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

Children are settled and happy in the care of the childminder. They play together very well and children's behaviour is good. The childminder has a strong understanding of each child's learning needs. She develops her curriculum around these and this supports children to make good progress. Children are keen learners and are excited to explore the range of activities on offer. Babies enjoy filing and emptying containers. They pass pom-poms from one hand to another, showing their developing hand-eye coordination. Children use bricks to build vehicles and dinosaurs. They think carefully about what each piece represents and talk about what they are doing.

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The provision is good

Children have familiar routines, which help them to feel secure. The childminder is aware of when babies need to sleep and makes sure they are clean and comfortable. Children are learning how to do things for themselves. For example, they use knives, with increasing skill, to chop fruit at snack times. Children enjoy sharing books with the childminder. They gain information from pictures and talk about what they can see. Children return to books; they sit quietly and recall the story using their own words and imaginations.

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need to do better?

n The childminder knows children and their families well. She finds out what early experiences children have had when they start at her setting. This helps her to identify what children need to learn next and to find ways to close any gaps in their learning. The childminder tracks the progress that children make and this supports their ongoing learning and development. n Children are developing strong skills in preparation for learning later in their education. For example, they skilfully thread beads onto pipe cleaners, holding the resources with a pincer grip. Babies enjoy lifting out shapes from inset puzzles and they try hard to replace them. n Parents speak positively about the childminder. They state the childminder provides a nurturing environment for children and that they are making good progress under her care. Parents say their children are very happy to attend the childminder's setting and develop a close bond with her.

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need to do better?

n Children's speech and language skills are developing well. They readily join in conversations with each other and with adults. Children are gaining a strong bank of vocabulary. The childminder helps them to learn the meaning of words, such as 'stomp' and 'flutter' as they carry out these actions together. n Children are keen to play and learn outside. They enjoy making marks on the patio with chalks. Children are active as they ride around in cars and move around the garden to hide toy animals. However, the childminder does not always consider ways that babies can play and learn outdoors through the

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need to do better?

1 February 2024 winter months. This results in them watching the older children as the childminder carries them around. n The childminder skilfully introduces children to mathematics. She plans activities for them to learn about number and quantity. Children show their developing understanding as they count and understand the sequence of numbers. The childminder repeats activities with children as she understands how repetition helps to reinforce their learning. n The childminder endeavours to keep children safe at all times. She plans activities with the older children, using small resources, when the younger children are asleep. The childminder continually supervises children and checks sleeping babies regularly. n The childminder understands the importance of continuous professional development. She precisely identifies what areas of her practice and teaching skills she wants to develop further. This helps her to continually enhance her

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need to do better?

knowledge and skills. The childminder has close links with another childminder. This provides her with opportunities to share good practice and hold professional discussions with others.

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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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should:

n enhance the play and learning opportunities available outdoors for babies and young children.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY496294 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 10308563 Type of provision Childminder

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Registers

Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register Day care type Childminder

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inspection

Total number of places 6 Number of children on roll 3 Date of previous inspection 15 March 2018

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2015 and lives in Hunton Bridge, Kings Langley. Sessions are on Monday to Thursday from 8am to 5.30pm. The childminder operates all year round, except for bank holidays and family holidays. She provides funded 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 her and has taken that into account in her evaluations. 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. These 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.

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Inspection activities

1 February 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

1 February 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

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

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