Childminder in Hertfordshire

Overall effectiveness Good

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

p.1

The provision is good

Children are happy and confident learners at the setting. They are highly sociable and rush to greet visitors and introduce their friends. Their high levels of self- confidence are nurtured by the childminder as she explains routines of the day with the children. The childminder provides a dedicated play area, which feels warm and welcoming. The room is well resourced with a wide range of toys and activities that spark children's interests.

p.2

The provision is good

Children are eager to explore and show high levels of engagement. The childminder uses snack time to promote a wealth of learning opportunities. Children learn to use tools for a purpose and concentrate as they cut up kiwi and cucumber using plastic knives. They look at the seeds they can see and talk about the different textures of the food using words, such as 'crunchy' and 'soft'. This supports their language development.

p.2

The provision is good

The childminder sets high expectations for children's behaviour and acts as an excellent role model. She supports children to share resources with their peers and understand the impact of their behaviour on others. Children learn how to look after their environment and assess risk. The childminder emphasises the importance of tidying toys away to prevent accidents. This helps children to behave exceptionally well.

p.2

need to do better?

n The childminder demonstrates a good knowledge of child development and knows the children she cares for well. She uses observations and children's interests to plan an ambitious curriculum and appropriate next steps, which fully support children's learning. For example, children that need to build strength in their fingers, mould dough into shapes and engage in threading activities. n Children are highly independent. They manage self-care skills, such as dressing and washing hands, with confidence. Older children help younger children to take their coats off, and know to change their shoes to slippers when they come inside. Children show a good understanding of why they need to wash their hands, explaining they need to 'wash the germs away'. n The childminder places a strong focus on promoting children's early literacy skills. A cosy reading area provides opportunity for children to share books with

p.2

need to do better?

the childminder, helping them to develop a love for books. The childminder reads with animation and chooses good-quality texts, which support children to build on their knowledge of topics such as visiting the dentist. n Children become deeply engaged in their play. They become immersed in water play as they pour water down pipes on the wall and concentrate on pouring from different sized bottles. This helps to build on their hand-eye coordination. They

p.2

need to do better?

18 April 2024 notice the marks they make with water and paint brushes on the floor. Sometimes, the childminder does not follow children's interests as they play, reducing opportunities for them to follow their own lines of enquiry. n The childminder weaves mathematical language throughout her interactions with children. From an early age, children count up to 10 and enjoy recognising numerals in the environment. The childminder talks about the size of things as they make 'big circles', helping children to build a secure understanding of mathematical concepts. n The childminder provides children with a rich set of experiences outside of the setting, including trips to the library, local farms, and soft-play centres. These support children to build on their social skills and expand their knowledge of the wider world around them. n Parents speak highly of the setting, commenting that the childminder has the

p.2

need to do better?

'happiness and well-being of the children at the heart of everything she does'. The childminder keeps parents up to date with their child's learning and development with daily handovers. She supports children to continue their learning at home through sharing ideas and next steps. n The childminder keeps her mandatory training up to date. She has attended a wide range of webinars that has enabled her to keep her practice continuously evolving to suit the needs of children. She has a robust set of policies and procedures in place, which shapes her practice to ensure that children have the best outcomes.

p.3

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 support children to follow their own lines of enquiry as they play to help build on their learning and development even further.

p.3

Setting details

Unique reference number EY497954 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 10335078 Type of provision Childminder

p.4

Registers

Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register Day care type Childminder

p.4

inspection

Total number of places 6 Number of children on roll 7 Date of previous inspection 4 June 2018

p.4

Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2016 and lives in Hatfield. She operates her provision from 7.30am to 6pm from Monday to Friday, all year round, except for bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder holds an appropriate qualification at level 3 and provides funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children.

p.4

Inspection activities

n This was the first routine inspection the setting 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 joined the inspector on a learning walk. She talked to the inspector about the curriculum. n The inspector observed the quality of education being provided, indoors and outdoors. She discussed children's progress with the childminder. n The childminder and inspector carried out a joint observation. n The inspector looked at relevant documentation. This included evidence of the childminder's suitability, training record and safeguarding documents. n The inspector took account of written feedback provided by parents.

p.4

Inspection activities

18 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.

p.4

Inspection activities

18 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.

p.5

Inspection activities

If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 1231, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk .

p.6

Inspection activities

You may reuse this information (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. To view this licence, visit www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/ , write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk

p.6

Inspection activities

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more information and updates: http://eepurl.com/iTrDn .

p.6

Inspection activities

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/ofsted

p.6