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 Outstanding

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The provision is outstanding

The childminder and her assistant instinctively follow children's cues as they play and explore. They encourage children to lead their own play, intervening only when they recognise children would benefit from their help, knowledge or support. Adults show children how to complete tasks once, and then children recall this the next time they want to do something. For instance, the childminder's assistant helps younger children to understand how the water pump works. They then demonstrate exceptional levels of focus as they explore this equipment for themselves, using it correctly to pump the water down the home-made waterfall trays in the garden repeatedly.

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The provision is outstanding

Communication and language is at the heart of the childminder's curriculum. She provides children with varied opportunities to build an extensive vocabulary. The childminder recognises that some younger children communicate through their behaviour, such as when they demonstrate that they are feeling frustrated. She helps children to manage their own behaviour as she swiftly implements appropriate strategies to help them to communicate more effectively. For instance, she introduces simple signs for children to communicate their needs. These signs are then used by all children and adults, providing a fully inclusive communication method that is accessible to everyone. As a result, all children communicate effectively from a young age and can regulate their own behaviour exceptionally well.

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need to do better?

n The childminder undertakes highly focused professional development opportunities to build on her already vast wealth of knowledge and experience. Support for assistants is highly purposeful. They receive a broad range of training to help them to support children in the areas they need most help with. This focused training is highly effective and enables the childminder and her assistants to complete their roles to the best of their abilities. n The childminder's expertly planned curriculum is implemented highly effectively. It is tailored to meet each child's individual interests and stages of development. As such, children develop a deep understanding of the subject matter they are learning about. They demonstrate exceptionally high levels of focus and attention for their ages and stages of development due to the carefully planned and highly engaging learning opportunities they receive. n The childminder provides frequent opportunities for children to build on what

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need to do better?

they know. For instance, children sing songs about birds, naming each wooden bird figure on the table as they take turns to sing the song. They demonstrate their knowledge confidently and the childminder builds on this further, helping children to make connections. For instance, she speaks about the seeds that

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need to do better?

17 July 2024 birds eat as children eat their own lunch. This consolidation and positive re- enforcement from the childminder ensures that children can confidently recall information and share what they know with others. n Children are highly independent, and even the youngest children work collaboratively with others. They all help to tidy up the resources together when they finish outside before lining up to go back inside. Older children independently get changed out of their wet clothes. Even when they encounter challenges with this, they persevere and remain calm thanks to the childminder's gentle support and encouragement. They then wash the paint off of themselves and get dressed in fresh clothes, eager to move on to the next part of their day. n The childminder and her assistants make the most of every moment during the day to build on children's learning. While lunch is being prepared, children enjoy

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need to do better?

a parachute activity indoors where they explore how fans make objects move. This carefully planned opportunity builds on children's interest of objects moving in the wind outside. The childminder is highly reflective and adapts activities to maximise children's learning. For example, she uses purpose-built equipment so that the children can see the effects of the fan even more clearly. This provides the childminder and assistants with highly focused opportunities to encourage children to explore, predict what will happen and explain what they see. This strengthens children's learning and understanding even further. n Parents and staff at other settings are highly complimentary about the childminder. Strong professional partnerships enable a two-way flow of communication, which benefits children's care and development exceptionally well. Strategies are shared and solutions are carefully discussed to help children

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need to do better?

transition to other settings smoothly. These are implemented swiftly, to minimise any disruption to children and ensure their well-being and learning are not affected.

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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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Setting details

Unique reference number EY535561 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 10344346 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 18 Number of children on roll 18 Date of previous inspection 10 September 2018

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2016 and lives in Bushey. She operates from 7.30am to 6pm, Monday to Thursday, term time only. The childminder provides funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children. She holds a childcare qualification at level 3.

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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 showed the inspector the premises and discussed how they ensure it is safe and suitable. n The childminder and the inspector discussed how the childminder organises their early years provision, including the aims and rationale for their curriculum. n The inspector observed the quality of education being provided, indoors and outdoors, and assessed the impact that this was having on children's learning. n The inspector reviewed written feedback from parents and other professionals. She took their views into consideration. n The childminder provided the inspector with a sample of key documentation on request.

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Inspection activities

17 July 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

17 July 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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