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 demonstrate that they feel safe and secure in the childminder's care and have built good friendships with each other. The childminder supports their emotional well-being. For example, she provides cuddles and reassurance to the children as required. Strong attachments are evident. Children are happy. They engage well and respond to the childminder's warm interactions. Children enjoy regular opportunities to sing and dance. They join in enthusiastically and demonstrate their knowledge of the words and moves. This helps to promote children's physical development.

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The provision is good

Children's communication and language development is good. The childminder places a strong focus on encouraging children to use the words they know and to learn more. For example, she reads to children and talks to them about what they are doing. Children use words such as 'lobster' and 'starfish' as they explore sea creatures in the water and confidently tell the childminder about what they find. The childminder's environment is organised around children's interests and next steps in learning. For example, children explore trains and transport as they have recently been with the childminder on a train journey. These experiences are shared with parents. This provides opportunities for them to extend children's knowledge and deepen their learning further.

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need to do better?

n The childminder has high expectations for children's behaviour and she encourages them to share and take turns. The childminder has strategies in place to manage children's unwanted behaviour, although these are not consistently implemented. As a result, children do not fully understand how their behaviour may affect others. n Partnerships with parents are effective and communication is consistent. The childminder finds out what children's starting points are and regularly shares information with parents about children's ongoing learning. This has a positive impact on children's development because parents are able to extend what they do with their children at home. Feedback from parents is very strong. They appreciate the collaborative way the childminder works with them. n Children's personal, social and emotional development is promoted well. Their confidence and independence are well supported. The childminder encourages

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need to do better?

children to have a go for themselves. For example, in preparation for outside water play, children put on their waterproof clothing. The childminder supports children if they need her to and praises their efforts. n Children develop their mathematical skills. The childminder makes good use of opportunities for children to develop their skills in counting spontaneously. For example, during building activities, they talk about the number of squares in the

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need to do better?

8 June 2023 shapes they use. n The childminder's curriculum planning is effective. It is ambitious for all the children in her care and her quality of teaching is good. The childminder uses her own observations and assessments to identify children's next steps in learning. She ensures that children are able to explore a wide range of interesting and exciting opportunities. However, when the childminder introduces new learning, such as 'the ocean', as part of a new topic, she is not fully aware of what children already know about this. As a result, children do not always benefit from learning that is sequenced appropriately. n The childminder demonstrates a strong sense of the importance of self-reflection and evaluation. She regularly reviews what she does with the children and consistently looks at where and how she can improve. The childminder is very aware of her strengths and considers opportunities to help to extend her own

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need to do better?

professional development for the good of her setting. n The childminder encourages children's creative skills. For example, outside, the childminder provides good opportunities for children to mix and combine different materials. She then encourages children to talk about how these materials feel different. n Children eat a balanced diet. The childminder provides a range of home-cooked and nutritious meals and implements appropriate procedures, such as handwashing, before children eat. As a result, children are learning to develop their awareness of a healthy lifestyle.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The childminder knows how to keep children safe. She attends regular safeguarding training and is aware of her local community through research and discussion with other providers and childminding networks. The childminder is able to identify signs and symptoms that may indicate a child is at risk of harm, including wider safeguarding issues. The childminder knows the referral procedures she must follow if concerns are raised and she is aware of following these procedures in a timely manner. This helps to keep children safe.

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should:

n find ways to have an increased understanding of children's knowledge before introducing new topics, to ensure that new learning builds on what children already know n implement consistent strategies to help children understand behaviour expectations and recognise how their behaviour can affect others.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY491840 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 10285957 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 5 Date of previous inspection 25 October 2017

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2015 and lives in Hitchin. She operates all year round from 8am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, 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 their evaluation of the setting. n The childminder and the inspector held a learning discussion together to understand how the curriculum is organised. n The inspector spoke with children throughout the inspection. Children told the inspector what they like to do when they are in the childminder's care. n The inspector reviewed written parental feedback during the inspection and took account of their views. n The inspector reviewed a sample of the provider's documentation, including the childminder's paediatric first-aid qualification. n The inspector observed the childminder's interactions with children during two adult-led activities and reviewed these with the childminder.

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Inspection activities

8 June 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

8 June 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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