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

The children have a good bond with their childminder. They confidently talk to adults and regularly include the childminder in their play. Younger children babble and smile and repeat words that they hear. Children move freely around the setting, playing with the toys that have been set out for them. They enjoy accessing both the indoor and outdoor environment, and they are encouraged to create and use their own imagination. For example, children use paint and marker pens to draw and doodle using the mark-making area, and they play with dinosaurs and soil outside in the garden. Younger children enjoy looking at books and coloured feathers from a St. Valentine's Day display.

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The provision is good

The childminder has high expectations for all children. Children listen to the childminder and follow instructions well, showing understanding and familiarity with the daily routine. Older children have impeccable manners, take turns and wait to speak if somebody else is already talking. They help to take care of the younger children and pack toys away when they have finished playing, ready for lunchtime. Younger children are working on their mobility and their developing vocabularies. For instance, they are supported to walk across the room holding the childminder's hands for support. They are linking two words together such as 'did it' when they learn to do something new.

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need to do better?

n The childminder's curriculum intent is based on children's interests and their next steps. She ensures that she regularly observes and tracks children's development and uses this information to help plan interesting activities. However, she does not consistently adapt these activities for the youngest children, to ensure they receive the same high-quality and challenging learning experiences as the older children. n Children are supported in developing their communication and language skills. Older children learn that writing has meaning as the childminder supports them to follow written instructions. She sounds out letters and words from ingredient sheets that help them to make slime and play dough. The childminder supports older children with reading more tricky words and models language to the younger children during activities. n The childminder provides activities that teach children about different festivals

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need to do better?

and celebrations. For example, the children make Valentine's cards for those that they care about, and they had great fun creating their own kites for National Kite Day. Crafts and pictures are displayed on boards in the playroom for the children to look at and be proud of. They eagerly chat away to adults about the things that they have done. n Feedback from parents is positive. They feel their children are thriving in the

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need to do better?

15 February 2023 care of the childminder and make reference to her supportive and caring nature. Parents appreciate the childminder's wealth of experience and note how she works in close partnership with other professionals to ensure the best progress for their children. n Children regularly go on forest walks, visit local lakes to feed the wildlife and attend playgroups together. This helps to deepen their understanding of the world around them and broadens their range of experiences. n Children behave well. The childminder supports them to become independent. They wash and dry their own hands and sit ready to eat at the table for lunch. Older children find their own outdoor clothing and shoes and put them on ready to go and play outside. The childminder ensures that she offers choice so that children can make their own decisions. For example, children choose which scent and colour they wish to use to make play dough and slime, and they pick

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need to do better?

which tools they want to use to mix the ingredients together. This helps children to develop confidence in their own decisions and encourages problem solving. n The childminder takes positive steps to improve her practice. For instance, she organises a local playgroup where she networks with other childminders and parents to share ideas and information. She attends relevant training and regularly researches information on the internet to keep her knowledge in other areas up to date. The childminder works with one part-time assistant. She ensures that she holds regular meetings with her to allow for planning and reflection on their practice and the care they provide.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The childminder has a good understanding of signs and symptoms of abuse, such as those associated with domestic abuse and female genital mutilation. She knows how to refer potential concerns about children's safety and how to respond in the event of an allegation. The childminder undertakes regular training to keep herself up to date with changes in first aid and safeguarding procedures. She also shows her understanding of what she should report to Ofsted and how to keep the children safe in relation to potential hazards.

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should:

n enhance learning opportunities for the youngest children so that they receive the same high-quality and challenging learning experiences as the older children.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY264699 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 10264689 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 10 Date of previous inspection 22 June 2017

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2003 and lives in Stevenage, Hertfordshire. The childminder operates all year round, from 8am until 6pm, Monday to Thursday, except for bank holidays and family holidays. She works with one part-time assistant. She holds an appropriate early years qualification at level 3. 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 provider. n The childminder and the inspector completed a learning walk together to understand how the early years provision and curriculum are organised. n The inspector made observations throughout the inspection of children's experiences in the setting. n Parents shared their views of the childminder's setting with the inspector through written feedback. n The childminder and the inspector carried out a joint observation. n The inspector interacted with the children at appropriate times during the inspection and observed their interactions with the childminder. n The inspector viewed the areas of the premises that are used for childminding. n The childminder shared a sample of documents with the inspector. This

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Inspection activities

included evidence of training and children's assessments.

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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

15 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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