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 Not applicable

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The provision is good

Children are clearly very happy in this supportive and nurturing setting. They benefit from positive relationships with the childminder and have built great bonds with each other. Children behave well as they share toys and show a lovely kindness to one another. They ask the childminder for cuddles and show great pleasure when playing with her. Children explore and enjoy the wide range of learning opportunities available to them each day. For example, pre-school children develop their vocabularies as they enjoy identifying words from flashcards and fishing in water for the matching magnetic letters. Younger children develop their imaginations as they enjoy making coloured foam ice creams and playing peekaboo.

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The provision is good

The childminder plans children's next steps in learning through observations and discussions with parents about their starting points. She is clear about what she wants children to learn from the activities that she plans. As a result, children are motivated in their play, and they make rapid progress. Children take great delight in listening to the childminder spontaneously sing songs to them at different points during their day. They beam and clap as they join in with the actions and sing the familiar words along with her. They receive plenty of praise and encouragement, which helps to promote their confidence and self-esteem effectively.

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need to do better?

n Children listen to stories and look at books with interest. They turn the pages and point at the exciting things they can see. The childminder frequently models language as she continuously talks to the children throughout their play. However, the childminder does not always model the correct words to support younger children with their growing vocabularies. n The childminder recognises the importance of introducing children to different cultures. Children celebrate festivals and national holidays through a range of activities and crafts. For example, children learn about Easter as they make bonnets and learn dances by watching fun videos together. They read books about everyone's similarities and differences, and they play with a range of multicultural resources. n Children enjoy a range of healthy snacks and meals. They learn the importance of good health and hygiene through everyday activities and conversations. For

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need to do better?

example, the children learn to wash germs away from their hands before mealtimes, and they discuss good oral hygiene. The childminder promotes discussion about what a healthy diet looks like as they eat their food. However, the childminder does not consistently give children opportunities to express their understanding of what they know. At times, in her eagerness to engage with the children, she can answer questions for them instead.

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need to do better?

16 May 2023 n Independence is encouraged from an early age. For example, young children feed themselves tricky foods, such as yoghurt and cereal, with a spoon, and they learn to manage risk as they climb small steps on a toddler slide without physical support. Pre-school children clear away their own rubbish and put on their own shoes. This helps to support children's confidence in their own abilities. n Children enjoy plenty of opportunities to go out in the local community. They regularly visit local parks and rose gardens. Children often go to local toddler groups and small soft-play centres, where they learn to interact with other children. This helps them to develop their confidence and social communication skills well. n Children are developing their physical skills. Pre-school children strengthen their hand muscles by using scissors to cut out pictures of fruit from magazines, and they use a pen to practise writing their own name. The garden is set out to

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need to do better?

encourage further physical play. Ride-on toys, toddler slides, and sensory tables are available for children to freely play with. n Parents are delighted with the care their children receive. They comment that they are incredibly happy, safe and well cared for. They refer to the childminder's caring nature and her real interest in each child. Parents note the excellent progress their children are making and the wonderful variety of meaningful activities that they experience. The childminder is supportive regarding transitions to further educational settings and is thoughtful about her daily communication and feedback to parents. The childminder is proactive in keeping her knowledge and skills up to date, as she regularly researches information online and finds new training ideas.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The childminder has a good understanding of her duty to protect children. She ensures that her knowledge is up to date, and she is confident in following procedures if she has any concerns about a child's welfare. The childminder understands all areas of safeguarding, including concerns such as female genital mutilation. The childminder completes regular risk assessments and ensures that children remain safe and secure in her home. She helps teach even the youngest children how to keep themselves safe when near roads. The childminder is clear about the recording of accidents and incidents, including pre-existing injuries and notifications to Ofsted.

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should:

n provide further support for children's language development, consistently

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should:

16 May 2023 modelling the correct words and allowing them enough time to construct their own thoughts and responses during discussions.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 2612190 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 10281000 Type of provision Childminder

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Registers

Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register Day care type Childminder

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inspection

Total number of places 6 Number of children on roll 5 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2021 and lives in Watford. She operates term time only, from 7.30am to 5.30pm, Monday to Wednesday, except for bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder holds a relevant level 3 qualification and provides funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children.

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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 provider. 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

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Inspection activities

evidence of training and the suitability of household members.

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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

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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