Childminder in Hertfordshire

Overall effectiveness Outstanding

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

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The provision is outstanding

The childminder creates a nurturing and positive environment for children. They experience warm and loving relationships with her. As a result, children cannot wait to engage in their play and begin their learning. The childminder's interactions are natural and filled with genuine affection. She has an ambitious curriculum that uses every opportunity to build on children's understanding and development. Children show and excellent attitude to learning. The childminder consistently notices the children's fascination and extends their interests further. Children confidently ask questions as they explore and listen to the childminder as she supports them to find answers and solutions for themselves. For example, while children check her temperature with the play thermometer, she asks them what other things they can measure the temperature of. Children think and then recall checking the temperature of the room.

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The provision is outstanding

The childminder has high expectations of children's behaviour and what they can achieve. She consistently fosters children's independence. Children practise putting on their own tights and dressing up as their favourite superhero. They take responsibility for meaningful tasks, such as clearing away their own toys. The childminder's approach helps children to master important life skills they need to secure for their next stage of learning.

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need to do better?

n Children make remarkable progress in the childminder's care. This is because she has excellent knowledge of the children and knows how to support their learning. The childminder works with parents from their initial meeting and continuously while the children are with her. She monitors the children's development and plans for their next stage of learning. She sequences children's learning to help them to continually achieve. Children explore, practise skills, learn and talk to the childminder about their successes. n The childminder uses her natural teaching ability as children play. Children have significant language skills for their age. They join in with everyday conversations that build on their early vocabulary. The childminder uses gentle, purposeful questions to promote children's thinking and problem solving skills. She repeats back any words that children mispronounce, so that they hear the correct

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need to do better?

pronunciation. These approaches help achieve the best possible outcomes for children. n The childminder seeks children's opinions and incorporates their ideas into her setting. Children decide on the activities they would like to do during the holidays. The childminder values and respects children's opinions. Furthermore, she combines outings to farms, libraries and activities with other childminding groups to enrich children's learning and social skills.

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need to do better?

23 February 2024 n The childminder pitches her interactions at exactly the right level to help children sustain their interest and build their concentration. She helps children to gain a love of books. Her storytelling is extremely engaging. Children eagerly choose their favourite books. They talk about what might happen next. Children have great fun holding the book and retelling the story back to the childminder. This sets the foundations for children to be proficient readers in the future. n The childminder develops children's mathematical skills effectively. Children match, sort and count different coloured animals. They understand positional language such as 'into, under' and 'on top'. Children learn to count as they count animals. n The childminder has an in-depth knowledge of children and any changes to their family routines. She offers regular insights into what their children's interests are, along with tips for extending their learning at home. This ensures high

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need to do better?

levels of consistency and the very best outcomes for children. Written feedback from parents is overwhelmingly positive. n The childminder places a strong emphasis on her own professional development to ensure that she provides the very best for children. She constantly reviews all areas of her practice and considers ways to further improve. She implements new ideas with a clear rationale for doing so and an expert understanding of how this will further benefit children's learning, well-being and development. For example, when children in her care were facing difficult times, she accessed bereavement training to ensure she could offer the highest level of practical and emotional support.

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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 interest first.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY445216 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 10305507 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 23 February 2018

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2012 and lives in the village of Welham Green, Hatfield. She operates all year round from 8.30am until 6pm, Monday to Friday, except 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 provision. n The childminder spoke to the inspector about children's learning development with a particular focus on communication and language. n Children spoke to the inspector about what they enjoy doing while with the childminder. n Parents provided written feedback, and the inspector took account of their views. n The inspector spoke with the childminder at appropriate times throughout the inspection. n The childminder provided the inspector with a sample of key documentation on request.

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Inspection activities

23 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

23 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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