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 Not applicable

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The provision is good

Children demonstrate they feel happy and secure in the childminder's welcoming and warm environment. They move around her home with confidence, showing a strong sense of belonging. Children are inquisitive. They enjoy exploring the exciting activities the childminder provides and show high levels of engagement at tasks. The childminder has developed a varied and challenging curriculum that considers children's interests. Children learn in many ways, such as thorough activities, books and outings.

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The provision is good

Children are learning how to be independent. The childminder encourages children to have a go and praises them well. This gives children confidence to problem solve independently and develop resilience in their abilities. The childminder takes children out into the local community. She provides opportunities for them to mix with other children, such as when taking part in music groups. This helps children to develop their confidence and social skills in larger groups. The childminder models good manners and speaks respectfully to children. This results in children listening well to her and consistently displaying good behaviour.

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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 how they like to learn. The childminder has good knowledge of children's stages of development and what she intends for children to learn next. This information is shared with parents. This allows them to know what children are working towards and how they can support their learning at home. n Children have many opportunities to develop their fine motor skills. These activities help them to build their muscles in preparation for early writing. For example, they use their hands to knead and shape dough and are learning how to use tools for a purpose. n The childminder has a good understanding of the importance of communicating with the young children she currently cares for. She introduces new words, such as 'scooping', to describe what children are doing. This supports children to build

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need to do better?

broad vocabularies. Young children's communication skills are very good. n Parents speak positively about the childminder. They say their children are very happy to attend her setting and enjoy the many activities and outings she provides. Parents state the childminder provides a nurturing environment for children and that they are making very good progress under her care. n Children demonstrate that they feel safe and emotionally secure with the childminder. They happily snuggle into her while she reads a favourite story. The childminder points to the pictures and encourages children to talk about what they see. Children enjoying looking under flaps in books and delight in finding

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need to do better?

20 November 2023 pictures of animals that are familiar to them. n The childminder supports children to develop an awareness of their local community. She takes them to visit places of interest, such as the library, farm and trips on the bus. Children learn about the changing seasons and celebrate popular festivals. However, the childminder does not always consider how she can use the good information she gains about children's backgrounds. Consequently, children are not routinely encouraged to learn about their differences and understand what makes them unique. n The childminder is committed to continuous improvement of her setting. She undertakes training, reading and research to further extend her teaching skills and knowledge. The childminder networks with other childminders. This allows her to share good practice and hold professional discussions with others.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The childminder has a robust safeguarding policy in place. She has a good understanding of the local safeguarding partnership reporting procedures and completes training to keep her knowledge up to date. The childminder understands how to recognise signs that children may be at risk of harm or extremist behaviour and knows what steps to take to protect children. She also knows how to report any allegations made against herself or anyone in her household. The childminder 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 provide more opportunities for children to learn about their differences and understand what makes them unique.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 2635960 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 10295672 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 Not applicable

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2021 and lives in London Colney, Hertfordshire. She operates all year round from 8am until 6pm, Monday to Wednesday and from 12 noon to 6pm on Friday, except for bank holidays and family holidays.

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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 took into account the views of parents and discussed the childminder's reflections of her practice with her.

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Inspection activities

20 November 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

20 November 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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