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Early years · Childminder inspection (EIF)

Childminder in Hertfordshire

Inspected 28 Oct 2024 · published 20 Nov 2024 · URN 2681367

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Summary

What we read, and from where

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  • Inspection date verified

    28 Oct 2024

  • Inspectors verified

    Jill Hardaker

  • Behaviour and attitudes verified

    Good

  • Leadership and management verified

    Good

  • Overall effectiveness verified

    Good

  • Personal development verified

    Good

  • Quality of education verified

    Good

  • Name on report verified

    Childminder report

  • URN verified

    2681367

Page 1 of 6
Page 1 of the report

Deep dive

What this report says

In plain English

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Grade profile

Each judgement on its scale, weakest to strongest.

  • OverallGood
  • Behaviour and attitudesGood
  • Leadership and managementGood
  • Personal developmentGood
  • Quality of educationGood

79% of comparable inspections in the last three years were graded Good (17,905 inspections).

Tone of the report

How positive or critical the inspectors' language is, from the words they chose. No AI involved.

+76Very positivemore positive than 69% of reports of this type graded Good
OutstandingGoodRIInadequate

In line with other reports of this type graded Good.

Markers show where typical reports of each grade sit.

Praisestronghappyenjoyeffectivepositivelymake good progresssafeengaging
Criticismgapsnot yet

How the report reads, start to finish

Every paragraph in order, sized by length. Tap one to see it on the page.

FindingsSafeguardingWhat needs to improveAbout the inspection positive critical
  • Findings686w+74
  • Safeguarding20w+50
  • What needs to improve34w0

Strengths

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Concerns

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No strong criticism found.

Next steps

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What the report dwells on

Topics by how often they come up, coloured by how they are described. Open one for an example.

Anatomy of the report

How the report is built, against others of the same type and grade.

Pages
6
Words of findings
708
about usual (typical 764)
Reading level
Fairly hard
Flesch 57, typical 52
Average sentence
13 words
Next steps
2
typical 2
Hedged sentences
0%
“some”, “not always”, “most”…

Where the words go

Findings 57%Safeguarding 2%What needs to improve 3%About the inspection 38%

Full report text

Overall effectiveness Good

The quality of education Good Behaviour and attitudes Good Personal development Good Leadership and management Good Overall effectiveness at previous inspection Not applicable

p.1

The provision is good

Children demonstrate they feel happy and secure with the childminder. They are constantly busy as they move around her home, showing a strong sense of belonging. The childminder builds her curriculum around each child's learning needs. She is highly aware of children interests and provides activities and resources that excite children. This results in children engaging well in learning. For example, children who have an interest in vehicles spend time fixing train track pieces together. Their developing thinking skills are evident as they work out what will fit in the space that is available.

p.2

The provision is good

Children enjoy spending time in the garden, where they can be active and explore. The childminder gives children opportunities to continue their themed play outdoors. For example, they take the cars outside and spend time washing them. The childminder encourages children to do many things for themselves, such as to put on their shoes. Children delight in their achievements, often exclaiming, 'I am doing it myself.' Children are learning how to share and be kind to others. They have good manners, often thanking their peers for sharing with them. Children's behaviour is consistently good.

p.2

need to do better?

n The childminder gets to know children well when they start at her setting. She quickly identifies where each child is in their development and what they need to learn next. The childminder observes children as they play and builds on the learning she sees taking place. She tracks the progress children are making and puts extra strategies in place if she notices any gaps in their learning. Her effective teaching skills support children to make good progress. n The childminder provides many opportunities for children to develop their physical skills. Children enjoy music and movement. They move their bodies in different ways as they dance and stomp along to songs. At other times, children use their small muscles, such as to peel stickers off backing paper. They use cotton buds to paint, making small precise marks on paper. These opportunities help children to develop skills that support their future learning.

p.2

need to do better?

n Children are keen to spend time with each other, They move around activities together, showing their developing friendships. The childminder has a good understanding of children's families and cultural backgrounds. She learns words in other languages to support those children who speak more than one language. However, the childminder has not yet considered how she can help children to learn more about each other. For instance, what their differences are and what similarities they share. n Parents speak positively about the childminder. They say their children learn well and are happy in her care. The childminder shares information with parents, to

p.2

need to do better?

28 October 2024 keep them updated on how their children are developing. She encourages parents to share information on what experiences children have at home. n The childminder supports children's communication and language development well. She constantly talks to children about what they are doing, using strong descriptive words. Children chat together, often commenting on each other's pictures. For example, they discuss what Halloween stickers they are using, discussing colour and quantity. n The childminder has good procedures in place to help her to keep children safe. She regularly risk assesses her home and garden to make sure it is safe for children. She reminds children of the spaces they can play when outside and children respect these rules. The childminder encourages children to tidy away toys they have finished playing with. She talks to them about how accidents could happen when toys are left on the floor. This helps children to begin to

p.2

need to do better?

learn how they can keep themselves safe. n The childminder networks with other childminders and talks positively about how this helps her to reflect on her setting and hold professional discussion with others. She completes mandatory training, such as first aid, as required. However, the childminder does not actively identify and use other professional development opportunities, to inform her practice and raise the quality of teaching even higher.

p.3

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

p.3

Safeguarding

There is an open and positive culture around safeguarding that puts children's interests first.

p.3

should:

n provide more opportunities for children to learn about each other, considering their cultural backgrounds, differences and similarities n seek a wider range of continuous professional opportunities to develop skills and knowledge even further.

p.3

Setting details

Unique reference number 2681367 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 10363626 Type of provision Childminder

p.4

Registers

Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register Day care type Childminder

p.4

inspection

Total number of places 6 Number of children on roll 4 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

p.4

Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2022 and lives in Welwyn Garden City. She operates all year round from 7.30 am to 6.30pm, Monday to Friday, except for bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder holds a relevant qualification at level 3. She is in receipt of early years funding.

p.4

Inspection activities

n The inspector and the childminder looked at the areas of her home that she uses with children and discussed how she plans her curriculum and operates her practice. n The inspector observed the childminder joining in activities with children and discussed the learning that was taking place with her. n The inspector discussed the needs of individual children with the childminder and talked with her about the progress they are making. n A sample of policies and procedures was looked at by the inspector. These included documents relating to the suitability of household members and safeguarding and complaints. n The inspector took into account the views of parents and discussed the childminder's reflections of her practice with her.

p.4

Inspection activities

28 October 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.

p.4

Inspection activities

28 October 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.

p.5

Inspection activities

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p.6

Inspection activities

You may reuse this information (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. To view this licence, visit www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/ , write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk

p.6

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

p.6

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