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 creates a warm and homely environment where children feel safe and secure. Her nurturing and attentive approach means that children seek her out for support and cuddle up with her when in need of reassurance.

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The provision is good

Children have a good understanding of behaviour expectations and follow the rules of the setting well. The childminder supports this by providing children with lots of praise and by encouraging them to explore the impact of their behaviour. For example, children are eager to tidy away after activities. They explain how treading on the building blocks could hurt their feet.

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The provision is good

The childminder encourages children to take on age-appropriate responsibilities and complete tasks with minimal support. She understands how vital this is in supporting children to become independent. Children delight at using brooms and brushes to sweep up after messy activities. They set the table for meals, help prepare their snacks and confidently tidy away plates once finished.

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The provision is good

Children are confident communicators who engage well with one another. The childminder has a deep understanding of children's interests and early experiences. She utilises this knowledge well when promoting children's language development. For example, children are encouraged to discuss recent holidays they have taken. Their friends listen attentively and are keen to learn more about their experiences.

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need to do better?

n The childminder adapts and extends her teaching well to meet the learning needs of all children. This ensures that activities provide an appropriate level of challenge that supports children to remain engaged. For example, young children delight at exploring the different colours and shapes of pasta in a sensory activity. Older children identify letters that are hidden amongst the pasta. The childminder skilfully extends their learning by encouraging them to name objects that start with the same sounds. n Children's safety is paramount. The childminder ensures that her home remains safe for all children who attend. She completes regular risk assessments and uses age-appropriate equipment both in the home and when on trips out. The childminder demonstrates a thorough understanding of safeguarding issues. She confidently identifies when children may be at risk from harm and explains the correct process to follow when reporting her concerns.

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need to do better?

n The childminder plans activities and learning opportunities that ensure that children are well prepared for the next stage of their learning. For example, young children confidently use tweezers to pick up small objects. This enables them to develop hand strength and supports their early writing skills.

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need to do better?

20 February 2024 n Children have a good understanding of healthy lifestyles. The childminder provides healthy meals and snacks and takes every opportunity to discuss healthy food choices with children. All children know to wash their hands before eating and after activities. They confidently explain that this keeps them healthy as germs are washed away. n The childminder is highly committed to developing her own knowledge and skills. She undertakes numerous additional training courses and is currently working towards completing an early years foundation degree. She understands how these opportunities support her to gather a deep understanding about how to enhance children's learning. n Relationships with parents are strong and respectful. Parents speak highly of the childminder and the nurturing care she provides. They deeply value the regular communication they receive regarding children's progress as well as their daily

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need to do better?

routines. The childminder works closely with other professionals to provide additional support for families and seeks advice where necessary to promote children's learning. n The childminder strives to enhance the care she provides for children. She gathers feedback from families and uses this information to plan new and exciting play opportunities for children. For example, she is currently working with the children to develop an outdoor classroom that will provide all weather learning opportunities. However, the childminder does not demonstrate the same, robust methods of reflection when evaluating her indoor environment. Although she provides children with a wide range of interesting resources, they are not always arranged in a manner that supports older, most-able children to access suitably challenging learning opportunities independently.

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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 indoor play environment to consistently enable all children to independently access additional resources that supports their wide range of interests and learning needs.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY499323 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 10311797 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 7 Date of previous inspection 10 April 2018

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2016. She lives in Welwyn Garden City, Hertfordshire. She operates all year round, from 7.30am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, except bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder provides funded early 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 the provider and has taken that into account in their evaluation of the provider. n The inspector considered the views of parents by reviewing feedback letters. n The inspector looked at relevant documents, including evidence of the suitability of all persons living at the premises. n The inspector observed the interactions between the childminder and the children during activities. n The inspector observed the quality of teaching to assess the impact on children's learning. n The inspector and the childminder completed a joint observation of an activity to assess the quality of teaching. n The inspector held discussions with the childminder about the monitoring of learning and development in the setting and tracked the progress of children.

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Inspection activities

20 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

20 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

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