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

Children thrive in the environment the childminder creates for them. From the moment children arrive they are happy, excited and ready to engage in activities. The childminder uses her knowledge of the children and child development to create activities that build on the knowledge children already have. Children engage in activities for long periods of time and are excited by what they are learning. For example, children develop their fine motor skills using coloured tweezers and pegs. They delight as they play with the interactive colour-matching activity, matching items of the same colour.

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The provision is good

Children develop a love of books. They have free access to them throughout the day and enjoy choosing them independently. Children share books with the childminder and their friends, or look at them by themselves. The childminder re- reads children's favourite stories. This enables to them to develop individual storytelling skills as they learn the story. The childminder links books to activities, which enhance children's knowledge even further.

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The provision is good

Children have strong attachments to the childminder. They greet her warmly as they arrive. This demonstrates their enjoyment of her company. The childminder informs children of visitors to the setting. This helps them to feel safe and at ease, while seeking comfort from her.

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need to do better?

n The childminder successfully gathers information about children's starting points from parents. She uses this knowledge to understand the skills children already have. All children make good progress in their learning and development. There are, however, limited opportunities for children to extend their technological awareness to enhance their knowledge even further. n The childminder provides a language-rich environment. She exposes children to a wide range of opportunities to extend and develop their communication skills. The childminder narrates the day for younger children. She explains what they are doing, adding new words to extend their vocabulary further. For example, when talking about caterpillars, the childminder talks about the cocoon they create. n From a young age, the childminder teaches children the importance of personal hygiene. Children know to wash their hands before snack and after nappy

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need to do better?

changes. The childminder encourages children to be independent. At snack times, children use safety knives to cut their bananas ready to eat. The childminder acts as a role model for younger children, using hand-over-hand support. Children delight as they prepare their own snacks, showing the childminder what they have cut.

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need to do better?

21 July 2023 n The childminder's curriculum focuses on developing children's confidence in different settings. She attends local playgroups to support children with their social development. Parents talk of the improvement in their children's confidence following these experiences. n Children access a wide range of experiences to bring their learning and development to life. Children enjoy trips on the bus to the local shops to buy snack items. They grow tomatoes in the garden, taking time to water them and watching them as they grow and change colour. n Trips to the local park and woodland area help to extend children's physical development. They enjoy climbing on tree stumps and creating obstacles around the local parks. At the childminder's home, children use tweezers, scoops and pegs to develop their finger muscles. Children enjoy the freedom of choice available to support their physical development.

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need to do better?

n Parent partnerships are a real strength of the childminder's setting. Daily online communication provides parents with up-to-date knowledge of what their children have been learning and experiencing throughout the day. Parents talk of the relationships their children form with the childminder, and the positive impact this has on their learning and development. They highly recommend the childminder. n The childminder understands the importance of ensuring that her knowledge and practice remains up to date. She prioritises training and quickly embeds this into her setting. The childminder reflects on the activities and experiences she provides for children. She makes changes and adaptions to activities as they are completed. Children's learning and development is at the heart of all she does.

p.3

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

p.3

Safeguarding

The childminder is knowledgeable of the signs and symptoms of abuse. She understands the importance of monitoring and reflecting on situations to ensure that children are safe from harm. The childminder is transparent with parents and successfully uses professionals' advice for support and guidance as required. The childminder is aware of local issues, such as county lines, and understands how to recognise signs that may need to be reported. A robust safeguarding policy and regular training underpins the childminder's practice.

p.3

should:

n strengthen opportunities for children to engage with technology, and embed age-appropriate technology into the curriculum to enhance their knowledge even further.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY487870 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 10280140 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 4 Number of children on roll 4 Date of previous inspection 10 August 2017

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2015. She operates all year round, from 8am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, except bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder provides funded early years education for two-, three- and four-year-old children.

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Inspection activities

n This was the first routine inspection the childminder has received since the COVID-19 pandemic began. The inspector discussed the impact of the pandemic with her and has taken that into account in the evaluations of the provision. n The childminder and the inspector completed a learning walk together of all the areas of the setting. They discussed their curriculum and what they want children to learn. n The inspector observed the quality of education being provided, indoors and outdoors, and assessed the impact this was having on children's learning. n The inspector took account of the reviews from parents during the inspection. n The inspector looked at relevant documentation and reviewed evidence of the suitability of the childminder.

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Inspection activities

21 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

21 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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