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 demonstrate they feel happy and secure in the childminder's care. They move around her welcoming home with confidence, showing a strong sense of belonging. Children stay with the childminder for many years and make good progress. The childminder constantly builds on what children know and can do and they relish the new learning challenges she provides. Children enjoy sharing books with the childminder. They eagerly point to pictures and talk about what they see. Children make links in their learning, such as they look at pictures of animals and talk about recent visits to a farm.

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The provision is good

Children are very inquisitive and enjoy exploring. They make marks with chalk on the patio and carefully wash them away with water. Children talk about how the marks disappear and the water dries up in the sun. Children are learning how to do things for themselves. They know what is required of them such as to wash their hands before snack. The childminder introduces different ways for children to access drinking water. A dispenser they can use themselves has proved to be a successful way for children to have more frequent drinks of water. This helps keep children safe and healthy through the summer months. Children listen well to the childminder and their behaviour is good.

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need to do better?

n The childminder gets to know children well when they start at her setting. She finds out what experiences they have at home and finds ways to close any gaps in children's learning. The childminder plans a balanced curriculum that supports children to develop strong skills which prepare them well for future learning. n Children have many opportunities to develop their fine motor skills. These activities help them to build their muscles in preparation for early writing. They use their hands and a range of tools to dig in sand. Children are learning how to use scissors as they engage in craft activities. n The childminder helps children develop strong communication and language skills. She is aware of children who need additional support in this area of learning. The childminder talks to children as they play, using clear, simple language. She sensitively repeats words back to children, so they hear the

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need to do better?

correct pronunciation. These successful strategies give children confidence to talk and engage in effective conversations with visitors. n Parents speak positively about the childminder. They say their children are very happy to attend her setting and developing into confident, curious individuals. Parents state the childminder provides a nurturing environment for children and that they are making very good progress under her care. n Children benefit from a wide range of outdoor activities and experiences. The childminder uses her garden to provide many opportunities for children to be

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need to do better?

21 July 2023 active and explore. She talks about how she meets with other childminders and their children. This gives children opportunities to widen their friendship groups and develop strong social skills. n Children are developing good mathematical skills. They count to 10 with ease and show their developing understanding of quantity. The childminder plans activities that encourage children to sort and categorise. Children focus extremely well on the given tasks and are pleased when they succeed. n The childminder has strong links with other childminders. They meet together regularly, and this provides the childminder with opportunities to hold professional discussions with others. She undertakes statutory training, such as covering first aid and safeguarding. However, the childminder does not routinely identify and use other professional development opportunities to further extend her teaching skills and knowledge.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The childminder has strong safeguarding knowledge. She understands how to recognise signs that children may be at risk of harm or extremist behaviour. The childminder has good knowledge of the procedures to follow in the event of any concern about a child. She also knows how to report any allegations made against herself or anyone in her household. The childminder has a clear safeguarding policy in place which she shares with parents and uses to underpin her good practice. She regularly risk assesses her home, garden and outings to make sure all areas are safe for children to use.

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should:

n identify and use a wider range of professional development opportunities to further enhance teaching skills and knowledge.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY321056 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 10289298 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 4 Date of previous inspection 20 November 2017

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2006 and lives in Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire. She operates all year round from 8am to 5.30pm, Monday to Friday, except for bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder holds a 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 her and has taken that into account in her evaluation of the setting. 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. n The inspector observed the childminder joining in activities with children and discussed the learning that was taking place with her. n A sample of policies and procedures was looked at by the inspector. These included documents relating to the suitability of household members, safeguarding and complaints. n The inspector took account of the views of parents and discussed the childminder's reflections of her practice with her.

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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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