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

Children are content, active and busy in the childminder's welcoming home. They show a strong sense of belonging as they move between the kitchen and playroom with confidence. The childminder knows and understands children very well. She builds her curriculum around each child's learning needs. The childminder has an informal, flexible approach to teaching. This allows her to be attuned to what children need to learn next and to tailor her teaching to children's immediate needs. Children enjoy exploring play dough and are learning how to use tools with purpose. The childminder interacts with children, introducing them to mathematical language and colour names.

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The provision is good

Children thoroughly enjoy being outdoors. They show their developing physical skills as they kick balls, use the slide and ride around in toy cars. At other times, children learn about nature and the changing seasons as they visit parks and woodlands. The childminder teaches children to be aware of each other's needs. For example, she explains how children could topple of the slide if they do not go straight down. Children are learning how to keep themselves safe, as they have many opportunities to carry out tasks for themselves. They show pride in their achievements, which promotes their positive self-esteem. Children play together well, and their behaviour is good.

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need to do better?

n The childminder builds good relationships with parents, and this helps her to gain vital knowledge about what children can do when they start to attend. She understands the importance of children feeling secure in order to learn in the best possible way. With this in mind, the childminder adapts her settling-in procedures to ensure that the needs of children and parents are met. This results in children building a strong bond with her and making good progress in their learning. n Children enjoy sharing books with the childminder. They excitedly find books they have chosen from a recent visit to the library. The childminder gives children time to gain information from pictures and talk about what they see and know. Children use strong vocabulary and show their developing mathematical skills as they count and compare. n The childminder considers what children know and what they need to learn next to help prepare them for moving on to nursery and, ultimately, to school. She

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need to do better?

takes children's interest into consideration when planning activities. This results in children engaging in learning well. Children have opportunities to socialise in bigger groups as they visit toddler groups and take part in story and singing times at the library. n Parents speak positively about the childminder. They say their children are very

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need to do better?

4 March 2024 happy in her care and are making good progress. Parents feel that the childminder teaches children well, and they appreciate the many outings she takes children on. n The childminder adapts her routine to make sure children's needs are always met. For example, she delays snack so as not to interrupt children's engagement in learning. This results in younger children playing contentedly, in this instance with cars. Other children show their developing creativity as they play with dough. n Children display strong speech and language skills. The childminder introduces new words to them, such as 'peeling'. Children remember these words and use them in the correct context when, for example, they describe what they are doing as they peel dough from the side of shape cutters. Younger children repeat the clear, simple words the childminder uses with them. This helps them to learn to label and use words correctly.

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need to do better?

n The childminder has strong links with other childminders. This provides her with opportunities to share good practice and hold professional discussions with others. The childminder reflects on and evaluates her practice to promote continuous improvement. However, she does not precisely identify and use professional development opportunities as well as she could, to extend her teaching skills and knowledge further.

p.3

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.

p.3

should:

n identify and use a wider range of professional development opportunities in order to enhance teaching skills and knowledge further.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 130269 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 10316832 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 2 Date of previous inspection 15 May 2018

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 1998. She lives in Rickmansworth, Hertfordshire. The childminder operates all year round, from 7.45am to 5.30pm, 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 her evaluation of the childminder n The inspector and the childminder looked at the areas of her home that she uses with children 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. n A sample of policies and procedures was looked at by the inspector. This included documents relating to the suitability of household members, as well as safeguarding and complaints. n The inspector took into account the views of parents and discussed the childminder's reflections of her practice with her.

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Inspection activities

4 March 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

4 March 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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