Childminder in Hertfordshire

Overall effectiveness Requires improvement

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

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The provision requires improvement

The childminder and her assistants provide a calm and nurturing environment. This helps children to settle quickly. Children are happy and form close relationships with the adults who care for them. The childminder and her assistants provide children with cuddles and affection throughout the day. Children's individual care needs are addressed sensitively, and adults speak gently to children. This reassures children and supports their emotional well-being. However, the childminder has not ensured that her assistants maintain a current first-aid qualification.

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The provision requires improvement

Children behave well. The childminder and her assistants are consistent in their messages. They support children to learn right from wrong and are suitable role models. Children explore toys and resources with interest. However, on occasion, their play is interrupted by adults ready to move them on to the next activity. Children develop an awareness of their local community. Adults plan meaningful opportunities that help children learn about a range of cultures and festivals. This helps children to develop an understanding of the world around them.

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The provision requires improvement

Children make good progress. The childminder and her assistants provide appropriate activities and experiences that enhance children's learning. They observe children and assess the progress they make. Together, they look at their curriculum in terms of planning for children's next steps and ensure that these are incorporated into new learning. This ensures that children are sufficiently challenged.

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need to do better?

n The childminder supports her assistants. They meet regularly and, together, they discuss the setting and look at how it can be enhanced through additional training. However, the childminder has not ensured that her assistants maintain a paediatric first-aid qualification. Consequently, when the childminder is not present and children are cared for by the assistants, there is no adult with a paediatric first-aid qualification available, to respond to accidents, for instance. n The childminder and her assistants have gentle and caring interactions with children. For example, children respond warmly to a spontaneous game of peekaboo. Young children interact enthusiastically when, for example, an assistant reads them a story with a hand puppet. The assistant models how to use the puppet, and children show great interest in the book. Children hold the book and confidently show that they are beginning to turn the pages. The

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need to do better?

children then progress to putting their hands into the puppet and smile knowingly. This demonstrates children's sense of pride and encourages their love for reading. n Partnerships with parents and other providers are effective. Parents praise the

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need to do better?

12 January 2024 childminder and her assistants for their warm and caring natures. Parents speak positively about the progress their children make and the good communication they receive. The childminder and her assistants share with parents what children have been doing at their setting. This helps parents to extend children's learning at home. Additionally, the childminder communicates with other settings, particularly when children are moving on to school. This supports effective transitions. n Children explore their environment with confidence, and they join in happily with the activities. For example, they get creative with stackable tiles. Adults help children to develop an understanding of colours and shapes as they introduce these. However, sometimes, adults bring activities to an end before children are ready and move them on to the next activity. This means that, on occasion, children's play and learning are interrupted.

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need to do better?

n Adults help to enhance children's personal, social and emotional development. They encourage children to share and take turns, modelling this during their play so children understand. Adults support children in their imaginative play, such as when children play with dolls. This helps to support children to learn about the importance of being kind and caring for others. n The childminder and her assistants are aware of children's individual needs, including their dietary and preferred requirements. Children eat a range of healthy, balanced meals and snacks and are appropriately supervised while eating. This keeps children safe. n Children's communication and language are enhanced. They listen to stories read by the childminder and her assistants. Young children hear a wide range of new words and language. For example, adults narrate children's play and talk to them about what they are doing. When young children babble and interact with

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need to do better?

adults, the adults respond appropriately. This has a positive impact. It helps young children to develop early speech and language.

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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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Due date

12 January 2024 ensure that there is at least one person who has a current paediatric first-aid certificate available at all times when children are present and accompany children on outings. 19/01/2024

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should:

n consider the organisation of planned activities to minimise interruption to children's play.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY492603 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 10304949 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 12 Number of children on roll 10 Date of previous inspection 6 February 2018

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2015. She lives in Borehamwood, Hertfordshire. The childminder works with assistants on a daily basis. The childminder holds a childcare qualification at level 3. She operates Monday to Friday, from 8am until 6pm, all year round, except for bank holidays. The childminder also closes for two weeks in the summer and at Christmas.

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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 provider. n The childminder and the inspector held a learning discussion together to understand how the curriculum is organised. n The inspector interacted with children throughout the inspection. She observed the assistants' interactions with children during adult-led activities and reviewed this with the childminder. n The inspector reviewed written feedback from parents and took into account their views and feedback. n The inspector reviewed a sample of the childminder's documentation, including staff suitability and first-aid arrangements.

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Inspection activities

12 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

12 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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