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 children thoroughly enjoy playing and exploring in the childminder's extremely well-resourced home and garden. They are excited and show great interest in the wide variety of learning opportunities on offer. Young children have plenty of fun as they explore movement. They step onto and balance on a scooter but it does not move. Children show persistence as they work out how to sit on the scooter and use their legs to propel it forwards, much to their pleasure. Older children enjoy using their imagination. They show great concentration as they draw on their physical and coordination skills to successfully manoeuvre and park a sit-and-ride car alongside others. All children make good progress in their learning.

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The provision is good

The childminder successfully shares her expectations to help children understand the setting's rules in an age-appropriate way. She skilfully draws on children's interests as part of planning. For example, children are very keen to search for a colourful array of pretend bugs hidden in the garden. The childminder encourages children to think of others, which prompts them to find a basket for each of their friends to fill. Children run around, showing their utter delight as they discover bugs in the sand tray and on top of toys. The childminder is quick to give reassurance to younger children, showing them that the bugs are not real.

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need to do better?

n The childminder works hard to build very close bonds with children. She offers settling-in sessions that are tailored to meet their individual needs. This helps children to settle very quickly. n Children are very confident and show that they feel extremely secure in the care of the childminder. At times, they are keen to invite her to join their play. Children show great pride as they receive positive comments from the childminder about their achievements such as scooping sand or sticking magnets onto a board. n The childminder provides parents with information about their children's care and achievements through text messages and informal discussions at collection and drop off times. However, she does not routinely share information about children's development to help parents to further support and extend children's learning at home n Children's emotional well-being is supported very well. The childminder is

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need to do better?

attentive towards all children. Before changing them, she spends time sensitively explaining to the children that she would like to change their nappy. The childminder uses a nappy-changing area that protects the privacy and dignity of children. n Children play in a warm and welcoming environment that encourages learning. The childminder monitors their progress effectively. She carries out ongoing

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need to do better?

6 June 2023 observations of what children can do. The childminder uses this knowledge to plan challenging activities that support children's next steps in learning in preparation for school effectively. n Children have opportunities to develop their social skills. For example, they play with and alongside their peers and visit a local farm. These opportunities provide children with the chance to develop personal skills and confidence. n The childminder sets high expectations, which has helped her succeed in improving aspects of her provision. For example, she has developed information gathering regarding children's starting points. This helps her to accurately plan for their individual learning needs from the start. However, the childminder does not always carefully consider the learning needs of individual children when she plans adult-led activities. As a result, some activities provided for younger

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need to do better?

children are pitched at a level that is too high to enable them to fully take part and sustain their interest. n The childminder has completed a wide range of training since her last inspection that includes food hygiene and 'Early Talk Matters'.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The childminder undertakes regular safeguarding training. She is able to confidently identify the signs and symptoms of abuse. The childminder shows a clear understanding of her role and responsibilities to protect the welfare of children. She knows how to record and report any concerns she may have about a child's welfare. The childminder completes ongoing risk assessments of her home and outings in the local community. This helps to ensure that the environment and activities she provides are safe and suitable for all children.

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should:

n strengthen opportunities for sharing information about children's development to help parents to support and extend their children's learning at home n improve the planning of adult-led activities to provide more opportunities for younger children to participate and sustain their interest.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY492246 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 10288959 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 7 November 2017

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2015. She lives in Stevenage. The childminder operates her service from 7.30am to 5.30pm, Monday to Thursday, term time only. The childminder holds a relevant childcare qualification at level 3.

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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 walk of the childminder's home. n The inspector carried out a joint observation of an activity with the childminder, and they evaluated this together. n Children spoke to the inspector about what they were doing during the inspection. n The inspector reviewed relevant documentation, including the suitability checks of all adults living and working in the household. n The childminder spoke with the inspector at appropriate times during the inspection.

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Inspection activities

6 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

6 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

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