Dawkins, Holly Amber

Overall effectiveness Good

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

p.1

The provision is good

Children feel safe in the childminder's care. They develop secure attachments with her and often look to her for comfort. Children are happy and relaxed in the childminder's care and enjoy welcoming her into their play. Children spend long periods of time at activities. The childminder skilfully adapts activities to meet the differing learning needs of the children in her care. The childminder encourages children to play together, developing their social skills. For example, in the garden, the childminder encourages children to roll a ball to each other. This develops their skills at taking turns and sharing toys with each other. The childminder knows her children very well. She uses this knowledge to recognise when younger babies are cold and do not want to be in the garden anymore. This supports children's general well-being.

p.2

The provision is good

The childminder has high expectations for children's behaviour. They are kind and develop good friendships with each other. Children display high levels of confidence and are happy to talk to visitors in the setting. Children's work is proudly displayed within the setting, giving children a real sense of belonging. Children inform the childminder of work they wish to display, proudly showing it to their friends.

p.2

need to do better?

n Children have access to a well-balanced curriculum. Children flourish as the childminder uses their interests to create activities. The childminder adapts planned activities as children input their own ideas, following their lead and supporting children's learning even further. The childminder uses a range of open-ended and closed questions to support children's learning. However, she does not always encourage children to think of their own ideas when playing or solving problems. n Children benefit from healthy, well-balanced meals and snacks. The childminder talks to children about oral health and the health benefits of brushing their teeth daily. Children have access to daily outdoor physical activities, regardless of the weather. Children enjoy walking along the balance beam and digging in the sandpit. n The childminder develops her knowledge of children with special educational needs and/or disabilities regularly. This ensures she is up to date with any

p.2

need to do better?

changes to procedures within the local authority. The childminder works closely with families and supports them with referrals to professionals. Parents comment that their children make good progress while in the care of the childminder. n Young babies are encouraged to develop their communication and language by the childminder. She narrates activities as children are completing them, exposing them to spoken English. The childminder holds eye contact with

p.2

need to do better?

27 February 2023 children. This ensures children are listening to her and understand any instructions she has given them. Children delight as they join in the actions during song time. n The childminder uses mathematical language within children's play throughout the day. She helps develop their counting skills as she counts the number of trains attached to each other. Later, children roll the dice and count the number of spots they can see. They match this to a colour to create their own rainbow. Children enjoy talking about the different numbers they see. They smile as they recognise the numbers they need to finish their rainbow. n The childminder's setting has a real home-from-home atmosphere. Children enjoy talking about their families with each other, celebrating and sharing experiences. Children proudly show off pictures of their new baby brother to their friends. They happily talk about changes to their family make up as other

p.2

need to do better?

children talk about their own brothers and sisters. n Parents find the childminder friendly, welcoming and approachable. Parents receive a lot of information about children's development and feel part of their children's learning journey. Parents highly recommend the childminder, as their children are so happy in her care. n The childminder regularly reflects on her practice. She accesses training, sharing knowledge with her assistants to improve practice across the setting. The childminder works closely with another childminder and childcare setting. They continuously observe each other to improve their practice. The childminder enjoys working with other practitioners, knowing this is beneficial to her children.

p.3

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

p.3

Safeguarding

The childminder is clear on her responsibility to record and report any concerns she may have about a child in her care. She is confident in recognising any signs or symptoms of abuse, highlighting her knowledge of the children as a key reason for this. The childminder understands the impact of allegations made against her and is clear of the procedures she must follow in the event this happens. The childminder ensures her assistants are suitable to work with children and regularly checks this. Robust policies and procedures underpin the childminder's practice.

p.3

should:

n encourage children to develop their own ideas within play and think about how they may be able to fix any problems they face.

p.3

Setting details

Unique reference number 2620867 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 10260257 Type of provision Childminder

p.4

Registers

Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register Day care type Childminder

p.4

inspection

Total number of places 2 Number of children on roll 30 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

p.4

Information about this early years setting

The childminder was registered in 2021. She works with up to five other childminders at The Funny Farm in Abbots Langley. She operates all year round from 7.30am to 5.30pm, Monday to Friday. The childminder holds an appropriate early years qualifications 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 provider. n The childminder and the inspector discussed how the childminder organises their early years provision, including the aims and rationale for their early years foundation stage curriculum. n Assistants spoke to the inspector during the inspection. n The inspector and childminder talked about the education she provides, indoors and outdoors, and assessed the impact that this was having on children's learning. n The inspector carried out a joint observation of a group activity with the childminder. n The childminder and inspector discussed how the curriculum had been implemented and the impact that this had on children's learning. n The inspector spoke to parents during the inspection and took account of their

p.5

Inspection activities

views. n The childminder provided the inspector with a sample of key documentation on request.

p.5

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.

p.5

Inspection activities

27 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