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 Met

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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 are keen learners and are excited to explore the range of activities on offer. The childminder builds her curriculum around children learning needs. This results in children being constantly challenged and, consequently, they make good progress in all areas of learning. Children enjoy sharing books with the childminder. They offer their ideas of what might happen next in stories. Children have exceptionally strong speech and language skills.

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The provision is good

Children have many opportunities to be outside. They enjoy making marks with water and chalks. Children are very inquisitive and enjoy watching the water dry up in the warm sunshine. At other times, they play imaginatively in the playhouse. Children change their voices and expressions as they take on different roles in their play. Children are learning how to take care of themselves. For example, they know to wear hats when they are in the sun and talk about how sunscreen stops them from burning. Children play together very well and their behaviour is excellent.

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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 works very closely with other settings and schools children attend. This promotes continuity in children's learning and development. n Children are gaining vital skills that prepare them well for their future education. They use scissors with skill and precision as they cut out pictures. Children who are soon to move on to school, can sound out their names and write recognisable letters and numbers. n The childminder skilfully teaches children mathematics. She uses daily routines such as snack times. For example, the childminder talks about fruit which is whole and which is cut in half. Children quickly learn that a whole is one item and halves are two. n Children learn to manage their personal care needs independently. This helps

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need to do better?

them to develop their confidence and self-esteem. For example, they attend to their own toileting needs and know when they need to wash their hands. n Parents speak positively about the childminder. They say their children are very happy to attend her setting and develop a close bond with her. Parents state the childminder provides a nurturing environment for children and that they are making good progress under her care. n Children engage in meaningful activities linked to starting school. They dress cut out figures in school uniform and talk about their experiences of buying their

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need to do better?

5 September 2023 own uniforms. The childminder talks to children during these activities. She responds sensitively to children, when they express that they do not know how they feel about starting school. n The childminder has links with other childminders. This provides her with opportunities to share good practice and hold professional discussions with others. The childminder undertakes statutory training, such as covering first aid and safeguarding. However, she 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 and garden 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 149656 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 10289025 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 14 Date of previous inspection 9 November 2017

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 1981. She lives in Hitchin, Hertfordshire. The childminder operates her service all year around from 7.30am to 6.15pm, Monday to Friday, except for bank holidays and family holidays. She has a relevant early years 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 evaluations. 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 discussed the needs of individual children with the childminder and talked with her about the progress they are making. n The inspector took into account the views of parents and discussed the childminder's reflections of her practice with her.

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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

5 September 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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