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 demonstrate they feel settled and secure with the childminder. They have warm, nurturing relationships with her and often give her spontaneous cuddles. Children are friendly towards visitors and keen to involve them in their play. The childminder helps children to develop strong independence skills. They chop fruit for snack and make their own sandwiches for lunch. Children love to help and join in with tidying up when asked to. Children are pleased with their achievements and their behaviour is good.

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The provision is good

The childminder knows the children well and plans her curriculum around their learning needs. She knows what she wants children to learn and how to build on what they can already do. This helps children to make good progress in all areas of learning. Children's imaginations and creativity are developing well. They enjoy making models out of boxes and use paint to decorate them. Children use one object to represent another. For example, a peg board becomes a pizza base and the pegs act as different ingredients. Children use strong language to explain what each colour represents, such as saying a red peg is 'a juicy tomato'.

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need to do better?

n The childminder skilfully adapts her teaching to match children's interests and learning needs. For example, she recognises when children need to learn mathematics in a more visual way. When on walks, the childminder and children look for numbers outside. Children show their developing understanding of quantity, number and words as they successfully complete mathematical puzzles. n Children's communication and language skills are developing well. They hold in- depth conversations, using strong vocabulary. Children enjoy sharing books with the childminder. They join in with familiar stories, showing a deep understanding of how stories are structured and the sequence of events. n Partnerships with parents are strong. Parents value the childminder's experience and the support she gives them. They say their children develop secure attachments to her and thrive under her care. Parents speak highly of the

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need to do better?

progress their children are making and the ideas the childminder gives them to support their children at home. n Children have many opportunities to develop their physical skills, including both large and small muscles. They visit parks and go on walks in the local community. Children have lots of opportunity to use tools for a purpose, such as knives for chopping fruit, and they use scissors with skill and precision. These early skills provide a strong foundation for children to build on as they continue through their education. n The childminder supports children to be ready for the transition to their next early years setting. For example, she gives children many opportunities to do

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need to do better?

15 July 2024 things for themselves, such as using the bathroom. The childminder understands the importance of working in partnership with other settings. She has plans to regularly communicate with children's new key person when she shares care with them. However, information-sharing is not as strong when children leave her and move to new settings. In these situations, the childminder relies on parents to pass on development information. Consequently, the best possible continuity in learning is not always assured. n The childminder networks closely with other childminders. They actively support each other as they continually develop and improve the services they offer. The childminder undertakes many professional development opportunities. She talks positively about how this helps her to continually develop her knowledge and teaching skills. The childminder prepares herself well when she knows she will

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need to do better?

soon be caring for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities. She researches specific conditions and looks for the best ways to support these children.

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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 enhance partnership working with all other settings that children move on to, in order to promote even stronger continuity in learning.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY536457 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 10355027 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 4 Date of previous inspection 14 November 2018

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2016 and lives in Hertford. She operates all year round, from 7.30am to 6.30pm Monday to Thursday, 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, 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

15 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

15 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

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

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