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 Requires improvement

p.1

The provision is good

The childminder has effective settling-in procedures, which are agreed with parents and implemented to help children feel secure. Children settle quickly into the childminder's care. They seek out the childminder during their play for spontaneous cuddles and smile happily as she interacts with them. This helps to promote their personal, social and emotional development.

p.2

The provision is good

Children show confidence in their play. The childminder embraces their interests and provides opportunities for them to engage in these interests. For example, as the music plays, children instantly move their bodies as they dance to the sounds they hear. They join in confidently and are fully encouraged by the childminder as she models the actions for each song.

p.2

The provision is good

Children behave well. The childminder supports their understanding of appropriate ways to behave by being consistent in her approach. With younger children, the childminder implements a distraction method. This works well and enables children to move on quickly. The childminder shares her procedures with parents. This helps to promote consistency. Older children learn to talk about their feelings and the feelings of others. This supports them in self-regulating their behaviour and helps them develop a positive attitude to learning.

p.2

need to do better?

n The childminder has made effective changes since her last inspection. She has implemented a curriculum with a clear intent and has a good understanding of what children need to learn. The childminder knows the children in her care. She knows what they are interested in and what they need to learn next. The childminder plans daily and, although flexible, the plans for children's next steps include appropriate challenge. This helps children learn the skills they need to be ready for the next stage in their learning. n The childminder introduces new words and vocabulary to children. She narrates their play and repeats words to ensure that children hear a wide range, which helps to support their early speech. Young children babble and engage in conversation with the childminder, often using non-verbal actions. However, on occasions, the childminder introduces words that are not pronounced correctly. This does not best promote children's communication and language

p.2

need to do better?

development. n The childminder makes full use of everyday opportunities to teach children. For example, during a trip to the supermarket, children learn where products, such as milk, come from and how we pay for the items purchased. This helps children to develop an understanding about the world around them. n Partnerships with parents and other professionals are good. The childminder has

p.2

need to do better?

31 October 2023 recently implemented new procedures that help her to share information with other settings that children attend. This has enhanced communication and promoted consistency for the benefit of children, particularly with their transitions. Feedback from parents is strong. They comment on how happy their children are and what good progress they are making. n Opportunities for children to access outdoor activities on a daily basis have been enhanced. Children enjoy outings in the community or visits to local parks and soft-play centres each day. However, there are too few opportunities for children to consistently practise their early walking skills. n The childminder is reflective and she has taken appropriate action to develop her own professional development. Since her last inspection, she has undertaken a range of training and attended a number of webinars to enhance her knowledge and understanding about how children learn and she has improved her teaching.

p.2

need to do better?

The childminder evaluates her own practice and monitors the ongoing progress of children, in order to improve their outcomes. This has a positive impact on children's overall well-being, learning and development. n Children learn about good hygiene. For example, the childminder talks to children about the importance of handwashing and removing germs, particularly before mealtimes. The childminder provides children with freshly prepared meals that are balanced and nutritious. She supports children's independence at mealtimes by encouraging them to try and feed themselves.

p.3

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

p.3

Safeguarding

The childminder demonstrates a good understanding of her responsibility to safeguard children. The childminder is able to identify signs and symptoms that may indicate a child is at risk of harm, including wider safeguarding issues. She knows the referral procedures that must be followed if concerns are raised and she is aware of following these procedures in a timely manner. This helps to keep children safe.

p.3

should:

n develop consistency when modelling language to help young children to hear and use the correct pronunciation of words n enhance opportunities for young children to improve their early walking skills.

p.3

Setting details

Unique reference number 2593247 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 10265677 Type of provision Childminder

p.4

Registers

Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register Day care type Childminder

p.4

inspection

Total number of places 6 Number of children on roll 1 Date of previous inspection 2 November 2022

p.4

Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2020 and lives in Hatfield. She operates all year round, from 7am to 5.30pm, Monday to Friday, except for bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder provides funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children.

p.4

Inspection activities

n The inspector discussed any continued impact of the COVID-19 pandemic with the childminder and has taken that into account in her evaluation. n The childminder and the inspector held a learning discussion together to understand how the curriculum is organised. n The inspector interacted with children throughout the inspection. The inspector took into account parental views by reviewing written feedback. n The inspector observed the childminder's interaction with children during the inspection and reviewed this with the childminder. n A sample of documentation was examined. This included the childminder's paediatric first-aid qualification.

p.4

Inspection activities

31 October 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

31 October 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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