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 GoodGood

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The provision is good

Children develop bonds with the childminder. They turn to her for cuddles and reassurance when needed. They are familiar with the routines in place, and they complete tasks independently. For instance, they take their shoes off without prompting as they arrive and quickly settle down to play. Older children use knives at lunchtime to spread toppings onto crackers. The childminder provides them with motivation through praise and encouragement. This helps to develop children's confidence in completing tasks for themselves.

p.2

The provision is good

The childminder supports children to form friendships with one another. The oldest children work together, helping one another find the pieces for the jigsaw puzzles they complete. Younger children learn about their own feelings and the feelings of others through sensitive discussions with the childminder. For example, she explains to children how their friends are feeling and that this may be different to how they feel.

p.2

The provision is good

Children build their vocabulary from a young age in the childminder's care. The childminder introduces relevant language to children as they read stories together. For instance, she speaks about the different textures that the youngest children can feel on the pages. The children then repeat these words back to the childminder, which helps them to remember this new language and use it again in the future.

p.2

need to do better?

n The childminder knows the children who attend well. She gathers a range of information from parents before children start, which helps her to meet children's needs effectively. Parents are happy with the care the childminder provides. They receive regular updates about their children's progress. This helps them to build on their children's learning further at home. n Children gain a good understanding about the structure of stories. They learn to handle books with care. For example, toddlers attempt to put books back on the shelf carefully when they finish with them. Older children become confident in joining in with repeated phrases in familiar stories. The oldest children are able to retell stories to the other children. As a result, all children become effective communicators. n Children engage well with the resources on offer. They are happy to explore on their own, knowing that the childminder is close by for support. However,

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need to do better?

occasionally, children are not able to follow their own interests and lead their own learning as the childminder does not support this effectively. For instance, she hands out various tools for children to use with play dough, instead of allowing children to select for themselves so that they can extend their own

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need to do better?

18 July 2023 learning and ideas freely. n Overall, the childminder's interactions with children are strong, and children make good progress. However, occasionally, the childminder's interactions are not as purposeful, and her knowledge of how young children learn is not as strong as possible because of a lack of highly focused professional development. n Children use their imaginations as they play. Older children pretend to make meals for visiting adults using play dough. They confidently answer questions and talk about what they are doing, before pretending to cook the 'food' they have made. They use the small muscles in their hands to model and shape the play dough. This helps to prepare them for successfully holding tools to write when they move on to school. n The childminder plans outings that provide multiple learning opportunities for children of all ages. She takes children to a local farm where they can build their

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need to do better?

communication skills, talking about animals they see. They also have opportunities to strengthen their large muscles as they play on the climbing equipment. n The childminder recognises the importance of working in partnership with other professionals. She has links with other local childminders, and they meet up to discuss practice and share ideas. Children also benefit from these professional relationships. For instance, when the childminders meet up, children have the opportunity to socialise with a wider group of children and build their confidence in social situations.

p.3

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

p.3

Safeguarding

The childminder has recently completed a relevant safeguarding course, which has helped her to update her understanding of the appropriate local safeguarding partnership procedures. She recognises the correct process to follow should she need to raise concerns about children to other agencies so that this can be done in a timely manner. The childminder has appropriate written safeguarding policies in place, and she follows these when required. She knows what to do should someone make an allegation against herself or a household member. The childminder recognises the possible signs of abuse and neglect. She completes appropriate risk assessments to ensure that children remain safe in her care.

p.3

should:

n provide consistent opportunities for children to follow their own interests and lead their learning more independently n strengthen interactions with children to a consistently high level through building on professional knowledge of how young children learn.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY551435 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 10303382 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 18 May 202118 May 2021

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in September 2017 and lives in Welwyn Garden City, Hertfordshire. She operates all year round, from 8am to 6pm, Monday to Wednesday, except for bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder holds a relevant qualification. She provides funded early education for three-year-old children.

p.4

Inspection activities

n The inspector discussed any continued impact of the COVID-19 pandemic with the childminder and has taken that into account in their evaluation of the childminder. n The childminder showed the inspector the premises, and they discussed how she ensures the premises are safe and suitable. n The childminder spoke to the inspector about children's learning and development and how she plans the curriculum on offer. n The inspector observed the childminder interacting with children and considered the impact of these interactions on children's learning and development. n Parents spoke to the inspector at appropriate times during the inspection, and the inspector took account of their views. n The inspector viewed documentation, including the childminder's safeguarding policy and suitability documents.

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Inspection activities

18 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

18 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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