Skip to content

Help us get it right

Sign in (free) to send feedback, so we can tell you when it's fixed.

Early years · Childminder inspection (EIF)

Childminder in Hertfordshire

Inspected 22 Jan 2024 · published 13 Feb 2024 · URN EY484239

Help us get it right

Sign in (free) to send feedback, so we can tell you when it's fixed.

Original PDF ↗

Summary

What we read, and from where

Click a reading to see it highlighted in the report.

  • Inspection date verified

    22 Jan 2024

  • Inspectors verified

    Jill Hardaker

  • Behaviour and attitudes verified

    Good

  • Leadership and management verified

    Good

  • Overall effectiveness verified

    Good

  • Personal development verified

    Good

  • Previous overall verified

    Good

  • Quality of education verified

    Good

  • Name on report verified

    Childminder report

  • URN verified

    EY484239

Page 1 of 6
Page 1 of the report

Deep dive

What this report says

In plain English

Join free to get a short, plain-English summary of any report.

Grade profile

Hollow rings show the previous inspection, 2018.

  • OverallGood
  • Behaviour and attitudesGood
  • Leadership and managementGood
  • Personal developmentGood
  • Quality of educationGood

79% of comparable inspections in the last three years were graded Good (17,905 inspections).

Tone of the report

How positive or critical the inspectors' language is, from the words they chose. No AI involved.

+82Very positivemore positive than 82% of reports of this type graded Good
OutstandingGoodRIInadequate

In line with other reports of this type graded Good.

Markers show where typical reports of each grade sit.

Praiseenjoystronghappyconfidentlyeffectivepositiveconsistentlypositively
Criticismgaps

How the report reads, start to finish

Every paragraph in order, sized by length. Tap one to see it on the page.

FindingsSafeguardingWhat needs to improveAbout the inspection positive critical
  • Findings639w+80
  • Safeguarding20w+50
  • What needs to improve18w0

Strengths

Quoted from the report. Tap to see it on the page.

Concerns

Quoted from the report. Tap to see it on the page.

No strong criticism found.

Next steps

Quoted from the report. Tap to see it on the page.

What the report dwells on

Topics by how often they come up, coloured by how they are described. Open one for an example.

Anatomy of the report

How the report is built, against others of the same type and grade.

Pages
6
Words of findings
646
about usual (typical 764)
Reading level
Fairly hard
Flesch 55, typical 52
Average sentence
12 words
Next steps
1
typical 2
Hedged sentences
0%
“some”, “not always”, “most”…

Where the words go

Findings 57%Safeguarding 2%What needs to improve 2%About the inspection 40%

Full report text

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

p.1

The provision is good

Children demonstrate that they feel happy and secure in the childminder's friendly home. They greet visitors with a smile and confidently introduce themselves. Children enjoy exploring the exciting activities the childminder provides. They spend time investigating different resources during creative activities. The childminder adapts her teaching for each child. For example, she introduces mathematics for older children while supporting the younger ones to succeed at their task. This results in children learning well, and they concentrate for sustained lengths of time.

p.2

The provision is good

Children enjoy being with each other, and effective friendships are being made. The childminder models good manners and speaks respectfully to children. This results in children listening well to her and consistently displaying good behaviour. Children are learning how to take care of themselves. They know to wash their hands before eating and take care with toys. The childminder provides many activities outside her home. Children talk about where they like to go, recalling their outings with detail. Children's communication and language skills are very good.

p.2

need to do better?

n The childminder plans a balanced curriculum that supports children to gain the skills they need to build on for their future learning. She finds out what experiences children have at home and finds ways to close any gaps in children's development. This results in children learning well from the outset. n The childminder helps children to develop strong communication and language skills. She sensitively repeats words back to children in the correct tense. Story times are enjoyed by all. Children confidently express their views and talk about their own experiences. The childminder makes sure that younger children are included. For example, she asks them questions about what they can see on the pictures. All children are developing very strong vocabulary. n Parents speak positively about the childminder. They say their children are very happy to attend her setting and are learning well. Parents state that the

p.2

need to do better?

childminder shares information with them very regularly. This helps them to know how children are developing and how they can support them to learn even more while at home. n Children have many opportunities to find out about each other. The childminder talks to them about their families, and children readily discuss what they have been doing at home. The childminder knows what festivals are important to children and their families. She plans activities in her setting so that these can be celebrated by all. n Children have many opportunities to develop their fine motor skills. Young children enjoy the sensation of feeling different materials that are hard and soft.

p.2

need to do better?

22 January 2024 Children use their fingers to carefully peel stickers from the backing. Activities such as these help children to build their small muscles in preparation for early writing. n The childminder provides children with a range of healthy meals and snacks, which they enjoy. She supports children to do things for themselves, such as to wash their hands and wipe their noses. The childminder provides lots of opportunities for children to be physically active and also to have time to rest. This supports children to understand how they can develop healthy lifestyles. n The childminder understands the importance of continual professional development. She takes part in online webinars to help her gain new knowledge and skills. She adapts her teaching to make it more relevant to children's needs. For example, she talks about how she encourages children to look for words and numbers when outside. This has a positive impact on children's learning

p.2

need to do better?

outcomes. The childminder works in close partnership with parents, understanding their valuable contribution to children's development. However, she does not work in partnership with other settings children attend in order to promote their learning to the highest levels.

p.3

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

p.3

Safeguarding

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

p.3

should:

n develop closer partnership working with other settings children attend, in order to promote further continuity in learning.

p.3

Setting details

Unique reference number EY484239 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 10308459 Type of provision Childminder

p.4

Registers

Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register Day care type Childminder

p.4

inspection

Total number of places 6 Number of children on roll 16 Date of previous inspection 13 March 2018

p.4

Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2015 and lives in Hertford. She operates from Monday to Thursday, from 7.30am until 6.15pm, all year round.

p.4

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 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. This 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.

p.4

Inspection activities

22 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.

p.4

Inspection activities

22 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.

p.5

Inspection activities

If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 1231, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk .

p.6

Inspection activities

You may reuse this information (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. To view this licence, visit www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/ , write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk

p.6

Inspection activities

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more information and updates: http://eepurl.com/iTrDn .

p.6

Inspection activities

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/ofsted

p.6

Discuss this inspection

Members compare notes on inspectors and inspections here. Join free to read and post.

Join the discussion