Dredge Jane

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 are happy and settled and they have positive relationships with the childminder. They have formed loving bonds with the childminder and seek cuddles from her when needed. The childminder's interactions with the children are warm and responsive. Children are happy to interact with one another and the childminder. For example, they talk about their experiences, such as starting nursery and going on holiday.

p.2

The provision is good

Children feel safe and secure. They follow familiar routines and demonstrate a positive attitude to learning. They follow their own interests and choose how to spend their time. The childminder supports the children's learning through play and facilitates this. For example, she provides water and resources for the children to wash the bicycles. The childminder values the children's individuality and interests. This helps children to develop their self-esteem.

p.2

The provision is good

Children develop their self-care skills. They select resources they need themselves, wash their own hands and learn how to dress themselves. This helps to develop their self-confidence. Children learn about the world around them through the activities that the childminder provides for them. Children grow their own fruits and vegetables. They enjoy investigating the growing tomatoes and eating the peas that they had grown. This helps children understand where food comes from and helps encourage them to lead a healthy lifestyle. The children enjoyed sharing photos of their recent sports day, an opportunity for them to take part in exercise and receive a special medal.

p.2

need to do better?

n The childminder provides a suitable learning environment where children play indoors and outdoors. The space and resources enable children to follow their interests and extend their learning. For example, children access dolls and accessories as they discuss how to take care of the 'babies', developing their language and communication skills. n The childminder places high value on literacy, ensuring children have access to a range of books. As she reads, children snuggle in, demonstrating high levels of concentration. Children confidently learn to turn the pages and point out what they can see on each page. They choose books to share with the childminder. This helps children develop their early reading skills. n The childminder's curriculum covers all areas of learning. However, at times, the childminder does not extend children's mathematical skills to the fullest extent. She does not give children opportunities to regularly count objects and items to

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need to do better?

develop their secure understanding of numbers up to five. This does not support children to make the best possible progress in their development.

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need to do better?

21 July 2023 n Children are encouraged to lead a healthy lifestyle. The childminder provides children with a selection of healthy home-cooked meals and ensures they have access to fresh fruit and vegetables. Children have daily access to fresh air and exercise. Children learn how to take care of their teeth. The childminder supports parents with this too, discussing the importance of moving from drinking out of a bottle to a cup, to support children's oral health. n The childminder works in partnership with parents and they speak very highly of her. They share, 'She goes above and beyond in every way. She is a mother figure, warm, affectionate and fun'. The parents particularly value the childminder's artistic flair. They praise the fantastic window displays she creates with the children to educate them on important topical events, such as 'no-mow May' and Pride Month. Parents share that their children love attending and

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need to do better?

praise the ethos she has created, sharing that 'She builds an inclusive environment, everyone is welcome and she teaches kindness and respect'. n Children's behaviour is very good because the childminder is consistent in her approach to managing behaviour. She uses the children's interests to try to distract them if they become upset. The childminder encourages children to use their manners and share with one another. She uses positive reinforcement to promote her setting rules and boundaries. Consequently, children behave well and are respectful. n The childminder regularly takes children out into the local community. They visit the local woods, have picnics, visit the lake, go to the local splash park and take a ride on the bus. These experiences help children to learn about their local community and to meet with larger groups of children to develop their confidence and social skills. n The childminder is nurturing and kind and recognises this as one of her own

p.3

need to do better?

strengths. However, the childminder does not thoroughly evaluate her setting's strengths and weaknesses to enable continuous improvement. She does not access training to help her to support children's learning to the highest level.

p.3

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

p.3

Safeguarding

The childminder has completed training on safeguarding. She has a clear understanding of the signs and symptoms that may indicate that children are at risk of abuse. The childminder knows the actions to take if she is concerned about a child's welfare. The childminder completes regular risk assessments for all areas of her setting, including a risk assessment to ensure that children are kept safe around her household pets.

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should:

21 July 2023 n enhance teaching to further develop children's understanding of early mathematics through their play and activities n evaluate knowledge, skills and practice and target professional development opportunities to support children's learning to the highest level.

p.3

Setting details

Unique reference number 123498 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 10289145 Type of provision Childminder

p.5

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 11 Date of previous inspection 14 November 2017

p.5

Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2000 and lives in St Albans. She operates all year round, from 7.30am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, except for bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder holds an appropriate qualification at level 3. She provides funded early education for three- and four-year-old children.

p.5

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 setting. n The childminder joined the inspector on a learning walk and talked to the inspector about the curriculum and children's learning and development. n The inspector observed the quality of education provided, indoors and outdoors, and assessed the impact that this was having on children's learning. n The inspector read written feedback from several parents during the inspection and took account of their views. n The childminder provided the inspector with a sample of key documentation on request.

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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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