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

The childminder gets to know the children and their families over several years. Children are happy and settled in the childminder's welcoming home. They are confident and show good behaviour, demonstrating they are emotionally secure in the childminder's care. For example, they show affection to the childminder by spontaneously cuddling her. The childminder plans the curriculum to embed children's new learning. For example, she gives children the opportunity to feel and touch ice as it melts, then reads stories about the cold weather and how it forms ice. This allows children to link their learning in different ways that help them understand a range of concepts.

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The provision is good

The childminder's play-based, child-led approach helps children to remain engaged in learning. She intuitively builds on what children are already doing to extend their learning. Young children use fluffy white balls to throw to each other indoors. The childminder redirects this energetic play effectively to rolling the balls to each other instead. When children flip through notepads, the childminder offers them a pencil to write with. They make meaningful marks to show the childminder. The childminder offers children different equipment to use. Children squeeze paint in and out of pipettes. At lunchtime, they are all able to have a go at grating their own cheese, then use a knife to spread butter on their bread. This helps children to strengthen the coordination of their small finger muscles.

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need to do better?

n The childminder has thought carefully about the skills and knowledge she wants children to learn at various ages. She assesses their learning regularly, using guidance to benchmark their development. Her good knowledge of child development, coupled with accurate assessment of children's learning, means that she offers a range of experiences that help children to make good progress in their learning. The childminder identifies when children may need extra support and works closely with parents and professionals to support children to catch up with their peers. n The childminder engages parents in their children's learning effectively. She offers information about activities, directs them to useful websites and sends home story sacks for children to share with their parents. Parents record the exciting things they have talked about at home. This supports continuity of children's learning. n The childminder fosters children's physical development effectively. Children sing

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need to do better?

and dance, moving their bodies in space and copying actions. They have opportunities to visit the park and climbing equipment. n The childminder helps children to learn to be independent. When younger children use the potty, the childminder encourages them to dress themselves.

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need to do better?

9 January 2025 Older children use the toilet by themselves. Children wait patiently for their turn to wash their hands. They understand that they need to get the germs off before eating their food. This helps to develop children's understanding of personal hygiene. n The childminder has high expectations for children's behaviour in particular and models good manners to support children's social skills. Children copy saying, 'please' and 'thank you' during the day. The childminder remains calm when children become frustrated and explains why they need to be kind to others in a way they understand. This helps children learn socially acceptable behaviours. For instance, they offer toys to their friends. n Parents praise the care and education the childminder provides. They report that their children have become more independent since attending. The childminder provides detailed feedback to parents so they know about their child's day.

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need to do better?

n The childminder talks constantly to children. She introduces new words during play and is genuinely interested in the discussions she has with them. This helps children learn a range of speaking and listening skills. However, she sometimes does not allow children enough time to express their thinking fully. n The childminder keeps herself up to date with local knowledge and uses local childminder networks to support her own well-being. However, she does not carefully consider how to develop her teaching skills to help refine teaching to the very highest level.

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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 provide opportunities for children to express their thoughts and promote children's thinking skills further n enhance professional development to refine teaching skills to the very highest level.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY411764 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 10363926 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 5 Date of previous inspection 16 January 2019

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2010 and lives in Watford. She operates from 8.30am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, all year round, except for bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder holds a recognised childcare qualification at level 4. She provides funded early education for all eligible children.

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Inspection activities

n The childminder talked to the inspector about her curriculum and what she wants the children to learn. n The inspector observed the quality of education being provided indoors and assessed the impact that this has on the children's learning. n The childminder and the inspector carried out a joint observation of a planned activity. n The inspector read several comments from parents during the inspection and took account of their views. n The inspector looked at relevant documentation and reviewed evidence of the suitability of household members. n The children talked with the inspector during the inspection.

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Inspection activities

9 January 2025 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 January 2025 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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