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

The childminder builds positive bonds with the children who attend and responds to their needs sensitively. She supports children to become independent. For instance, she demonstrates how to use a knife to cut a banana. She then gives children verbal guidance and instructions to practise this skill, which they confidently follow. The childminder helps children to learn about the importance of hygiene. They wash their hands willingly after nappy changing and before they eat, demonstrating their understanding of the routines in place.

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The provision is good

Communication and language are strong elements of the childminder's curriculum, which is carefully planned around the individual needs of each child. The childminder adapts her interactions with individual children. She ensures that she has their attention before she speaks to them. This enables her to engage in meaningful discussions and build on children's vocabulary successfully.

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The provision is good

The childminder has developed her knowledge of different communication methods, such as sign language. She uses this consistently with all children. This particularly benefits children with special educational needs and/or disabilities. It also promotes an inclusive environment. Children use simple signs to communicate with one another, which helps all children to feel valued and included.

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need to do better?

n The childminder focuses her professional development firmly on the needs of the children who attend the setting. She is reflective about the provision on offer and always strives to develop her engagement with others. For instance, she acts as a professional mentor for other childminders and engages with local authority services to shape the local childminding provision. This not only benefits the children who attend her setting, but the wider community as a whole. n Parents are extremely happy with the care that the childminder provides. They feel informed about their children's time with her. The childminder holds sensitive discussions with parents when required and provides them with support and guidance. Parents comment that they appreciate this support and value the discussions which take place. These positive relationships benefit and promote the well-being of children. n The childminder ensures that opportunities to explore the wider community are

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need to do better?

relevant to children's experiences. For instance, she takes children to the farm, as they show an interest in animals. They build on their understanding of animals and learn how to handle them carefully. The childminder extends this further within her own home, reminding the children how to gently handle the household pet cats. This helps to broaden children's experiences and provide

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need to do better?

15 November 2023 them with new and relevant opportunities. n The childminder tracks children's progress carefully and has a strong knowledge of the different stages of learning and development each child is at. She recognises children's developing and changing needs. However, occasionally, the childminder does not use this information swiftly enough to plan and implement appropriate changes or learning opportunities. n The childminder supports children to develop a love of books and stories. Children confidently self-select books which interest them from the range on offer. They listen with interest as the childminder reads to them, keen to hear what happens next in the story. n Children receive support from the childminder to develop their physical skills. They enjoy kneading dough and pushing cutters into it to create different shapes. The childminder uses praise and encouragement throughout her interactions with the children. This helps them to focus and remain engaged in

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need to do better?

what they are doing. n Partnerships with other professionals are strong. The childminder actively engages with professionals involved in the lives of children who attend her setting. They work collaboratively to discuss strategies that can benefit the children. The childminder then shares this information with parents, so that children receive consistent support. The childminder works closely with an assistant. Their effective communication helps the assistant to understand what each child is working on and build on children's learning further.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The childminder completes a wide range of relevant safeguarding training. This helps her to ensure that her knowledge is fully up to date. The childminder recognises the possible signs of abuse and neglect and has a strong understanding of other issues which could affect children's well-being. She is aware of the process to follow should she need to raise her concerns to other professionals. The childminder and her assistant understand what to do should there be concerns about adults working directly with children or other members of the household.

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should:

n use existing knowledge of children to more swiftly plan and implement appropriate opportunities to help them maximise their learning and development.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY430863 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 10317559 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 11 Date of previous inspection 28 November 2018

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2011 and lives in Bricket Wood, St Albans. She operates from 7.30am until 6pm, Monday to Friday, all year round except for bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder works with an assistant and offers 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 their evaluation of the childminder. n The inspector and childminder discussed how the childminder organises her early years provision, including considering the curriculum on offer. n The childminder showed the inspector the areas of the premises used for childminding. n The inspector spoke to parents and read written feedback. She took their views into consideration. n The inspector observed the childminder's interactions with children. She discussed the impact of these interactions on children's learning and development with the childminder.

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Inspection activities

15 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

15 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

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