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 are confident and happy, thoroughly enjoying their time with this experienced childminder. She invests time in getting to know children and in understanding how they each like to play and learn. This sensitive approach contributes to children settling well and feeling secure and comfortable. They reflect the childminder's positivity and respond to her encouragement to learn from simple daily tasks and activities. For example, children enjoy helping to wash paint pots, learning new vocabulary as they 'wring out the cloth' and 'squeeze the sponge'. Children concentrate on their activities. For instance, they work carefully to make sure they have covered leaves in paint before printing with them.

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The provision is good

Children respond to the childminder's consistent boundaries and reflect her calm, gentle approach. Their behaviour is good and they are beginning to understand and express their emotions. For example, they often stop their play and give the childminder a spontaneous hug. The childminder supports children in gaining a practical understanding of safety. For instance, they engage in role play that aids them in understanding road safety. Good daily practices, such as regular hand washing, support children in understanding healthy lifestyles. They have many opportunities to develop physical skills. For example, children develop control of their hand muscles as they practise fastening buttons.

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need to do better?

n The childminder's enjoyment of her work shows in her interactions with children and in her ongoing commitment to reviewing her practice and making improvements. She ensures that she keeps up to date with any changes, for example, through reading updates and meeting regularly with other childminders to exchange professional information. n The childminder uses her knowledge and experience to aid her in understanding what children are learning and how she can support them in taking the next steps. She offers children play opportunities that are linked to their interests and individual learning styles. The childminder reviews children's progress, noting any weaker areas and offering them further support when needed. This well- planned process helps to ensure that all children make good progress and are well prepared for the move to nursery or school. n The childminder makes good use of children's interests to help promote their

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need to do better?

development. For example, children interested in a particular book enjoy collecting and painting leaves and adding these to a large poster related to the book. They eagerly remember the story and repeat some of the refrains. n Children enjoy many opportunities that support the development of their imagination and creativity. For instance, they experiment with a paint brush to see the different effects they can make. They go on to paint their hands and

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need to do better?

9 September 2024 make handprint patterns. n The childminder supports the development of children's language and communication skills well. She narrates children's play and children copy this, eagerly explaining what they are doing. They use their good language skills to express their sense of humour and the subtleties of their play. For example, children hold up bricks with eyes painted on them and laugh as they state 'I can see you!'. n Children enjoy their play and the childminder generally encourages them to extend this. For example, children playing with a construction set enjoy the challenge of sorting the bricks according to colour. However, on occasion, the childminder answers questions for children and solves problems for them. Children's ability to think critically and find solutions to problems is not fully promoted. n The childminder builds secure, professional relationships with parents. She

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need to do better?

communicates well with them so that they know what their children have been doing. The childminder provides parents with information about activities and offers ideas so that they can build on their children's learning at home. n The childminder supports some aspects of children's understanding of the world. For example, children enjoy regular outings to local parks and playgroups, helping them to learn about the community they live in. However, the childminder provides limited opportunities for children to learn about other lifestyles and cultures that are outside their own experiences.

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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 the opportunities that support children in thinking further and developing their skills in solving problems n extend the opportunities that help to increase children's awareness of other cultures, communities and traditions.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 129575 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 10354951 Type of provision Childminder

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Registers

Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register Day care type Childminder

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inspection

Total number of places 6 Number of children on roll 6 Date of previous inspection 13 November 2018

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 1995 and lives in Hemel Hempstead. She operates during term time only, from 7am to 6pm, Monday to Thursday, except for bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder holds an appropriate qualification at level 3. She provides funded early education places 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 this provision. n The childminder showed the inspector the premises and discussed how they ensure these are safe and suitable. n The inspector observed activities and assessed the impact these have on children's learning. She talked with the childminder about how the early years provision is organised. n The childminder and inspector reviewed an activity together. n The inspector viewed relevant documentation, including the safeguarding procedures. n The inspector talked with children at appropriate times throughout the inspection. She also reviewed comments from parents and considered their views.

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Inspection activities

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

9 September 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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