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 are confident and relaxed in this childminder's welcoming home. She ensures that she gets to know every child and their family well as she builds warm relationships with them. This helps the childminder to organise a curriculum based on children's interests and supports their good progress. Children learn to do things for themselves. For example, they tidy away their toys and wash their own hands before mealtimes. The childminder teaches children the importance of healthy and active lifestyles from an early age. Outdoors, in the garden, children have fun climbing the playhouse and playing with bubble wands and water table toys. Outside of the setting, they visit local playgroups, parks and nearby farms with the childminder. This helps children to develop their social skills and understanding of the world around them.

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The provision is good

Children benefit greatly from regular yoga and meditation sessions that help to relax and calm their minds. The childminder has clear boundaries about good behaviour. She reminds children to use their manners and to be kind to one another as they play together. Children are developing lovely friendships with each other. For example, they share handbags and 'treasure' between them and discuss being 'best friends'. They feel safe and secure as they share information about their personal lives and their thoughts with the childminder. The childminder maintains eye contact and gives them time and space to finish what they are saying. Children feel listened to and valued as a result.

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need to do better?

n The childminder gathers information from parents during settling-in sessions to understand children's starting points. She completes initial assessments and observations to establish what children already know and can do and then tracks this as they progress at the setting. The childminder considers each child's age and ability as she plans activities, and she creates her own lesson plans with enjoyable and interesting themes that further children's progress. n Generally, the childminder supports children's communication and language skills well. For example, they learn new words, such as 'submarine', as they play, and they openly talk to her about what is upsetting them as they cuddle with her. However, the childminder does not fully encourage and extend discussions during everyday interactions and activities to improve children's learning and understanding. For example, she does not tell children why they should not

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need to do better?

touch hot drinks and she sometimes asks questions which only promote one- word answers during activities. n Parents speak highly of the childminder. They appreciate her reliability, experience and genuine affection for their children. Parents comment on the wide range of activities that she provides and the support she offers to them

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need to do better?

21 July 2023 during times of change at home and school. The childminder communicates daily to keep parents updated on their children's activities and development. She creates resource packs to send home to extend their learning further. n Partnerships with other settings are good. The childminder has regular conversations about children's achievements and needs with staff at local schools and nurseries. She completes transition reports and provides copies of learning journals to relevant professionals when the children move on to ensure important information is shared. n Children learn about nature and the wider world. They participate in exciting activities that allow them to observe and learn about living creatures and plants. For example, they learn about the life cycle of chicks and caterpillars as they watch their birth and help to look after and feed them. They grow strawberries and sunflowers in the garden from seeds.

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need to do better?

n The childminder reflects on her practice and continually improves the setting to provide children with new and interesting resources and activities. The childminder keeps her professional development and training up to date, such as special educational needs training, to further support and improve outcomes for children. The childminder regularly shares information, knowledge and training ideas with her assistant within supervision meetings, and with other professionals. n Children learn about a healthy diet and what fuels their bodies as they are offered nutritious home-cooked meals and snacks. The childminder encourages children to drink plenty of water for hydration and to eat healthy snacks. They learn to peel their own oranges and drink from open cups.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The childminder fully understands her role and responsibilities in keeping children safe from harm. She knows what to do and who to contact if she has concerns about a child's safety or welfare, or in the event of an allegation being made against herself. The childminder has good knowledge of all aspects of safeguarding, including radicalisation and female genital mutilation. She demonstrates an understanding of all legal requirements, such as her duty to inform Ofsted of any significant events. The childminder and her assistant update their safeguarding training regularly. She teaches children about road safety and the potential danger of talking to strangers.

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should:

n enhance interactions with children to enable meaningful discussions that deepen their engagement in play and extend their learning.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY369815 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 10285576 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 12 Number of children on roll 26 Date of previous inspection 11 October 2017

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2008 and lives in Welwyn Garden City. She operates all year round, from 7am until 6.30pm, Monday to Friday, except for bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder holds an appropriate qualification at level 3 and works with an assistant. The childminder provides funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children.

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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 the childminder and has taken that into account in her evaluation of the childminder. n Parents shared their views of the childminder's setting with the inspector through written feedback. n The inspector made observations throughout the inspection of children's experiences in the setting. n The childminder shared a sample of documents with the inspector. This included evidence of training and the suitability of assistants and household members. n The inspector interacted with the children at appropriate times during the inspection and observed their interactions with the childminder. n The childminder and the inspector completed a learning discussion together to understand how the early years provision and curriculum are organised. n The inspector viewed the areas of the premises that are used for childminding.

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Inspection activities

n The childminder and the inspector carried out a joint observation.

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Inspection activities

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

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/ofsted

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