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

The childminder provides a homely and nurturing environment, where children feel happy, safe and secure. Children develop close relationships with the childminder, who they invite into their play. They seek her out for cuddles and comfort to meet their emotional needs. Young children relax as they listen to the childminder gently sing songs to them when they become sleepy. This demonstrates the close bond that they have with each other. Children have opportunities to learn and practise new physical skills. For example, they strengthen their arm muscles as they cut up dough with scissors.

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The provision is good

Children's behaviour is positive. They feel proud when the childminder praises them for their kindness towards each other. For example, children generously share their building blocks and suggest they 'build together', helping one another to make models of cars, towers and houses. The childminder's kind and consistent approach promotes good expectations of behaviour for children. For example, children learn to use their manners as they play. They happily say 'thank you' when they share cups of 'tea' with visitors. Children understand the routine and are happy to help, such as helping the childminder to carry the chairs into the kitchen for snack time. Children develop their confidence in new social situations, regularly visiting local parks, the library and shops with the childminder.

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need to do better?

n The childminder implements a curriculum of experiences that help to ensure children make good progress. She understands the need to break her curriculum down into smaller steps to build on what children can do and plan their next steps of development. During settling-in periods, the childminder meets with children and their parents to gather information on children's starting points, interests, likes and dislikes. This means the childminder supports children's developmental needs from the beginning. n The childminder reflects on her practice and strives to improve her knowledge through training and parental feedback. She knows what she would like to improve on. For example, she recognises the importance of training to strengthen her understanding of how to support children with special educational needs and/or disabilities who she may care for in the future. n The childminder supports children's communication development well. She

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need to do better?

regularly reads with children to help them to develop a broad vocabulary. Children learn new words, such as 'chillies', 'pumpkins' and 'Brussels sprouts', as they point to pictures in books that they show a keen interest in. The childminder introduces sign language as an additional way to support children who speak English as an additional language. n Although children enjoy being outdoors, the curriculum content is not embedded

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need to do better?

29 June 2023 securely across the provision. There is less focus on using it to guide children's learning in the outdoor area in more meaningful ways and sometimes, children's learning is less purposeful. n The childminder facilitates children's healthy lifestyles well. She ensures children have daily outdoor play and offers healthy food for mealtimes. The childminder teaches children about oral health through storybooks and reminds children to wash their hands before eating. However, she does not consistently support children to understand why hygiene routines are important. n The childminder has a good focus on supporting children's literacy and mathematical development. For instance, as children create pictures with crayons, the childminder discusses the size, shape and colour of the circles they draw. Children develop their hand and arm muscles as they use rolling pins and cutters to make shapes in play dough. This helps to strengthen their hand

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need to do better?

control to develop pre-writing skills. n Children develop independence in their personal care, which helps to prepare them for starting school. For instance, they confidently find and put on their own shoes independently before going outside. The childminder liaises well with other settings the children attend for effective information-sharing. n Parents are positive about the childminder's approach to the care of their children. They feel comfortable in leaving their children in her care and describe her as 'loving, calm, and affectionate'. Parents appreciate the effective communication methods to keep them informed about their children's day and developmental progress. As a result, parental partnerships are effective.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The childminder has a good understanding of safeguarding young children. She knows the signs of abuse and who to contact if she has a concern about a child. The childminder understands safeguarding issues such as female genital mutilation. She has the contact details in place and understands the procedures to follow in the event of an allegation being made against her or a household family member. The childminder has completed mandatory safeguarding training and maintains an appropriate first-aid qualification. She provides a safe home environment, which she monitors through daily checks. This helps to keep children safe.

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should:

n strengthen the planning for the outdoor area to provide children with the same rich experiences for learning as those inside n help children to gain a deeper understanding of the importance of good hygiene practice and how this contributes to their good health.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY489425 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 10289081 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 10 November 2017

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2015 and lives in Watford. She operates all year round from 7.30am to 5pm, Monday to Friday, except for bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder holds a relevant level 3 childcare qualification. She provides funded early education for 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 setting. n The childminder showed the inspector the areas of her home that she uses for childminding and explained her curriculum for children. n The inspector observed a range of learning experiences and had discussions with the childminder to help her evaluate the quality of education and the impact on children's learning. n Parents' views were gathered and considered by the inspector. She also spoke to children to help assess their experiences with the childminder. n The childminder provided a sample of relevant documents for the inspector to view.

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Inspection activities

29 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

29 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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