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 thoroughly understands children's learning needs, their likes and dislikes and takes these into account when planning for their development. This helps her to offer a curriculum that engages children's interest and reflects things that they enjoy. Children are happy and secure in her care, and they know that their wishes will be supported. For example, as they finish reading one story with the childminder, they immediately fetch another. They then 'read' the story to her, using the pictures to help them tell the story. This helps them to learn about narratives and increases their understanding of written text to improve their access to future learning.

p.2

The provision is good

The children enjoy regular access to a wide range of interesting books, which the childminder regularly rotates to keep their interest. She reads children's familiar favourite stories, such as 'The Very Hungry Caterpillar'. Children predict what is coming next as they put a finger in their mouth and pull it out to make a 'pop' sound as the childminder says 'pop'. The childminder asks questions to engage the children in the story to develop their understanding and support their language skills. Children eagerly point out and name the things that they can see. The childminder then leaves gaps in the story to encourage them to say the word. The children excitedly shout out 'butterfly!' as the childminder turns the page.

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need to do better?

n The childminder skilfully adapts activities to support the individual learning styles of each child she cares for. Her warm and positive attitude draws the children in and helps them to enjoy their opportunities for learning. For example, she helps children take part in different investigative activities, such as moving blocks on a logic puzzle, by demonstrating and then encouraging them to take the next step. She helps children to work out that coins 'stick' to some magnets on toy trains. n The childminder offers plenty of activities to focus on children's fine motor skills. She has identified how this supports children's early writing, links to their enjoyment of physical and creative play and helps them to develop their vocabulary. She introduces language as the children play, such as 'roll', 'squish' and 'shape' as they mould and manipulate dough with their fingers and simple tools with increasing skill.

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need to do better?

n The childminder supports children's independence in their personal care well. For example, children are able to wash and dry their own hands using the low sink and clean towels in the childminder's downstairs toilet. Children use jugs and an open cup to help promote their pouring and drinking skills. They help themselves to healthy snacks, such as strawberries and fruit pouches. Children follow established rules well. They behave kindly towards each other and follow the childminder's good example to help take care of each other and the toys that

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need to do better?

14 February 2024 they play with. They readily tidy up when they have finished an activity. n The childminder has created strong relationships with parents. She seeks their views regularly and communicates with them to ensure that children receive consistency between her home and their home. Parents praise how well the children thrive in the childminder's setting and the warm relationships she builds with them and their children. They love the range of activities she provides and value her care. n Children learn about mathematical ideas through counting rhymes and counting and sorting different objects that they play with, including money, However, at times, for example when children are counting, the childminder does not take the opportunity to correct them when they count out of sequence, in order to cement their understanding of number and its relation to quantity. n The childminder welcomes oversight and opportunities for feedback on her

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need to do better?

practice. She has also accurately assessed the quality of her own practice. She is clearly dedicated to the children for whom she provides care and thoroughly enjoys her work. This positive attitude helps her to create a home where children are welcomed warmly, looked after with great care and leave ready for the next stage in their lives.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

p.3

Safeguarding

There is an open and positive culture around safeguarding that puts children's interests first.

p.3

should:

n develop the programme for mathematics to support children to develop a secure grounding in counting skills and deepen their understanding of numbers at the earliest opportunity.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 149629 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 10305588 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 27 February 2018

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2000 and lives in Hitchin. She operates all year round from 8am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, except for bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder holds an appropriate qualification at level 3. She 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 childminder and has taken that into account in their evaluation of the setting. n The childminder showed the inspector the premises and discussed how she ensures that they are safe and suitable. n The childminder and the inspector discussed how the childminder organises their early years provision, including the aims and rationale for their early years curriculum. n The childminder and the inspector discussed how the curriculum had been implemented and the impact that this had on children's learning. n The childminder provided the inspector with a sample of key documentation on request. n The inspector observed the interactions between the childminder and the children. n The inspector reviewed the views of parents in writing and took these into account.

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Inspection activities

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

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