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 young children, present during the inspection, demonstrate they feel safe and secure in the childminder's care. They seek her out for cuddles and reassurance when they are unsure of visitors in her home. The childminder reassures children that they are safe and they are soon confident to play and explore. The childminder knows children well and develops her curriculum around each child's needs. She adapts her planning and teaching when older children are present. This provides children with many learning opportunities to prepare them for moving on to school.

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The provision is good

Babies have lots of opportunities to be active. They crawl around the well- organised space as they explore the toys. Toddlers find places to pull themselves to standing and take tentative steps pushing wheeled toys. All children are pleased with their achievements, showing this as they smile and clap. They relish the praise and encouragement they receive from the childminder. Children have lots of free choice from the ample range of resources available to them. This results in children being constantly occupied and busy and their behaviour is good.

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need to do better?

n The childminder precisely tracks the progress children are making. She knows where they are in their development and has clear next steps for learning in place for each child. The childminder identifies where any child may need extra support and swiftly looks at ways she can support them more closely. Children are making good progress. n Partnership working with parents is good. Parents speak positively about the childminder. They state their children are very happy to attend and feel safe. Parents are pleased with the progress their children are making. n Babies and young children have familiar routines. This helps them to feel secure. Babies settle to sleep peacefully, as the childminder recognizes when they are tired. They wake up refreshed and ready to re-engage in active learning. n The childminder uses young children's interest in books as a catalyst for further learning. She uses clear words to label different pictures that children point at.

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need to do better?

This helps the young children to hear words in context. The childminder suggests children look for squirrels in the garden after seeing pictures of one. This results in children spending time happily looking out of the window. The childminder's narration of what is happening further contributes to children's understanding of words and speech. n Young children are beginning to enjoy role play. The childminder interacts with them to extend their learning. For instance, she pretends to drink cups of tea they have poured. Children show their developing imaginations as they hold small books to their ears and say, 'Hi'. When the childminder asks if they are making a phone call, the children nod in response.

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need to do better?

14 February 2024 n The childminder provides a highly effective learning environment. Children move around the many different areas with excitement at what they might find. The childminder is highly aware of hazards and thoroughly carries out risk assessments. She provides a separate space for older children, so they can use equipment with smaller pieces away from the babies and young children. n The childminder strives to provide the best care and education for every child. She works closely with parents to help them to support children's learning at home. The childminder has some communication with staff at other settings children attend. However, she does not readily share her detailed assessments and knowledge of children with them, to promote further continuity in children's learning. n The childminder reflects on her practice and looks at ways she can develop it further. She undertakes some training, such as covering safeguarding. However,

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need to do better?

she does not place a high enough focus on continuous professional development to help her extend her knowledge, practice and teaching skills to the highest levels.

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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 develop closer partnership working with other settings children attend in order to promote more continuity in children's learning n widen the range of professional development opportunities to further extend knowledge and teaching skills.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY429438 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 10311853 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 6 Date of previous inspection 12 April 2018

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2011 and lives in Chorleywood. She operates on Monday to Thursday, all year round, except for bank holidays and family holidays. Sessions are from 8.30am to 6.30pm. The childminder holds an appropriate childcare qualification at level 3.

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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 provider and has taken that into account in her evaluations. n The inspector and childminder took a tour of the premises 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. They also discussed the needs of individual children and talked about the progress they are making. 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. n The inspector took into account the written views of parents and discussed the childminder's reflections of her practice with her.

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Inspection activities

14 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

14 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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