Soriano Vilchez, Maria Del Carmen

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 show that they feel happy and safe with this caring childminder. The childminder offers to visit families in their home. This helps children to form positive attachments with her at an early stage and they settle quickly as soon as they begin attending. Children look to the childminder for comfort and reassurance, and she consistently responds to their needs. The childminder successfully adapts her practice to support children who experience changes in their lives. Children have a positive attitude to learning. This is because the childminder praises them for their achievements. Children smile with delight, and this motivates them to persevere to solve problems. For example, they work out how to rotate different shaped blocks so they fit into the corresponding holes. Children remain engaged in activities for a sustained period given their young age.

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The provision is good

The childminder offers a diverse variety of experiences that helps broaden children's understanding of the wider world and contributes to her ambitious curriculum. Children learn to deposit organic materials, such as fruit and vegetable peelings, in the compost bin in the childminder's garden. They observe how these decompose over time and eventually create compost, which they use to plant and nurture vegetables. Children develop the small muscles in their hands in readiness for writing. They carefully insert different-coloured toy pins into holes on a sturdy mosaic board and thoroughly enjoy making marks on paper with felt-tip pens. Children follow a good hygiene routine. They are independent and responsible individuals. Children eagerly respond to the childminder's encouragement to tidy away what they have finished playing with before choosing something else.

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need to do better?

n Children develop good physical skills and have a clear awareness about the importance of a healthy lifestyle. They help the childminder to prepare healthy and nutritious home-cooked meals, which they enjoy. This motivates children to try new foods, introducing them to a wider range of tastes. Children build strength and stamina during regular walks with the childminder and her dogs. They visit woodlands where they learn to negotiate different terrains and balance on fallen tree trunks. n The childminder uses her frequent observations of children's development and works in partnership with parents to find out what children know and can do when they first begin attending. However, the childminder does not make the best possible use of this information to precisely inform early planning. This does not support children to make the best possible progress from the outset. Despite this, the childminder has a secure knowledge of child development and

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need to do better?

implements a sequenced curriculum that ignites children's interest and engagement. She uses her ongoing assessments to swiftly identify and address

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need to do better?

17 January 2025 any gaps in children's learning. n Children's behaviour is good and appropriate to their stage of development. The childminder implements home rules in agreement with parents and children to support a consistent approach. She provides children with gentle reminders, such as not to walk around while holding a pen. This also increases their awareness of how to keep themselves and other's safe. n The childminder provides a commentary to her own and children's actions to help them to make connections and hear a wide range of vocabulary. She places a strong emphasis on supporting children to pronounce words accurately by sensitively repeating these back to children correctly. The childminder frequently asks children questions. However, on occasion, she does not give children enough time to process what is being asked to help them develop their critical thinking and express their thoughts and ideas.

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need to do better?

n The childminder develops strong relationships with parents. She keeps them well informed about their children's ongoing achievements during daily discussions and shares photos via a secure app. The childminder provides ideas on how parents can continue to support their children's learning at home. Parents speak highly of the childminder. They describe her as a 'very caring' and 'professional' person who cares for children as if they are her own. n The childminder places a high priority on continuing to develop her knowledge and skills. She regularly communicates with a network of local childminders. This enables her to share good practice and gain new ideas. She also completes regular webinars. As a result of recent training, the childminder has an increased understanding of how to teach children about environmental issues.

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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 make the most of initial information gathered from parents to inform planning from the outset n strengthen interactions with children to give them time to process and respond to questions.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY218629 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 10367775 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 17 Date of previous inspection 25 February 2019

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2002 and lives in Potters Bar. She operates from 7am until 6pm, Monday to Friday, all year round, except for bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder provides government funded early years education for all eligible children.

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Inspection activities

n The inspector observed the quality of teaching during activities indoors and assessed the impact this has on children's learning. n The inspector held a number of discussions with the childminder and 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

17 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

17 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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