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

Children are exceptionally confident and thrive in the childminder's care. They have formed very strong bonds with her, and this provides the security for children to become absorbed in their learning and play. The childminder promotes children's emotional well-being and kindness. They show concern for each other, explaining why some children cannot eat certain foods 'because it will make them poorly'.

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The provision is outstanding

The childminder has a deep understanding of how children learn. Her high-quality curriculum captures children's interests and growing skills and they become independent learners, showing high levels of curiosity. The childminder uses skilled questioning to motivate children to think for themselves, solve problems and encourage their natural inquisitiveness. She helps very young children to be successful, showing them how to use the door to climb into the ride-on toy.

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The provision is outstanding

The childminder has high expectations of children's behaviour. She helps children to understand about sharing and taking turns from an early age. All children move with confidence and skill around the setting, demonstrating their strong understanding of how to keep themselves safe. As a result, children develop resilience and a confidence in their abilities that encourages a positive attitude to learning.

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need to do better?

n Children are confident communicators. The childminder uses her expert teaching of communication and language to model and demonstrate to children how to say the sounds of letters and words correctly. She encourages eye contact so that children can see how she forms the words. This helps to close any gaps in children's speech development. n The childminder uses her knowledge and interactions to deliver a rich curriculum for children. She is responsive to children's play and watches carefully as they explore in their own way. The childminder revisits subjects to check children's understanding. She engages children in conversation and skilfully encourages them to think as they discuss how to tell when the tomatoes are ready to pick and eat. n Children thoroughly enjoy listening to well-read stories. The childminder recognises the importance of reading to children and that exposure to repeated reading of the same book helps young children to cement new information. They

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need to do better?

join in enthusiastically with the familiar refrains, clapping their hands in anticipation when the wolf cannot get into the little pig's house. n Children thoroughly enjoy playing outside each day, in the garden or at the local park. They recall knowledge that they have learned and confidently explain how the birds 'use their beaks' get the seed to feed it to their babies. Children know

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need to do better?

12 August 2024 they have to protect themselves when it is sunny weather. They competently apply suncream and put on their hats. Children squeal with delight as they run under the water spray to cool down. n The childminder expertly develops children's mathematical skills. Children count as they carefully stack pots on top of one another. When some numbers are missed the childminder gently steers children back to the beginning. She also weaves in colours and size as they talk about which one is bigger. n The childminder makes excellent use of any new knowledge gained from research or training. She makes sure her assistant is clear about their role and responsibilities. Together, they strive to continually develop their skills and knowledge so that children make the very best possible progress. n The childminder understands the importance of encouraging children to keep trying when they encounter difficulties, to help them be successful learners.

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need to do better?

Children make sustained progress, rapidly developing the key skills they need to be ready for the next stage in their learning. n Partnership working with parents is exceptional. The childminder ensures parents are always well informed about their children's learning and progress. She offers advice about practical issues and encourages parents to work with her to guide their child's learning at home.

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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 EY355988 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 10344394 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 10 Date of previous inspection 24 September 2018

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2007. She lives in Welwyn Garden City, Hertfordshire. The childminder operates all year round, from 8am to 5pm from Monday to Thursday, except for bank holidays and family holidays. She holds an appropriate qualification at level 3. The childminder works with an assistant. She provides funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children.

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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 setting. n The inspector observed activities, indoors and outdoors, and assessed the impact these have on children's learning. n The childminder spoke to the inspector about her curriculum and what she wants children to learn. n The inspector looked at written feedback from parents and took account of their views. n The inspector looked at relevant documentation, including the childminder's first- aid certificate and records of children's attendance.

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Inspection activities

12 August 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

12 August 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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