Welch, Susan Gail

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 show that they feel safe and secure in this deeply nurturing home. The childminder's calm nature helps them to settle quickly and build strong attachments with her. Children have fun being able to choose the toys and resources they want to play with. They are curious and motivated to learn. For example, they persevere to fasten a nappy on a dolly after the childminder has shown them how to do this. Children are independent from a young age. They make excellent attempts to put on their shoes and use a spoon to feed themselves.

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The provision is good

Children benefit from a wide range of experiences that helps them to learn about the world around them. Visits to wildlife parks offer children the chance to learn about different animals and the noises they make. Outings using different modes of transport, such as a double decker bus, offer children experiences that they may not have had before. Children have a real sense of belonging. Their artwork is displayed for them to see, and they look at photographs to discover how they have changed over the year. This helps to develop their self-esteem. The childminder makes nappy changing a fun and interactive experience, where children laugh and smile with delight. They receive clear messages about the importance of following a good hygiene routine.

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need to do better?

n The childminder's exceptional partnership with parents is clear through the overwhelming praise they have for her. Parents appreciate how she arranges play dates with children who are already attending to support their children to settle. They describe how the environment the childminder creates is surrounded by 'laughter, joy and love'. Parents regard the childminder as an extension of their own family. Older children talk fondly of the childminder; they say how she is always caring and helpful. n The childminder knows the children she cares for very well. She has a wealth of experience and consistently implements activities and experiences that reflect children's interests and help them to make good progress. The childminder's initial and ongoing, informal assessments of children as they play help her to find out about what they know and can do. However, she does not make the very best use of this information to precisely identify children's next steps in

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need to do better?

learning, to accurately inform her flexible planning. n The childminder is committed to developing her knowledge and skills. She belongs to a large local network of other childminders. This enables her to share and obtain ideas to consistently improve her practice. n The childminder provides some opportunities for children to explore their creative ideas. For example, children enjoy mixing paints together on a paper plate and discover how the texture of paint feels on their hands. However, at

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need to do better?

4 April 2023 times, the childminder does not enable children enough time to fully experience this, or introduce other types of media to fully explore their creativity. This limits children to entirely indulge in their own creative thinking. n The childminder gives children a lot of praise and encouragement. Throughout the day, she uses positive words to encourage their good behaviour and clear reminders of the boundaries in place. As a result, children have a secure understanding of what is expected of them, behave well and grow in confidence. Older children are incredibly respectful and positive role models for younger children. n The childminder supports children to lead a healthy lifestyle. Children plant and nurture a selection of fruit and vegetables which they taste. They benefit from healthy, nutritious snacks and meals that the childminder provides. The childminder ensures that children receive plenty of fresh air and exercise during

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need to do better?

visits to local parks and in her own garden. Children make substantial progress in their physical skills. They build on their stamina and strength as they bounce on the trampoline, and learn to assess risks from a young age, as they carefully negotiate steps. n The childminder promotes children's language development. She speaks clearly and provides good eye contact when speaking to children. Her consistent commentary to her own and children's actions helps them to make connections to words. Children enjoy joining in with some familiar words and movements to their favourite songs.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The childminder clearly understands her responsibility to safeguard children. She regularly updates her training so that she is alert to possible signs that children may be at risk of harm. The childminder knows how to record and refer any concerns about children's well-being to the relevant external agencies. She has a good knowledge of the impact of wider issues, such as domestic violence, and how to help children stay safe online. The childminder checks her home for hazards and supervises children closely. She has a clear procedure in place to ensure that children are only collected by individuals who have permission to do so.

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should:

n extend the use of the information about what children know and can do to precisely inform their unique next steps in learning n increase opportunities for children to fully explore a wide range of media to express their creative ideas.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY217435 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 10276544 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 20 July 2017

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2002 and lives in Cheshunt. She operates from 7.30am until 6pm, Monday to Thursday, all year round, except for bank holidays and family holidays.

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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 her evaluation of the setting. n The inspector observed the quality of teaching during activities indoors and in the childminder's garden and assessed the impact this has on children's learning. n The inspector completed a joint evaluation of an activity with the childminder. n The inspector held a number of discussions with the childminder at appropriate times during the inspection. She looked at relevant documentation, such as evidence of the suitability of household members. n The inspector spoke to children during the inspection. She took account of the views of parents through written feedback provided.

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Inspection activities

4 April 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.

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Inspection activities

4 April 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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