Childminder, Out-of school day care in Hertfordshire

This provision meets requirements

The childminder provides a very welcoming, nurturing environment for the children in her care. She is extremely attentive to the children's individual needs, offering them a wide range of stimulating activities and experiences. For example, chalk boards are provided for the children to practise their number writing skills and children participate in bubble painting activities. They grow vegetables, make and decorate cakes and construct models out of a wide range of resources, including recycled materials. Throughout their time in the childminder's care, children consistently demonstrate lots of enthusiasm as they play, behave very well, and demonstrate good manners. Children thoroughly enjoy developing friendships, helping one another, and sharing experiences with their friends and the childminder.

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This provision meets requirements

The childminder skilfully asks the children a range of questions and introduces new vocabulary, mathematical and scientific concepts as the children play. This is very effective in stimulating the children's curiosity and problem-solving skills. For example, children show fascination as they mix bicarbonate of soda and water together and watch it change into 'white snow'. Younger children show high levels of concentration as they carefully mix the ingredients together before modelling their snow to make a snowman. The childminder adds to the children's enjoyment by providing additional resources and materials. This successfully stimulates children to use their imaginations. Younger children choose googly eyes and wooden twigs to represent the snowman's arms. Older children make igloos and engage in discussions with the childminder about how penguins keep warm.

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need to do better?

n The enthusiastic, dedicated childminder puts the children at the heart of everything she does. She demonstrates a breadth of experience and accesses training opportunities to further enhance her existing good knowledge and skills. The childminder evaluates her practice, reflecting on what is working well, including identifying areas where she could further enhance the quality of care and play opportunities provided. The childminder also takes time to talk to the children about their activity preferences and current interests, including actively involving them in her meal planning. n The childminder is very effective in supporting the children to stay safe. She talks to the children about why it is important to stand back from the road, to listen and to look left and right for ongoing traffic. Additionally, children are reminded by the childminder why it is importance not to throw ice when near others and are able to confidently describe why they must not cross the 'magic

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need to do better?

line' in the childminder's kitchen when she is preparing hot food.

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need to do better?

16 January 2024 n The childminder knows the children extremely well. She is kind and caring, developing strong attachments with the children. This is very effective in supporting the children's sense of belonging and emotional security. Children demonstrate that they feel safe and settled in the childminder's home. They are happy and confidently follow daily routines, such as independently taking off their shoes and hanging up their outdoor clothing on arrival. n The childminder actively joins in the children's play, using every opportunity to extend their learning while having fun. She encourages younger children to count the pretend money and becomes involved in the preparation of a picnic. Additionally, consistent back-and-forth animated conversations help all children to continue to develop their communication skills and growing knowledge. For example, a conversation about a child's igloo construction leads to a discussion

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need to do better?

about the weather in countries, such as Canada and how a skidoo is used as a method of transport. n The childminder provides healthy, balanced and nutritious meals and snacks, which the children thoroughly enjoy and ask for more. She obtains information and holds discussions with parents regarding children's known dietary and health requirements. This is very effective in supporting the childminder to administer medication appropriately and, therefore, ensures the children's ongoing health and welfare. n The childminder successfully broadens children's knowledge and understanding of the world around them. For example, the children chalk Rangoli patterns in celebration of Diwali and made edible baubles and handprint robin greetings cards during the Christmas festivities. Additionally, the childminder provides a special birthday tea and cake to celebrate each child's birthday. n Parents are very complimentary in their praise of the childminder. They state

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need to do better?

that they are extremely happy with the activities and routines provided, and that the childminder provides a safe and nurturing environment where children have lots of fun. Additionally, children comment that they really enjoy their time in the childminder's care. They also state that they love the childminder's evening meals and snacks, such as her curry, pizza, spaghetti Bolognese and flapjacks.

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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 EY495702 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 10304997 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 14 Date of previous inspection 7 February 2018

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2015 and lives in Redbourn, Hertfordshire. She operates Monday to Friday from 7.30am until 8.45am and from 3.15pm until 6pm. The childminder operates during term time only, except for bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder has an early years qualification at level 3.

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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 setting. n The childminder showed the inspector the areas of her home that children access. They discussed how the childminder organises her setting and the experiences provided for children. n The inspector accompanied the childminder when she collected children from the local school and observed how she keeps the children safe. n The inspector observed the quality of the childminder's interactions with the children during indoor activities. n Children spoke to the inspector during the inspection. n The childminder provided the inspector with a sample of key documentation on request. n The inspector took account of the views of parents from written feedback provided at the inspection and by speaking to them.

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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

16 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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