Smith, Charlotte Helen

Overall effectiveness Good

The quality of education Good Behaviour and attitudes Good Personal development Good Leadership and management Good Overall effectiveness at previous inspection Met

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The provision is good

Children are well settled and relaxed in the childminder's care. Young children develop good bonds with this attentive childminder. They lean into her and smile at her as they play games together. They develop their speech and language skills as they enjoy listening to and singing familiar nursery rhymes. They complete the actions with the support of the childminder and talk about the shapes that they are making with their hands as they raise them into the air to make diamond shapes. The childminder is excellent at modelling language and introducing new words when she speaks to the children. They learn words, such as 'crunchy' and 'juicy', as they talk about the fruit and vegetables they are going to feed to the pet guinea pigs or eat themselves as a snack. Children make rapid progress with their communication and language development.

p.2

The provision is good

Children are confident as they choose what they want to play with from a range of age-appropriate resources and toys. They enjoy playing with tactile substances, such as dough, when they explore textures and practise making marks. They enjoy playing with cars as they pull them back and watch them speed off. Children excitedly create tunnels with their legs for the childminder to send the cars through. Children behave well as they engage in focused play for extended periods of time.

p.2

need to do better?

n The childminder's curriculum is based on children's interests and what they need to learn next. She collects information from parents about what the children enjoy doing at home and then tries to incorporate some of this information into her setting's activities. The childminder completes observations to ensure she understands the children's current stage of development, and she ensures that the setting is thoughtfully organised with age-appropriate resources for the children's learning. n Children are learning about independence and healthy lifestyles. They choose their own snack from a variety of healthy options and tidy away their toys. Older children wash and dry their own hands, help to lay the table and pour their own drinks. The youngest children feed themselves independently and begin to understand how to keep themselves safe from an early age. As a result, children quickly develop confidence in their own abilities.

p.2

need to do better?

n The childminder promotes children's physical and social development by providing opportunities to visit and explore local woodland trails, farms, parks and museums. The children attend small soft-play centres and play outside in the garden on the climbing apparatus and trampoline. Children also often help the childminder to look after her pets inside and outside of the setting. As a result of these activities, children are developing their gross motor skills and an

p.2

need to do better?

19 April 2023 understanding of the wider world and their local community. n Children behave well and are confident in their interactions with others. The childminder encourages turn-taking and being kind to each other. She speaks to the children about kind behaviour and manages minor disagreements by calmly talking it through with them. Younger children are reminded about sharing and are encouraged to consider the feelings of others. Children are polite from a young age. They say 'help please' when they are unable to do something themselves. Children's emotional well-being is especially strong as a result. n The childminder has a good relationship and collaborative approach to working with parents. She has well-planned settling-in procedures that include children's starting points and their family's individual needs. Parents are happy with the activities that the childminder provides, commenting that they are both

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need to do better?

educational and fun. Parents trust the childminder and refer to the safe and caring environment that she provides. Parents feel their children are making good progress with their development and value the childminder's ability to nurture their children's interests. n The childminder ensures that she attends training such as safeguarding and paediatric first-aid. However, she has not consistently built on her professional development and knowledge over time to help raise her good-quality teaching to a higher level.

p.3

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

p.3

Safeguarding

The childminder has a thorough understanding of her responsibilities to keep children safe from harm. She has an excellent understanding of the signs and symptoms of abuse. She is fully aware of safeguarding and child protection issues, including female genital mutilation. The childminder knows what processes to follow if she has a concern about the welfare of a child or if an allegation is made about herself. She closely supervises children and teaches them how to keep themselves safe. For example, they learn how to walk up and down steps safely and how to cross roads when on outings.

p.3

should:

n identify training and development needs to raise professional knowledge and quality of teaching to an even higher level.

p.3

Setting details

Unique reference number EY372141 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 10280655 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 6 Number of children on roll 11 Date of previous inspection 14 September 2017

p.4

Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2008 and lives in St Albans. She operates all year round from 7.30am to 6.30pm, Monday to Friday, except for bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder holds a relevant childcare 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 childminder and has taken that into account in their evaluation of the childminder. n The childminder and the inspector completed a learning discussion 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 included

p.5

Inspection activities

evidence of training and the suitability of household members.

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.

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Inspection activities

19 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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