Childminder in Herefordshire

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 supports children effectively to be ready for the move from home to the setting. She invites children and parents to attend stay-and-play sessions to become familiar with the environment and build relationships with her and her family. Children are happy and settled. They clearly enjoy the time they spend in the childminder's care. Children display a strong sense of belonging and move freely around the homely environment to engage in their chosen play.

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The provision is good

Children are focused as they engage in imaginary play. They pretend to cook and feed the dolls. Children practise important social skills, such as sharing and taking turns, as they play cooperatively with their friends. The childminder provides them with real resources, such as nappies and wipes, to support their play. Children concentrate and develop self-care skills. They repeatedly wash and change the dolls' clothes and nappy. Children demonstrate an understanding of emotions. They cuddle the doll as they announce it is crying. The childminder supports children's communication and language skills effectively. She engages them in meaningful conversations as they play. The childminder asks them to recall their own personal care experiences and reminds them to be gentle with the dolls. She introduces new words to describe how the nappies fasten. Children listen and repeat what they learn, and they make links to their belongings as the childminder explains how their

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The provision is good

slippers fasten in a similar way. Children sleep peacefully in comfortable surroundings. The childminder regularly checks on them to ensure that they are safe and well.

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need to do better?

n The nurturing childminder demonstrates a secure knowledge of how children learn and develop. She knows children well and identifies where they are in their development. The childminder uses this information to plan a range of play activities around children's interests to support their learning. Children make good progress from their starting points. n The childminder has high expectations for children's behaviour. She gently reminds them of the rules and routines of the day. For example, children understand that they must remain seated when eating and that they rest or sleep after their lunch. The childminder is a good role model and supports children to wash their hands before mealtimes. However, she does not provide children with clear explanations about the importance of effective handwashing to help prevent the spread of germs and promote their good health. n The childminder attends mandatory training, such as paediatric first aid and

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need to do better?

safeguarding, to keep her knowledge and skills up to date. She meets regularly with other childminders to exchange ideas for good practice and discuss changes to legislation. Although the childminder is aware of her strengths and recognises

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need to do better?

15 January 2025 areas she would like to further develop, she has not yet identified specific training opportunities that focus on the areas she would like to improve to help raise the quality of her practice to the highest level. n The childminder provides children with nutritious meals and snacks throughout the day. Lunchtimes are a leisurely experience. Children sit with their friends at the table and make choices about the foods they eat. For example, they choose orange pasta and add the amount of cheese they want to their plate. Children keep themselves hydrated because they independently access their water bottles when they are thirsty. n The childminder supports children to understand simple mathematical concepts. For example, she encourages them to count the dolls and to compare their size. Children confidently count to five and identify the big and small dolls. n The childminder provides children with a wide range of experiences to be

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need to do better?

physically active and to learn about the world around them. She takes children out into the community each day. They go on nature walks, visit playgroups and sometimes have lunch at local cafes. This helps children to gain confidence in different social situation and build wider friendships. n The childminder has good relationships with parents. She talks to them at the start and end of the day and sends digital messages to keep them updated about their children's time at the setting. Parents' comments are very positive. They state that the childminder is caring and attentive. They value the support and guidance she offers them on child development.

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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 support children to have an even better understanding of the importance of effective handwashing to fully promote their good health n target professional development opportunities on identified areas for improvement to help raise the quality of practice to the highest level.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY101773 Local authority Herefordshire Inspection number 10372250 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 9 April 2019

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2001 and operates from her home in Canon Frome, Ledbury. The childminder operates all year round, from 8am to 7pm, Monday to Friday, except for bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder offers funded early education for children aged from nine months up to four years. The childminder provides overnight care.

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Inspection activities

n The childminder showed the inspector the premises and discussed how she ensures that they are safe and suitable. n The childminder spoke to the inspector about how they organise their provision and support children's learning and development. n The inspector observed the interactions between the childminder and the children. n Parents shared their views of the setting with the inspector. n The childminder provided the inspector with a sample of key documentation on request.

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Inspection activities

15 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

15 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

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