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 well settled and confident in the childminder's home. Children smile and greet visitors as they enter the house, taking their favourite toys to show them. The childminder has built good relationships with the children, and they happily chat to her throughout the day. Children are busy as they explore the activities and resources that are provided for them. For example, they delight as they explore the sponges and water. Children behave well. The childminder gives clear communication about what the expectations for behaviour are in the setting. She gives clear reminders when necessary and explains why the behaviour is important. This helps children to develop their understanding.

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The provision is good

Children develop their independence through the support given by the childminder. She provides children with knives and describes how to press down to cut their fruit. Children chop their own fruit and feed themselves. They find their sun hat and put it on independently. This helps to boost children's self-confidence. The childminder values the children's voice and gives them opportunities to make choices across the day. For example, children select different fruits to have for their lunch and choose which activities they would like to participate in. The childminder listens to their views. For example, when children ask to play hopscotch, she provides them with chalk, so they can draw outside.

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need to do better?

n The childminder supports children's language fluency well. She introduces new words to children. She clearly models back words to children to highlight the correct pronunciation. The childminder sings songs and nursery rhymes with them. The childminder narrates the day to children. She talks about what they are doing and what is going to happen next and asks the children questions. n Children are physically active. They push themselves along on ride-on toys, developing the strength in their legs. Children climb up the steps on the slide and then slide down. The childminder provides chunky chalk for the children to use. They grasp the chalk and make marks, developing their fine motor skills. n The childminder provides opportunities for children to explore their local environment. They regularly go for walks and visit the local park. The childminder organises meetings with other childminders to give children

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need to do better?

opportunities to socialise in a wider group. The childminder takes children to toddler groups, messy play and craft sessions at the local church. This gives children access to further resources and activities. n Partnerships with parents are strong. Parents praise the childminder's warm approach and the healthy lunches. They state their children enjoy attending the setting and like to talk about all the wonderful things they have done during their day. The childminder has also built a relationship with the local pre-school

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need to do better?

15 June 2023 to support those children receiving shared care. n The childminder teaches children to understand how to care for living things and the importance of healthy eating. Children grow their own fruit such as strawberries and raspberries. They use watering cans to water their plants and talk about how the fruit will change colour when they are ready to eat. n Children develop good hygiene practices as they learn to wash their hands before eating. The childminder ensures that meals and snacks adhere to healthy eating guidelines. The childminder talks about healthy and unhealthy foods with the children to develop their knowledge. n The childminder is conscientious and keeps careful supervision of children at all times. She teaches children about risks and helps them learn how to keep safe. For example, young children learn to walk down steps in the garden. The childminder has given careful thought to the risks her dog could pose and

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need to do better?

ensures that she gives children some time away from the family pet. n The childminder has designed a curriculum relevant for the age range of children who attend. She can talk about the areas of the curriculum that are the most important for this age group. At times, children show high levels of engagement and complete activities with concentration. For example, children carefully select farm stickers to add to their picture and use pencils to make marks. However, this is not consistent and during some activities, such as story time, children lose interest quickly.

p.3

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

p.3

Safeguarding

The childminder has a good knowledge of the signs and symptoms of abuse. She has attended training that has supported her in developing her knowledge of safeguarding issues. The childminder is confident to make appropriate referrals to relevant agencies to support families and their children. The childminder undertakes daily risk assessments to ensure that all areas inside and outside are safe for children to use. She teaches children about how to keep themselves safe, for example, by staying close to the childminder as they get out of the car.

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should:

n develop ways to help maintain children's high level of engagement in all activities.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 2630616 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 10285703 Type of provision Childminder

p.4

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 Not applicable

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder was registered in 2021 and lives in Stevenage. She operates all year round, from 8.30am to 5.30pm, Monday to Thursday, except for bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder holds an early years qualification at level 3. She provides funded early education for two- and three-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 setting. n The childminder and the inspector completed a joint observation and discussed the impact on 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 read feedback from parents during the inspection and took account of their views. n The childminder provided the inspector with a sample of key documentation on request.

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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

15 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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