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 settle quickly in this setting. After attending for only a few weeks, they build strong attachments with the childminder. Children demonstrate they feel safe and secure in her company. They are happy, confident and enjoy their time at the childminder's home. The childminder offers a warm and welcoming environment where children are motivated and eager to learn.

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The provision is good

Children are confident to explore the playroom freely. They can make their own choices and access the toys they really enjoy. Children demonstrate a sense of belonging and ownership, which leads to secure, happy children.

p.2

The provision is good

Children are respectful of each other, and their behaviour is very good. They enjoy each other's company and play cooperatively. The younger children learn to share, following the childminder's gentle reminders. Older children demonstrate patience and understanding towards the younger children. Children comfort each other when they are unhappy and share in their joy when they play together.

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The provision is good

Children benefit from the childminder's individual planning. She knows the children well and targets her learning opportunities based on children's next steps. As a result, children make good progress. The childminder provides opportunities for children to develop their social skills. She takes them to group activity sessions, where they experience playing with larger groups of children in preparation for school.

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need to do better?

n The childminder offers an individual approach during the settling-in period. This results in children feeling safe and secure in the childminder's care. The childminder works closely with parents, offering children a consistent approach, including following home routines with sleep times. n Children make good progress. The childminder carries out observations to identify and support children's needs. She plans children's learning to get them ready for their next stage of education. For example, children of pre-school age are working on developing their independence. The childminder ensures that coat hooks are accessible and encourages children to put on their shoes. n Children build secure relationships with the childminder and feel able to express their worries and concerns. For example, when a child talked about a recent visit to the doctors, she felt able to express how it made her feel. The childminder

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need to do better?

listens and reassures children and provides clear, appropriate explanations. n The childminder ensures that children are safe and teaches them how they can help to keep themselves safe. She explains road and car safety when out on trips. This results in children who are keen to cooperate and follow instructions,

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need to do better?

16 May 2023 proud in their ability to know what to do when crossing a road. n The childminder knows the children well and identifies when a child is feeling insecure. She responds to their needs and offers support. Children are then able to return to activities with more confidence. n The childminder works in partnership with parents to obtain information about their children at home. This enables her to offer parents and children support with any concerns that they are experiencing at home. Parents appreciate that the childminder assists older children to practise their reading. Parents praise the nurturing care that the childminder offers. n Children's next steps are considered and built into the plan of the day. This offers children the opportunity to practise skills and challenge them further. Children choose from a wide variety of activities. However, on occasion, the childminder misses opportunities to extend children's learning. For example, on a

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need to do better?

bug hunt in the garden, children were directed to move away from the wasps without an explanation of why. n The childminder makes use of the local library to encourage a love of books and stories. However, she does not always ensure that books and stories are easily accessible throughout the day. n The childminder reflects on what works well and can identify areas to develop further in her practice. She links with specialist professionals to ensure that there is a consistent approach when supporting children with special educational needs and/or disabilities.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

p.3

Safeguarding

The childminder has a good knowledge of child protection issues. She can identify the signs and symptoms that may indicate a child is at risk of harm. The childminder is fully aware of her responsibility around safeguarding, including broader safeguarding issues, such as county lines. She keeps an up-to-date safeguarding file, with all relevant contact details of who to contact should she be concerned about a child's safety and welfare. The childminder attends regular safeguarding training to update her knowledge. She maintains a safe environment for children and uses appropriate safety gates and equipment to ensure that children do not have access to areas that are unsafe for them.

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should:

n identify opportunities to build on children's knowledge more consistently and encourage their curiosity to support new learning n extend the range of opportunities for children to explore books to further support them to develop a love of books and stories.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY372930 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 10280623 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 31 August 2017

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2008 and lives in Kings Langley. She operates all year round from 7.30am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, except for bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder has a relevant qualification at level 4.

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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 their evaluation of the setting. n The childminder showed the inspector around the areas of her home used for childminding and explained her intentions for children's learning. n The inspector observed the quality of education being provided, indoors and outdoors, and assessed the impact on children's learning. n The inspector observed a range of activities and interactions between the childminder and children, to help evaluate the quality of education. n The childminder provided the inspector with a sample of key documentation on request. n The inspector reviewed testimonials from parents.

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Inspection activities

16 May 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

16 May 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

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

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