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 are happy and settled in the care of this supportive childminder. She warmly communicates with children during activities and discusses her actions to older children when helping others. As a result, older children begin to confidently narrate their own activities and the choices they make in play. Children learn to share from a young age. The childminder encourages children to share their ideas during activities, which supports them to develop their imagination.

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The provision is good

The childminder takes children on outings to local groups. This helps them to become confident in different social situations and learn about their community. Children benefit from riding on a real train with the childminder and their friends, to extend on their interest of vehicles. Children enjoy singing and story sessions at the local children's centre, to further develop their language and literacy skills.

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The provision is good

Children behave extremely well. They listen intently and respond positively to the childminder. Children have formed secure relationships with the childminder and their friends. This highlights they feel happy and safe in her care. Children are motivated to join in activities and show positive attitudes to learning. Older children smile with delight as they predict the outcome when mixing colours during a painting activity. They confidently identify the colour 'pink' when mixing two colours together.

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need to do better?

n The childminder has a firm understanding of the children in her care and the way that they learn. She has gained her knowledge and skills through her many years of experience as a childminder. She plans an exciting curriculum that focuses on children's interests and involves parents input of what they would like their child to learn next. Children are learning the skills that will support them in their next transition in learning. n The childminder encourages children to develop their communication and language skills. Children enjoy sharing stories snuggled up with the childminder. She skilfully uses these opportunities to introduce new language to young children such as 'smooth'. Children learn to develop a love for literature. They go on outings to explore the local library and this helps to support their literacy skills. The childminder encourages children to recall previous experiences to support their learning further. For example, when playing with cars the

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need to do better?

childminder talks to the children about the different road signs they have seen while on a walk and what they mean. n The childminder provides children with a range of healthy food and drink. She discusses with children the benefit of eating a balanced diet and the positive impact this can have on their teeth and well-being. Older children are

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need to do better?

13 March 2023 independent in their self-care practices such as handwashing and toileting. However, the childminder does not use all available opportunities to encourage older children to be independent at mealtimes. This does not support older children to learn essential skills for the future. n Older children enjoy learning about early mathematical concepts such as counting and colours. They show sound awareness of numbers in their environment and enjoy using 'money' to buy different items. Younger children happily play alongside older children. However, activities are not always adapted to meet the developmental stages of younger children. This means they do not fully benefit from the learning experiences provided. n Partnerships with parents are strong. Parents report they trust the childminder completely and state that she has formed wonderful relationships with the children in her care. Parents feel the childminder goes, 'above and beyond' and

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need to do better?

value the new experiences she provides for them daily. n An effective settling-in process ensures the childminder gains information on what children already know and can do before they start. She uses observation and assessment to track children's progress and this information is shared with parents. This encourages parents to share their own views on what they would like their child to learn next and promote consistency in children's learning. The childminder swiftly identifies any potential gaps in children's learning to signpost parents to additional support if required. As a result, all children make good progress from their starting points.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The childminder prioritises children's welfare and safety. She has a clear understanding of her responsibilities and is confident in identifying the signs of abuse. The childminder is aware of the action she would take to record and report concerns about a child. She has undertaken regular training on wider safeguarding issues, including preventing radicalisation. The childminder is vigilant in recognising any concerns, such as children using language that is not age-appropriate. A continuous risk-assessment process ensures the environment and activities she provides are safe and suitable for all children. This helps to ensure all that children are protected from harm.

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should:

n provide older children with appropriate challenges during mealtimes to develop their independence n review the planning of activities to meet the level of development for all children, particularly the youngest children.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 124027 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 10280487 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 6 Number of children on roll 7 Date of previous inspection 22 August 2017

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 1997 and lives in Cheshunt. She operates Monday to Friday, from 7am to 7pm, all year round, except for bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder holds an appropriate early years qualification at level 3. She provides funded early years education for two-, three- and four-year-old children.

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Inspection activities

n This was the first routine inspection the childminder has received since the COVID-19 pandemic began. The inspector discussed the impact of the pandemic with her and has taken that into account in their evaluation of the provision. n The childminder showed the inspector the premises and discussed how they ensure it is safe and suitable. n The childminder and the inspector discussed how the childminder organises the play environment that children access in her home. She discussed how she plans her curriculum and the experiences she provides for children. n The inspector observed the interactions between the childminder and children. n The childminder and inspector discussed how the curriculum had been implemented and the impact that this had on children's learning. n The childminder provided the inspector with a sample of key documentation on request, including evidence of training and the suitability of household members.

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Inspection activities

n The inspector took account of the views of parents 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

13 March 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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