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

p.1

The provision is good

Children are safe and secure in the childminder's home. They have warm and happy relationships with the childminder and enjoy interactions with her. Children are confident learners. They enjoy exploring a range of climbing equipment to build on their core strength. For example, younger children use adjusted straps to pull themselves up, sustaining balance for a short period of time. The childminder knows the children well and incorporates their interests into the broad curriculum. She supports children to learn about their independence and understand their differences. This helps children to make choices in their play and establish positive boundaries.

p.2

The provision is good

Children love to explore the outdoors and the childminder provides plenty of opportunities for children to practise their physical skills. Children like to play games with one another and talk about rules, displaying high levels of energy and enthusiasm. The childminder provides group activities that involve sharing and taking turns. She has high expectations of children. Children display good behaviour and use manners by saying 'please' and 'thank you' at suitable times.

p.2

The provision is good

Children have a good understanding of hygiene practices and their own personal care. They know when to wash their hands and can discuss the effects of choosing healthy options. They have insightful conversations about the range of fruit they are provided and how this can make them feel when eating it. The childminder further supports children with understanding the importance of balanced choices around exercise and screen time. Children actively play both indoors and outdoors to promote their overall well-being.

p.2

need to do better?

n The childminder knows the children well and has a good awareness of child development. She is able to talk about what she wants children to learn and why. Children have choices when choosing toys and resources and the childminder has a focus on their interests. This supports children to develop their communication and language and have deep conversations about what they enjoy doing. n Generally, children are enthusiastic to learn and show levels of engagement in activities. The development of children's independence is a priority for the childminder. However, she does not always have a clear focus for activities and what skills she wants children to learn, to individually support their next steps of learning. n The childminder actively supports transitions between one setting and another. She builds effective partnerships to support children to make transitions, engaging in professional conversations about the children who attend her

p.2

need to do better?

28 April 2023 setting. This reinforces effective two-way communication and the sharing of information to enhance children's development and care. n Children explore activities to build their confidence and self-esteem as they take turns and share. They have opportunities to select different ingredients to decorate cookies and gingerbread figures. However, the childminder does not always make adaptations to activities to extend children's learning and move them on in their development. n Children show a love for outdoors and the childminder discusses the importance of this in her curriculum. Children are active and enjoy various ways to explore physical activity. For example, children like to create games using a bat and ball, and practise throwing skills to develop their arm movements. Children set rules for games and follow the boundaries they have created. n The childminder supports children's communication and language well. She is

p.2

need to do better?

responsive to children's ideas and supports them with how they can apply these in their play. For example, children discuss how they make adjustments to games they are playing, experimenting with different ways to bat a ball. The childminder uses phrases, such as 'underneath' and 'up in the air' to describe actions. n Parents speak highly of the childminder. They comment on the nurturing level of care that the childminder gives to children. Parents are happy with the regular communication they receive about their children and their progress. They describe that the childminder supports children to become independent and kind human beings. n The childminder is committed to reflecting and evaluating her own practice. She places importance on her professional development and undertakes a range of regular training to support this. The childminder makes use of networking with other childminders in her community. For example, she attends playgroups and

p.3

need to do better?

visits local parks with children. This supports children to develop their social skills and understanding of the wider world beyond the setting.

p.3

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

p.3

Safeguarding

The childminder has a good understanding of her responsibility to protect children from harm and keep them safe. She has secure knowledge of signs and symptoms of abuse and neglect, and concerns such as radicalisation. The childminder undertakes regular training to support her knowledge of safeguarding and procedures. She regularly reviews her safeguarding policies to ensure that the children's welfare is paramount in her care and shares this with parents. She is confident about procedures to follow if she has a concern about a child. The childminder provides a clean and well organised provision for children.

p.3

should:

28 April 2023 n ensure activities are precisely planned for children's learning to support their individual next steps n make the most of opportunities to adapt activities for children further, to move them on and extend their learning.

p.3

Setting details

Unique reference number 123742 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 10279878 Type of provision Childminder

p.5

Registers

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

p.5

inspection

Total number of places 6 Number of children on roll 11 Date of previous inspection 15 September 2017

p.5

Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 1992 and lives in Bishops Stortford. She operates all year round, from 7am to 6.30pm, Monday to Friday, except bank holidays and family holidays.

p.5

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 setting. n The childminder took the inspector on a learning walk and explained what she wants the children to learn. n The inspector observed activities and assessed the impact these had on children's learning. The childminder and the inspector discussed the childminder's intentions for children's learning. n Children communicated with the inspector during the inspection. n The childminder provided the inspector with key documentation, such as her paediatric first-aid certificate and the safeguarding procedures, on request. n The inspector viewed written feedback from parents and took account of their views.

p.5

Inspection activities

28 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.

p.5

Inspection activities

28 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.

p.6

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.7

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.7

Inspection activities

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

p.7

Inspection activities

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

p.7