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 feel safe and secure with this calm and caring childminder. The childminder ensures that settling-in arrangements meet the individual needs of children and their family. She finds out what children like to do and follows their interests as soon as they start with her. Children settle quickly and form positive attachments with the childminder. They look to her for comfort and reassurance, and she responds to their needs. For instance, the childminder provides children with cuddles when they are tired and offers them the option to rest. The childminder ambitious curriculum motivates awe and wonder in children. They learn about different types of bugs, and distinguish the types of birds they hear, such as parakeets during nature walks. This inspires children to collect sticks and acorns to build their own bug hotel at home with the childminder. Clear plans are in place to extend and embed children's understanding of the natural world.

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The provision is good

The childminder skilfully adapts her teaching to meet the individual learning of children. This supports children's engagement in every activity. For instance, older children are encouraged to find numbers on beanbags and match them to the corresponding number on a board, while younger children focus on matching beanbags by colour. All children form friendships and benefit from being with mixed ages. The childminder helps children to understand feelings and emotions. She reads children stories and provides clear explanations why the characters may feel different emotions. The childminder empowers children to solve problems. She encourages them to experiment if the big or small sandcastle they create can be picked up using a trowel. Children discover through trial and error that they can successfully pick up the smaller sandcastle without it collapsing.

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need to do better?

n The childminder places a strong emphasis on embracing children's curiosity and supporting children to be in control of their own learning. She uses her frequent observations and assessments of children's development to inform a sequenced curriculum that precisely identifies what children need to learn next. This supports all children to make good progress. n The childminder has formed effective relationships with parents. She keeps them informed of children's achievements and experiences during daily discussions and shares photo's via a secure app. Parents comment that they regard the childminder as an extension of their own family and appreciate how the childminder embeds core values, such as kindness, empathy and respect. However, the childminder does not share ideas with parents about how they can extend their child's learning at home, to help them achieve their individual next steps in learning.

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need to do better?

n The childminder identifies pertinent moments to talk to children during their play

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need to do better?

18 September 2024 to enhance their knowledge. For example, as children play with toy animals, she explains how donkeys sometimes work on farms in other countries. The childminder frequently asks children questions, however, on occasions she does not provide children with time to process and respond to these before providing them with the answer. This does not fully support children to develop their thinking and practise their language skills. n The childminder regularly communicates with a network of local childminders. This enables her to share good practice and gain new ideas. She participates in webinars and reads professional publications to continue to build on her own knowledge. As a result of recent training the childminder has implemented books containing photos of children's experiences to help embed learning and inform future planning. n Children develop good physical skills and swiftly learn to assess their own risks.

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need to do better?

They climb the steps of a slide and safely negotiate how to get back down the steps. Visits to local parks help children to build strength and stamina as they use large apparatus. n The childminder promotes independence to help prepare children for starting school. Children put on and fasten their shoes before going outside and practice good hygiene, such as washing their hands after using the toilet and before meals. n Children benefit from many experiences that give them the opportunity to build on their social skills. The childminder regularly organises outings with other childminders and the children they care for. For example, they visit garden centres together, where they enjoy a snack and drink in the café. The childminder reports how she often receives compliments from the public about how well children sit when eating and the respect they show to everyone. The childminder actively promotes positive behaviour. Children share resources and

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need to do better?

work together to solve problems. The childminder's frequent praise for children's kindness results in a calm and harmonious learning environment.

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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 existing strong partnerships with parents to fully support children's individual learning at home n allow children time to think and respond to questions to fully support their thinking and language skills.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY265093 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 10355172 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 7 Date of previous inspection 20 November 2018

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2003 and lives in Stevenage. She operates from 7.30am until 5.30pm, Monday to Friday, all year round, except for bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder holds an appropriate childcare qualification at level 3. She provides funded early education for four-year-old children.

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Inspection activities

n This was the first routine inspection the 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 setting. n The inspector observed the quality of teaching during activities indoors and outdoors and assessed the impact this has on children's learning. n The inspector held a number of discussions with the childminder, and spoke to children at appropriate times during the inspection. n The childminder carried out a joint evaluation of an activity with the inspector, and they discussed their findings. n The childminder provided the inspector with a sample of key documentation on request. n The inspector took account of the views of parents through written feedback provided.

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Inspection activities

18 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

18 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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