminder's interactions with children during indoor and outdoor activities and reviewed this with the childminder. n The inspector took into account the views of parents through discussion and a review of their written feedback. n A sample of documentation was examined. This included the childminder's paediatric first-aid qualification. n The childminder and the inspector held a learning discussion together to understand how the areas of learning are organised. n The inspector spoke with children during the inspection. Older children told the inspector what they liked to do while at the co-childminder's home.

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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

2 February 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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