Childminder in Hertfordshire

Overall effectiveness Requires improvement

The quality of education Requires improvement Behaviour and attitudes Good Personal development Requires improvement Leadership and management Requires improvement Overall effectiveness at previous inspection Requires improvement

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The provision requires improvement

Children are happy and secure in their surroundings and can independently select resources to play with. They engage well in self-chosen play and during activities the childminder provides for them. However, potential for learning is limited for the young children who currently attend. This is because the childminder does not focus enough on the prime areas of learning. She focuses children's next steps for learning on colour, shape and numbers. These concepts are too hard for young children to achieve.

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The provision requires improvement

Despite the identified weaknesses in teaching, children have many opportunities for exploration. They enjoy playing with sand and are learning how to use tools for digging and rolling. The childminder spends time with children and talks to them as they play. Children respond well to these interactions and are beginning to repeat words back to her. At other times, children quietly engage in their chosen activity; they concentrate well and enjoy having uninterrupted play. Children move around the room with confidence. They know where to find their water bottle and have regular drinks. Children's behaviour is good.

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need to do better?

n Since the last inspection, the childminder has undertaken some professional development linked to teaching and learning. However, this has not yet had a positive impact on her practice. The childminder's understanding of how to build a suitable curriculum for young children is weak. Consequently, she does not sufficiently focus on supporting children's development using the prime areas of learning. n The childminder gains useful information from parents to find out what children can already do when they start to attend. This helps her to have a suitable understanding of where children are in their development. However, the childminder's expectation of what children need to learn next is not realistic. Therefore, they do not make good enough progress in some areas of learning. n Parents speak positively about the childminder. They say that their children settled very well and are happy to attend. Parents value the information and

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need to do better?

advice they receive. They say it enables them to know how their children are developing and how to support their learning at home. n The childminder models language well and provides opportunities for children to extend their vocabulary. Children show their developing understanding of words. For instance, they point and say 'cat' as they see a cat through the window. The childminder provides stories, songs and rhymes as part of the daily routine. n Children are encouraged to adopt healthy lifestyles. They benefit from many outings and have regular opportunities to be physically active outside in the fresh air. The childminder supports parents to understand the importance of

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need to do better?

17 July 2023 healthy eating and good sleep routines. n The childminder has good links with other childminders. This enables her to hold professional discussions with peers as she reflects on her practice. The childminders and children meet together regularly. This enables children to meet with others and develop their social skills. n The childminder regularly risk assesses her premises and communal areas of the flat's complex. She puts suitable measures in place to keep children safe. For example, she is currently not using the garden, as it is overgrown. The childminder makes use of other outdoor spaces, such as parks, for children's outdoor play and learning.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The childminder demonstrates good knowledge of child protection. She understands her responsibilities to safeguard children and protect their welfare. The childminder recognises the signs and symptoms of potential risks to children, including exposure to extremist views and behaviours. She clearly explains the procedure she would follow to report any concerns to the relevant agencies. The childminder has a clear safeguarding policy in place, which she uses to underpin her good safeguarding practice. She undertakes regular safeguarding training to keep her knowledge relevant and up to date.

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Due date

target training and professional development opportunities to strengthen knowledge and understanding of how to implement an effective curriculum, especially for the youngest children 31/08/2023

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Due date

use the assessments of what children know and can do more accurately, to help provide purposeful next steps for learning which match each child's stage of development and promote good progress. 31/08/2023

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY373093 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 10259748 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 1 Date of previous inspection 28 September 2022

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2008 and lives in Hatfield. She operates all year round, from 8am to 5pm, Monday to Friday, except for bank holidays and family holidays.

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Inspection activities

n The inspector discussed the impact of the pandemic with the childminder and has taken that into account in their evaluation of the childminder. n The inspector observed the childminder participating in activities with children and discussed the learning that was taking place with her. n The inspector discussed the needs of individual children with the childminder and talked with her about the progress they are making. n A sample of policies and procedures was looked at by the inspector. This includes documents relating to the suitability of household members, safeguarding documents and complaints. n The inspector took into account the views of parents and discussed the childminder's reflections of her practice with her. n The inspector and the childminder looked at the areas of her home that she uses with children and discussed how she plans her curriculum and operates her practice.

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Inspection activities

17 July 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

17 July 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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