Hards, 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 have interesting and enjoyable days with the childminder. Her home is very welcoming and well organised. This helps to support children to become confident, independent learners. Children develop close relationships with the childminder and enjoy their time with her. They show that they feel safe and secure in her care. The childminder is an excellent role model. She has high expectations for children's behaviour, which she manages calmly and effectively. Children learn how to share and to be kind to others. They understand the routines and eagerly help to tidy away toys when they have finished with them.

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The provision is good

Children enjoy many outings in the local community. They attend local groups, where they can meet and play with other children. This helps to develop their social skills and increases their confidence. Children make marks in play dough, and use paint, chalks and pencils. These activities promote children's small-muscle skills and help them to prepare for early writing. The childminder uses the natural environment to extend children's learning. For example, they enjoy 'pond dipping', where they use fishing nets to catch tadpoles. Children help to keep the local area tidy by picking up the litter when they are out. They quickly become independent. For example, children use knives safely to cut up their fruit, wipe their hands and face after lunch, and put on their shoes and coats. The childminder recognises that these are important skills for children to acquire, ready for when they start school.

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need to do better?

n The childminder provides children with a broad and varied curriculum that captivates their interest. She values and respects children's individuality. The childminder knows the children very well and understands what they need to learn next. However, at times, she does not focus precisely enough on what it is she wants individual children to learn from the activities she plans for them. n The childminder encourages children to have healthy lifestyles. Children enjoy eating fruit at snack time. They grow vegetables in the childminder's garden. When these are ready, children harvest them and have them for their lunch. This helps to encourage children to eat vegetables. Children rest when needed, and have daily opportunities for fresh air and exercise outdoors. n Children thoroughly enjoy looking at books. They cuddle up to the childminder as she reads stories to them. Children proudly fill in the gaps when she misses

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need to do better?

out words in familiar stories. They learn new words such as 'cocoon' and 'pickle' during the story about a hungry caterpillar. The childminder encourages children to count and use mathematical language. For example, children count how many pieces of fruit the caterpillar eats. n The childminder offers good support as young children begin to develop their speaking skills. Children eagerly join in with familiar songs and rhymes. The

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need to do better?

30 January 2023 childminder asks children questions as they listen to stories, play and explore. However, occasionally, she does not give children enough time to think and respond with their own thoughts and ideas. n The childminder ensures children have many exciting experiences and opportunities to enhance their knowledge of the wider world. For example, they enjoy going to the library on a bus. The childminder also takes children to an aerodrome to see the aeroplanes. They have fun sitting inside them. Children happily recall their trips to the local shops to buy fruit. They enjoy outings to the local garden centre, where they visit the animals at 'pets corner'. n Children play happily as the childminder makes learning fun. They show confidence and curiosity during their play. For example, children are very keen to explore a large cardboard box. They crawl inside and have fun sitting on the cushions in their 'den'. The childminder has cut out different shapes for the

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need to do better?

windows. Young children are beginning to recognise shapes, such as a circle and a triangle. n The childminder has excellent relationships with parents. They describe her as being very 'professional, friendly and approachable'. Parents say that their children love being with the childminder and that they have made very good progress. The childminder keeps parents informed of their children's progress, which also helps them to support their children's learning at home.

p.3

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

p.3

Safeguarding

The childminder has a very good knowledge of how to safeguard children. She understands the procedures to follow if she has any concerns about children's welfare. The childminder and her assistant keep their knowledge up to date by accessing regular safeguarding training. The childminder has a detailed safeguarding policy with relevant contact numbers that she can access if needed. She is aware of her duty to prevent children from being drawn into extreme views. The childminder teaches children from a young age about how they can keep themselves safe. For example, they learn how to cross the road safely.

p.3

should:

n focus more precisely on the aims and intentions for children's learning, to ensure they all make maximum progress n allow children more time to think, answer and respond to questions, to further support their language and critical thinking.

p.3

Setting details

Unique reference number EY262759 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 10264277 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 19 Date of previous inspection 9 June 2017

p.4

Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2003 and lives in Hemel Hempstead. She operates all year round from 7am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, except for bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder holds an appropriate early years qualification at level 3 and sometimes works with an assistant. She provides funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children.

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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 of the setting. n The childminder showed the inspector the areas of her home that children access. They discussed how the childminder organises her setting and plans the curriculum and experiences for children. n The inspector observed children and the childminder taking part in activities and assessed the impact this has on children's learning. The inspector and the childminder reflected on a learning experience for children. n The childminder shared a sample of documents with the inspector. This included evidence of training and the suitability of those living on the premises. n The inspector took account of the views of parents from speaking to a parent, and from the written feedback provided.

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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

30 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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