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 Outstanding

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The provision is good

The childminder's home is a nurturing and caring environment, where children settle and feel safe. She has a warm and trusting relationship with the children. As children arrive, the childminder greets them with a big smile and asks how they are. Children snuggle up to her and invite her into their play. The childminder plans a curriculum that is well sequenced and tailored to meet the needs of all children. Children freely choose from the resources available to them, which supports their independence effectively. They revel in delight as they play together in the water tray. Children pour water down the guttering and watch in awe as the toy spider floats down. Children spontaneously say, 'It's Incy Wincey Spider'. They begin to chant the nursery rhyme and imitate the actions. Children are becoming engaged learners.

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The provision is good

The childminder consistently praises children for their achievements, which boosts their self-esteem. Children beam with excitement as they write and name numbers, saying, 'Look, number four'. The childminder has high expectations for children's behaviour and has a clear and consistent approach. She models good manners and teaches children to say 'please' and 'thank you'. Older children show kindness. They support younger children in their play and help them find the missing piece of the puzzle.

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need to do better?

n The childminder has a clear intent for children's learning. She supports children to secure new skills that build on what they already know and can do. She uses ongoing observations to monitor children's progress and plan their next steps. Children benefit from a wide range of activities, including puzzles, a builder's workbench and farm animals. They become engrossed in the water activity. Children use pipettes and syringes to squirt water. Younger children laugh and giggle as they splash the water using their hands. Children have a 'can-do' attitude' to learning. They are making good progress from their starting points. n The childminder establishes good hygiene routines in her setting. She encourages independence so that children can manage their self-care skills. Children routinely wash their hands before eating. They know to rub them all over with soap, rinse with water and dry. Children tell adults, 'You need to wash

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need to do better?

your hands before snack, and use soap.' n The childminder is passionate about promoting a love of books and a fondness for reading. She recognises that reading with children helps to build on their language and communication skills. The childminder provides a wide range of books that are at the heart of children's learning and play. Younger children interact and enjoy looking at lift-the-flap and textured books. Older children independently choose to look at books and show delight as they share stories

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need to do better?

20 November 2023 with the childminder and their friends. n The childminder gives a high priority to supporting children's communication and language skills. She models language for children, who are confident talkers. However, at times, the childminder does not always give children enough time to think and respond to questions asked. This limits children's opportunities to think and share their thoughts and ideas. n The childminder weaves mathematics through activities for all age groups of children. Younger children enjoy number rhymes and use their fingers to help them count as they sing. Older children confidently sequence numbers. They tell the childminder that number six comes before number seven. Children learn about simple fractions, such as half and quarter, as they cut up their fruit. n The childminder plans trips for children every week. She considers trips in the community to be an important source of learning for children. Children

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need to do better?

frequently visit the café, and they go shopping to buy fruit for snack at the local farm shop. They meet with other adults and children at play sessions and visit the farm and forest. Children take recycling goods to the local recycling banks. These opportunities help children to gain confidence in unfamiliar social situations. n Parents speak very highly of the childminder and the care and education she provides. They are highly complimentary of the excellent ongoing communications they receive. Parents comment on the progress their children are making as a result of what the childminder teaches them. They comment that the childminder offers a caring and nurturing environment, where their children thrive.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The childminder keeps her safeguarding knowledge up to date. She can identify the signs and symptoms of abuse and neglect and understands when children are especially vulnerable. The childminder has a clear knowledge of the referral procedures to follow should she suspect that a child is being abused or neglected. She is aware of the procedures to follow if an allegation is made against herself or a household member. The childminder uses the results of risk assessments effectively to maintain a safe home and to keep children safe on outings. Children are well supervised.

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should:

n give children time to process their thoughts to enable them to respond to questions and express their ideas.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY496338 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 10301019 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 6 Date of previous inspection 16 January 2018

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2015 and lives in Letchworth Garden City. She operates all year round, 7.30am to 5pm, Monday to Thursday, except for bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder holds a childcare qualification at level 6. 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 this into account in her evaluation of the setting. n The childminder showed the inspector around the areas of her home used for childminding and explained how she organises the environment and the curriculum for children. n The inspector spoke to parents and sampled written feedback to gather parents' views. n The inspector observed a range of activities and interactions between the childminder with children, to help to evaluate the quality of education. n The inspector held a discussion with the childminder in relation to the leadership and management of the setting. She looked at relevant documentation, such as evidence of the childminder's suitability to work with children. n Discussions were held between the childminder and the inspector to help

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Inspection activities

establish her understanding of how to safeguard the children in her care. n Children spoke to the inspector during the inspection.

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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

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

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