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

The childminder provides children with relevant opportunities that relate to children's individual interests and stages of development. This helps them to settle quickly and leads to them accessing the resources that interest them independently. The childminder provides children with cuddles and reassurance whenever they need, helping them to form strong bonds with her.

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The provision is good

The childminder is a positive role model, and children benefit from her warm and friendly interactions. Children learn to work together and do this readily, without any prompting from the childminder. They all join in with a 'working together' song. Older children pick up tools for younger children as they play with dough together.

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The provision is good

The childminder incorporates children's cultures and backgrounds into her provision through discussion and celebration. She takes a great interest in the children's lives and knows the families well. For instance, the childminder knows the individual words that children use for different people in their families and refers to them regularly as she talks to the children while they play. Communication and discussion are continuous and, as a result, children develop a wide-ranging vocabulary and speak clearly and confidently.

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need to do better?

n The childminder values all children and provides them with strong support. Younger children persevere at challenges, such as when they peel the backing from stickers to use on their artwork. They demonstrate that they are proud of their achievements, and the childminder praises them to celebrate what they have done, encouraging all of their friends to celebrate with her. n The childminder has a good knowledge of each child and their abilities. She uses this information accurately to plan interesting and relevant activities. Children engage well in their learning, showing strong concentration and focus. However, occasionally, the childminder does not check what children have learned from the activities they complete. This limits her ability to build on children's learning as quickly as possible so that they can make even more rapid progress. n Parents are very happy with the care that the childminder provides. They speak

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need to do better?

about the childminder's strong communication and how confident they are in her abilities to teach their children. Parents recognise the consistent progress their children make in her care. Strong professional relationships between the childminder and the parents have a positive impact on children's ability to feel safe and secure at the childminder's home. n The childminder understands the importance of completing professional development. She participates in networking opportunities with other childminders. However, opportunities to develop her professional knowledge are

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need to do better?

23 January 2024 not yet focused to allow her to develop her practice even further and keep up to date with any changes within the wider early years sector. n The childminder has routines in place, which the children are very familiar with. For instance, they arrive and wave goodbye to their parents and take off their shoes without prompting. Children understand the importance of good hygiene, washing their hands before snack. The childminder's strong routines and high expectations help children to become independent in managing their own needs effectively. n The childminder responds to challenges and adapts her provision. For example, she identified a lack of opportunities for children to interact with a wider range of children locally. The childminder responded to this by inviting other childminders and children to her home to participate in music groups, as this is something that the children particularly enjoy. This helps children to build their

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need to do better?

wider social networks. n The childminder has robust risk assessments in place to keep children safe. She explains the rules to children to help them understand why the rules are in place. This helps children to learn about how to identify and assess risks for themselves.

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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 consistently check children's knowledge to help them build on what they know and can do even more rapidly n develop professional knowledge and keep up to date with relevant changes to enhance the provision on offer even further.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY379094 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 10301044 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 3 Date of previous inspection 24 January 2018

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2008 and lives in Watford. She operates all year round, from 9am to 4pm, Monday to Friday, 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 began. The inspector discussed the impact of the pandemic with the childminder and has taken that into account in their evaluation of the childminder. n The inspector viewed the provision and discussed the safety and suitability of the premises with the childminder. n The childminder spoke to the inspector about children's learning and development, with a particular focus on communication and language. n The inspector spoke to parents and read written feedback. She took their views into consideration. n The childminder provided the inspector with a sample of key documentation on request.

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Inspection activities

23 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

23 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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