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 very happy and settled in this warm and welcoming home. The childminder invests time getting to know children before they start. She focuses on building positive relationships with the children and their families. Children settle quickly and show a strong sense of self-esteem. The childminder supports children to develop good social skills and confidence. For example, children build their ability to communicate with other adults and children at regular organised groups. Children also gain an understanding of diversity and the wider community beyond their immediate environment, which prepares them for life in modern Britain.

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The provision is good

The childminder builds on children's experiences to create an exciting curriculum that helps to embed new knowledge and skills. For instance, she provides play opportunities that enhance children's previous experiences with parents, such as a visit to a zoo. Children eagerly recall what they know to create a zoo with small toy animals. The childminder's use of questions ignites children to talk about their favourite animals and habits. The childminder offers praise and encouragement, which motivates children to keep trying, such as managing their own self-care. Children behave extremely well. They respond well to the childminder's prompts, such as reminders to take turns, and copy her use of good manners. Older children are positive role models.

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need to do better?

n The experienced childminder provides an exciting and sequenced curriculum for children. She uses their strong love of books to provide a wide range of experiences that are precisely tailored to what children need to learn next, linked to their favourite stories. Children make good progress. n The childminder places a strong emphasis on promoting children's communication and language skills. She consistently provides children with good eye contact when speaking to them and expresses a genuine interest in what children say. Children eagerly select and participate in the rhymes they wish to sing. The childminder sensitively repeats words back to children to help support their correct pronunciation. Her continuous dialogue with children ensures they have opportunities to practise new words. n Children develop an understanding of mathematical concepts. They confidently complete puzzles and make comparisons between the height of the towers they

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need to do better?

build. The childminder introduces children to the name of shapes such as 'cylinder'. Children thoroughly enjoy joining in with action songs that help support their understanding of quantities and introduce them to subtraction. However, at times, the childminder does not make the most of opportunities for children to identify numbers. n Children benefit from many experiences that help them to understand the

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need to do better?

12 April 2024 importance of a healthy lifestyle. They help to plant and nurture a range of vegetables that the childminder incorporates within the freshly cooked and nutritionally balanced meals she provides. This enhances children's awareness of where food comes from. Regular access to the childminder's inviting garden and visits to local parks help children develop good physical skills and high levels of stamina. n The childminder provides children with a rich range of resources that reflect children's evolving interests and needs. Children independently access these and engage well in their chosen activities. However, when children have finished playing, the childminder does not encourage them to put the activities back before selecting different ones. This means that on occasions play spaces become cluttered and other children struggle to find places to start new activities. The childminder recognises this and tidies resources away without

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need to do better?

involving children to help them develop a sense of responsibility and respect for their environment. n Parents speak highly of the childminder and comment that they regard her as 'an extension of their own family'. They feel fully involved in their children's learning and receive detailed daily feedback. The childminder lends parents resources so that they can continue to support their children's development at home. Older children say how much they enjoy attending and playing with the childminder and their friends. n The childminder has a positive attitude to her professional development. For example, she attends weekly webinars and is currently undertaking an early years professional development programme. This enables her to gain new ideas and knowledge from an extensive range of professionals within the early years sector. As a result, this has enhanced her understanding of the importance of not interrupting children's flow of play to enable them to fully explore their

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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 make the most of opportunities for children to identify numbers n build on children's understanding of respect for their play environment.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY294022 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 10335242 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 8 Date of previous inspection 8 June 2018

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2004 and lives in Sawbridgeworth. She operates all year round from 7.30am until 6pm, Monday to Friday, except for bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder holds a childcare 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 her evaluation of the setting. n The inspector observed the quality of teaching during activities indoors and outdoors and assessed the impact this has on children's learning. n The childminder completed a joint evaluation of an activity with the inspector, and they discussed their findings. n The inspector spoke to children and held a number of discussions with the childminder at appropriate times during the inspection. n The childminder provided the inspector with a sample of key documentation on request. n The inspector took account of the views of parents spoken to on the day and their written feedback.

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Inspection activities

12 April 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

12 April 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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