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 enjoy their time with the childminder. They benefit from the security of the strong relationships that the childminder works hard to develop and maintain. These very warm relationships help children to feel confident and secure. This helps to ensure children take part in the experiences that help them to learn and become more capable and competent. Children listen to the childminder and like to help plan their day. They offer suggestions about the activities they would like to do. The childminder has plenty of resources to help avoid squabbles over toys. She helps children to learn to take turns, talking to children about what they will do now and what they will do next.

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The provision is good

The childminder takes children out on trips. Children talk with enthusiasm about visits to a local farm and seeing cows being milked. These interesting visits help to expand children's understanding of the world around them and provide them with lots of new vocabulary. They learn about the environment, the weather and the needs of other creatures. Children use the language they learn and what they know about animal care in their imaginative play.

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The provision is good

The childminder helps children to follow good hygiene practices. For example, they wash their hands to make sure they are clean before they eat. The childminder provides children with healthy snacks and makes sure that they have plenty to drink. Children sit together to eat and the childminder encourages them to try different fresh fruits.

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need to do better?

n The childminder knows the children well. She knows what they can do and what she is helping them to achieve next. The childminder uses her knowledge of the early years curriculum and child development to make sure each child has the opportunity to learn through play that interests and excites them. The childminder provides a good balance of play that children can engage in easily and experiences that are more challenging and require children to think and problem-solve. n The childminder explains how she promotes children's communication and language development through conversation and questions. She provides children with lots of language so that they learn more words. The childminder encourages children to use their words as they play. She offers children lots of opportunities for being active and to learn to control their bodies. This includes using small tools to shape the dough to create interesting shapes. As they use

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need to do better?

the tools with determination children show that they are developing the strong hand muscles that they need in preparation for writing when they are in school. n The childminder describes how she promotes children's personal, social and

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need to do better?

4 September 2024 emotional development by modelling polite and kind behaviour. She is clear about boundaries for behaviour, giving explanations of what is expected and accepted. This helps children to learn to behave well, to take turns and share resources. However, children sometimes have difficulty in managing their feelings and emotions, finding it difficult to control their behaviour. The childminder reminds them about how to behave but she has not yet helped them effectively to learn to be able to express some feelings and emotions in a positive manner. n The childminder helps children to gain confidence with numbers. They delight in counting and matching games. Children are eager to have a go and show that they know the sequence of numbers from one to three and sometimes to five. The childminder is supportive and encouraging. This helps the young children to persevere. n The childminder makes the most of her links with other local childminders, not

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need to do better?

only to extend children's chances to learn but also her own. Through the group, the childminder keeps up to date with changes in practice, legislation and ideas. The childminder reviews her policies to make sure they reflect the service she provides and help her to provide a safe service for all children. n Parents express their confidence in the childminder. They appreciate her experience, patience and ability to make good relationships with children that help them to thrive. Parents have expressed their disappointment at the childminder's decision to retire but are understanding.

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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 find more ways to help children identify and express their feelings and emotions in a positive way.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 496880 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 10351862 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 3 Date of previous inspection 25 October 2018

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2001 and lives in Hatfield, Hertfordshire. She operates all year round from 9am to 5pm, Monday to Thursday, except for bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder holds a childcare qualification at level 3. She offers funded early education places for two-, three- and four-year-old children.

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Inspection activities

n The childminder and the inspector discussed how the early years provision and the curriculum are organised. n The inspector and the childminder observed children's play during a planned activity and evaluated the quality of education. n The inspector spoke to the childminder and the children at appropriate times throughout the inspection. n The childminder shared parents' views with the inspector and these were taken into consideration. n The inspector looked at relevant documentation and reviewed evidence of the suitability of adults living in the childminder's home.

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Inspection activities

4 September 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

4 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

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