Childminder in Hertfordshire

Overall effectiveness Outstanding

The quality of education Outstanding Behaviour and attitudes Outstanding Personal development Outstanding Leadership and management Outstanding Overall effectiveness at previous inspection Good

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The provision is outstanding

The childminder creates a wonderfully warm, calm and positive environment for children from the minute they arrive. As a result, children cannot wait to get their shoes and coats off to begin their interactions and day with her.

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The provision is outstanding

The childminder develops an ambitious curriculum that gives children the life skills needed to secure a strong foundation in their early years. This gives them the very best start as they prepare for the next stage in their learning, such as school. Children display very high levels of engagement in their learning, independence and excellent communication and language skills. They are eager to respond to the childminder as she uses every opportunity to recall children's previous learning and extend their knowledge and skills. For example, they remember what the words 'similar' and 'altogether' mean and show advanced ability in making deep connections in their learning.

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The provision is outstanding

The childminder has high expectations of children's behaviour and what they can achieve. Children readily and eagerly respond to these expectations and their behaviour is impeccable. For example, they independently decide how to take turns with popular resources and impressively articulate and fairly implement these plans between themselves.

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need to do better?

n The childminder gains excellent knowledge of each child she cares for, then expertly tailors their care and education to meet their individual needs. Children make remarkable progress in the childminder's care, and this is corroborated by their parents. This is because the childminder is so tuned into their needs, learning styles and interests, that everything she does with them reflects these and promotes the best outcomes. n Children learn so much through their play. This is because the childminder is a naturally gifted teacher. Her interactions with children are exemplary. She uses gentle and purposeful questioning to promote children's thinking and problem- solving skills, such as 'How do we know this?' The childminder checks children's previous learning and humorously pretends to forget words and/or actions to stories and songs, so that children feel compelled to 'help her out'. She positively

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need to do better?

reiterates the correct pronunciation of words. These highly skilled approaches used at every opportunity, fully promote all areas of children's learning, and especially their communication and language development. n Children have truly wonderful relationships with each other, the childminder and the childminder's own family. Older children are brilliant role models for younger children and they learn so much from each other. This all superbly supports children's personal, social and emotional development.

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need to do better?

15 January 2024 n Children receive constant praise and positive affirmation from the childminder. She places high value on their contributions and frequently tells them, 'That's a good idea' and how clever they are, so that they beam with pride. The level of mutual respect and love each has for the other is remarkable. n Children spontaneously use wonderful manners. They are extremely confident to 'have a go' at anything. For example, they successfully stack circular cereal pieces onto sticks of dry spaghetti, which requires a precise pincer grip and much focused attention. n The childminder uses concepts that children introduce to extend their learning further. For example, children show that they think 'a million' is a large number. The childminder asks them which is the bigger number, one hundred or one million. She encourages their reasoning skills, for example why they think the tallest sculpture resembles 'daddy' and the smallest resembles 'the children'.

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need to do better?

n The childminder works extremely closely with children's parents, other family members and any other professionals involved in the children's care. This ensures high levels of consistency and the very best outcomes for children, whether that be when they are adjusting to the arrival of a new sibling or need extra support with their speech and language development. n Parents past and present all speak extremely highly of the childminder's provision. They know their children have made remarkable progress during their time with the childminder. n The childminder's strong leadership and meticulous oversight of her provision leads to outstanding outcomes for children. She uses a wealth of training opportunities to continually update, refresh and extend her knowledge of best childcare practices. She implements many new and innovative ideas with a clear rationale for doing so and an expert understanding about how this will further

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need to do better?

benefit children's learning, well-being and development.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

There is an open and positive culture around safeguarding that puts children's interests first.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY495823 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 10305405 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 20 February 2018

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2016 and lives in Welwyn Garden City, Hertfordshire. She operates all year round, from 7.30am from 5pm on Monday to Thursday, except bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder provides funded early education for three-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 provider and has taken that into account in their evaluation of the provider. n The childminder and inspector discussed how the curriculum is organised. n The inspector observed the quality of teaching and assessed the impact this has on children's learning. n The inspector spoke to the childminder throughout the inspection as appropriate. n Children spoke to the inspector about the activities they were doing. n The inspector and childminder evaluated an activity together. n The inspector looked at relevant documentation. n A number of parents spoke to the inspector during the inspection and some gave written feedback. The inspector took account of their views.

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Inspection activities

15 January 2024 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 January 2024 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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