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

Children demonstrate they feel happy and safe in the childminder's care. They seek her out for reassurance when unsure of visitors to the house. Children soon feel confident and are keen to include visitors in their play. As the children currently attending are young, the childminder builds her curriculum around play and exploration. This results in children showing how their imaginations are developing. For example, they ask to dress up and pretend to go for walks to the shops. The childminder uses these opportunities to help children to learn about each other. She discusses how they have to make sure some food items they buy are suitable for children who have a vegan diet.

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The provision is good

Children show care and consideration to each other. They play together very well and their behaviour is good. Children are developing good independence skills. They persevere with tasks such as putting on dressing-up clothes. Children know when they need to ask for help and are very pleased with their achievements. The childminder is patient with children and gives them time to explore and do things for themselves. This results in children playing contentedly, solving their own problems and constantly discovering how things work.

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need to do better?

n The childminder gets to know children well when they start with her. She sequences the children's learning effectively to help them progressively build on what they know and can do. The childminder tracks the progress children are making and clearly identifies what they need to learn next. Children are making good progress. n Children display strong communication and language skills. The childminder uses clear simple language when interacting with young children. They copy her words as they point to objects. Other children display strong vocabulary as they play imaginatively and explain what they are doing. n The young children, who are currently attending, are inquisitive. They show good engagement in self-chosen play and exploration. Children spend time looking out of the window at birds. The childminder finds them binoculars, so they can look more closely and they talk together about what they can see.

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need to do better?

Relationships between the children and the childminder are warm and friendly. n The childminder builds strong relationships with parents. Parents' written comments express high levels of satisfaction with the service she provides. Parents state their children enjoy the wide range of activities and are making good progress. n Children's days with the childminder include a wide variety of outings. They visit the library and toddler groups and go on walks in the local area. Outings, such as these, enhance children's understanding of their community and natural

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need to do better?

25 January 2024 environment. The childminder makes sure children will benefit from any outing she takes them on, to further extend their learning. n The childminder is keen for children to gain skills they need for their future education. She plans interesting activities, which children are excited to explore. For example, they enjoy tapping on a box and seeing what is inside. However, at times, the childminder asks young children too many questions relating to letters and sounds. This results in children replying that they do not know or cannot do what the childminder is asking them to do. n The childminder has established good links with other local childminders and shares ideas and information with them. Their professional discussions help her to reflect on and evaluate her practice. The childminder keeps up to date with changes within the early years sector and seeks opportunities to further enhance

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need to do better?

her knowledge. She undertakes training and research and talks about how she uses what she has learned to enhance and adapt her teaching skills. n The childminder understands her role and responsibility in keeping children safe. She provides a safe environment for children to play in. Children are learning how to keep themselves safe, such as by tidying away toys they have finished with.

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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 strengthen the planning of activities to ensure the learning intent meets the developmental needs of the children taking part.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY451391 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 10308385 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 21 March 2018

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2012 and lives in Potters Bar, Hertfordshire. She operates from 8am until 5pm, Monday to Thursday, all year round, except for bank holidays and family holidays.

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Inspection activities

n This was the first routine inspection the childminder received since the COVID- 19 pandemic. The inspector discussed the impact of the pandemic with the provider and has taken that into account in her evaluations. n The inspector and childminder looked around the premises and discussed how the childminder 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, which included documents relating to the suitability of household members, safeguarding and complaints.

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Inspection activities

25 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

25 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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