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 display a strong sense of belonging in the childminder's home. They are constantly busy as they move around the house and garden choosing what they want to do. The childminder and her assistant know children and their families well. This helps them to know what experiences children have at home and what they can already do when they start to attend. The childminder builds her curriculum around each child's learning needs. She aims for them to develop into strong independent children who gain essential skills to support their future learning.

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The provision is good

Children enjoy spending time in the garden where they can be active and explore the natural environment. They are inquisitive, for example when they tip balls down drainpipes and estimate which colour will reach the bottom first. The childminder helps children to develop healthy lifestyles. She involves them in the preparation of snack. Children use knives with ease to chop fruit. The childminder is aware that some children need sensitive support to try new foods. She encourages them just to taste with their tongue or take a small bite and praises their attempts, however small. Children's attachments to the childminder and her assistant are strong and their behaviour is good.

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need to do better?

n The childminder knows where children are in their development and what they need to learn next. She, and her assistant, observe children as they play and take part in activities and build on the learning they see taking place. Their effective teaching skills support children to make good progress. n Children engage very well in activities, such as when using play dough. They show their developing imaginations at they talk about what they are making. The childminder's assistant uses dough alongside children. She introduces different mathematical concepts, including talking about how her rolled dough is of different lengths. The assistant encourages children to count as they use scissors to cut the dough into small pieces. n Parents speak positively about the childminder and her assistant. They say their children learn well and are very happy in their care. The childminder regularly shares information with parents to keep them updated about how their children

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need to do better?

are developing. She encourages parents to share information about the experiences children have at home. n Children are developing strong communication and language skills. They talk freely about their families and the experiences they have had at home. The childminder and her assistant listen to children and ask leading questions. This results in children using strong descriptive language as they recall their experiences in great detail. n Children's skills in using tools, such as scissors and crayons, are progressing

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need to do better?

28 June 2024 well. They hold crayons and chalks correctly as they make both large and small marks. Children's hand-eye coordination is good, as seen when drawing stripes on a picture of a zebra. These developing skills are essential for their future learning at nursery and school. n The childminder and her assistant reflect on their practice and look for ways to improve. They are aware of the garden being an important learning environment. The childminder is currently looking at developing more learning opportunities outside, for example, by adding a digging area for children to explore. n The childminder networks with other childminders and talks positively about how this helps her to reflect on her setting and hold professional discussions with others. She and her assistant complete mandatory training such as first aid as required. However, the childminder does not actively identify and use other professional development opportunities, for herself and her assistant, to inform

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need to do better?

their practice and raise the quality of teaching even higher.

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

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Setting details

Unique reference number 129163 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 10339255 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 12 Number of children on roll 7 Date of previous inspection 6 July 2018

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2007. She operates all year round, from 7am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, except for bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder works with an assistant who holds a level 3 qualification.

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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 and the childminder looked at the areas of the childminder's home that she uses with children and discussed how she plans her curriculum and operates her practice. n The inspector observed the childminder and her assistant joining in activities with children and discussed the learning that was taking place with them. n A sample of policies and procedures were looked at by the inspector. These included documents relating to the suitability of adults and to safeguarding and complaints. n The inspector took into account the views of parents and discussed the childminder's reflections on her practice with her.

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Inspection activities

28 June 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

28 June 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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