Childminder in Hertfordshire

Overall effectiveness Requires improvement

The quality of education Requires improvement Behaviour and attitudes Requires improvement Personal development Requires improvement Leadership and management Requires improvement Overall effectiveness at previous inspection Not applicable

p.1

The provision requires improvement

Children are settled and enjoy their time with this childminder. The relationships between the children and childminder are very good. The childminder creates a home-from-home environment for the children and is warm and welcoming. Older children are confident and encouraged to choose what they would like to play with and the stories they would like to read. The childminder sets up activities that relate to the children's interests. Older children move independently between the two rooms. Expectations of behaviour for the older children are high and consistent, and the childminder models good behaviour throughout the session. Children are encouraged to share, take turns and be kind to each other. The childminder supports children to resolve conflict effectively and helps them to express their emotions constructively.

p.2

The provision requires improvement

Learning opportunities are sometimes missed by the childminder. Activities are often not extended to ensure the children get the most from the learning experience. For example, during a play-dough activity with different toy dental apparatus, the conversation was limited and there were missed opportunities to talk to the children about oral health. The curriculum is not delivered consistently across all the ages. The curriculum provided by the childminder is focused around the older children who attend, and there are less learning opportunities for the babies.

p.2

need to do better?

n The curriculum is not ambitious and does not take into account the needs of the all the children who attend the setting, specifically the younger children. The planned activities are focused on the older children and are not differentiated to enable younger children to get involved. The activities set out are often not appropriate for the age and stage of the youngest children. n The childminder's implementation of the curriculum is not consistent across the age groups. There are lots of opportunities for older children to develop their communication and language skills, but often the babies are not included in this. For example, younger children sit on the floor and eat their snack, while the older children are at the table and engage in conversation with the childminder and each other. Babies are often not engaged and therefore have limited opportunities to develop their communication and language skills.

p.2

need to do better?

n There are some activities in the day that are not appropriately planned for, when children are not engaged and learning does not take place. This mainly takes place at rest time, when some of the children are sleeping and some children are awake. These periods of the day are not effectively planned for. n Pre-school children are supported to be independent throughout the day. They wash their own hands and help themselves to drinks, asking for help when they

p.2

need to do better?

23 February 2023 need it. Children demonstrate good understanding of hygiene as they wash their hands before snack. n The childminder supports children in their behaviour and provides older children with the skills necessary to resolve conflict effectively. The childminder consistently encourages the older children to take turns and to share while they are playing together. The older children work well together and demonstrate good understanding of each other's emotions. n The childminder has good partnerships with parents. Parents speak very highly of the childminder and the relationships she has with the children. Parents state that their children have made good progress since being there. The childminder communicates with the parents throughout the day about what their children are doing. Parents highlight that their children are happy, settled and enjoy their time with the childminder. n The childminder demonstrates good knowledge of the children who attend her

p.2

need to do better?

setting. She can clearly identify what their interests are, what they have learned since they started attending and what she is currently working on with them.

p.3

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

p.3

Safeguarding

The childminder demonstrates robust knowledge of safeguarding. The childminder is clear about the signs of abuse, including female genital mutilation. The childminder understands the appropriate procedure to follow if a child does not attend a session unexpectedly. The childminder knows how to make referrals and who to if there are any concerns about the children in their care. The childminder is clear about local authority guidance. The childminder regularly undertakes online training courses to stay up to date with her safeguarding knowledge.

p.3

Due date

give young children more opportunities to engage in the curriculum and work to improve the provision to further support younger children's learning 31/05/2023

p.3

Due date

ensure that the curriculum is successfully planned for throughout the day and that children are given consistent opportunities to engage in learning. 31/05/2023

p.3

Setting details

Unique reference number 2600810 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 10262921 Type of provision Childminder

p.4

Registers

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

p.4

inspection

Total number of places 5 Number of children on roll 6 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

p.4

Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2020. She operates all year round from 7.30am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, except for bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder holds an appropriate qualification at level 3.

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 provider and has taken that into account in their evaluation of the setting. n Inspector discussed with the childminder the intent for their curriculum. n The inspector conducted a planned observation of an activity which was then discussed with the childminder. n The inspector tracked the experiences of two children that attend the setting. n The inspector spent time making general observations. n The inspector had discussions with the childminder to assess their understanding of safeguarding.

p.4

Inspection activities

23 February 2023 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.

p.4

Inspection activities

23 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.

p.5

Inspection activities

If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 1231, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk .

p.6

Inspection activities

You may reuse this information (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. To view this licence, visit www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/ , write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk

p.6

Inspection activities

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more information and updates: http://eepurl.com/iTrDn .

p.6

Inspection activities

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/ofsted

p.6