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

The childminder provides a safe and welcoming home. She follows a play-based ethos to help children learn through a range of fun activities that interest them. Children engage well during activities. The childminder praises them, which helps them to behave well. The childminder helps children's communication and language skills develop to a good level. She listens to children, valuing their attempts to speak and responding to them. For example, when babies grunt and point at other children, the childminder names the child. This helps babies and children to learn the process of conversations.

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The provision is good

The childminder provides opportunities for children to use their exploratory impulses. She hides toys and shells in sand for them to find. Children dig with spades and use their hands to find sea animal figures, excitedly announcing they have found a shark. The childminder encourages conversation about the shark, helping children to recall previous learning, including singing favourite songs. Babies explore the sand and shells with their hands. This helps their sensory development. The childminder has formed strong bonds with the children. Babies sit on her lap when they are tired, and older children actively seek her out to ask questions. This helps them to be confident and take risks to try new things when they are in her care.

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need to do better?

n The childminder has a child-centred focus to her professional role. She has met previous recommendations and refreshes mandatory training. The childminder links up with other childminders to share good practice. However, she does not always target professional development that focuses on, and progresses, her teaching skills. n The childminder provides a range of planned activities that interest children and sustain their concentration for long periods of time. However, she does not always carefully consider the detail within her planning to maximise children's learning, including extending children's thinking skills. n The childminder knows the children well. She obtains a range of information from their parents to help them settle in her care. She makes regular assessments about their development and identifies how she can build on what children already know and can do. This helps children to make good progress in

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need to do better?

their learning. n The childminder builds strong relationships with parents. They report they receive a good number of communications from the childminder and that they feel comfortable to raise any topic of discussion. The childminder gives them guidance that supports them to help their child's development, including managing emotions and toilet training.

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need to do better?

25 July 2024 n Children are learning what contributes to a healthy lifestyle. The childminder provides a range of fresh and nutritious home-cooked meals and snacks. Children follow the routine of handwashing, knowing they must use soap. The childminder ensures that outdoor and physical play are included every day to help build on children's good health. n Children are eager to join in activities, and the childminder provides resources that support children's interests. Children pretend to make cups of tea in the home corner and give them to the childminder and visitors. Children have further opportunities to explore real-life situations in their play as they care for dolls. They cuddle and feed the dolls and tuck them into bed. The childminder helps older children begin to understand that they need to learn to take turns with younger children. This helps children's emotional and social development. n The childminder understands the importance of children's physical development.

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need to do better?

She helps them to safely negotiate the steps of a slide before they confidently go down. Babies toddle after balls and use their whole bodies to kick, hold and throw them about the garden. n The childminder takes children on outings to help them receive a balance of broad experiences. For example, they visit the farm to learn about animals. They take walks in the woods to explore nature through feeling sticks and leaves. On rainy days, the childminder encourages children to explore puddles and learn about the natural world.

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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.

p.3

should:

n target professional development more sharply to further develop teaching skills n consider further detail when planning activities to maximise children's learning.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 129140 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 10344306 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 28 August 2018

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 1993 and lives in the Brookmans Park area of Hatfield. She operates from 8.30am until 5.30pm, Monday to Thursday, all year round, 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 their evaluation of the childminder. n The childminder talked to the inspector about their curriculum and what they want the children to learn. n The inspector talked to the childminder and children at appropriate times during the inspection and considered their views. 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 childminder and the inspector carried out a joint observation of an activity. n The inspector read testimonials provided by parents. n The inspector looked at relevant documentation and reviewed evidence of the suitability of household members. n Children talked with the inspector during the inspection.

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Inspection activities

25 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

25 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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