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 Not applicable

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The provision is good

Children receive a warm welcome from the caring childminder as they arrive at her home. They show that they feel safe and secure as they eagerly explore the enticing activities and invite the inspector to join them in their play. The childminder knows children well and builds on what they already know and can do. For instance, when children have a secure understanding of counting and number recognition from one to three, she introduces more challenging activities. Children count the number of circles on a toy pizza and match the correct quantity to the corresponding number in each segment.

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The provision is good

The childminder has high expectations of children. They know to wait at the table until all their friends have finished eating. Children show a strong sense of responsibility and independence from a young age. They confidently manage their own outer clothing and replace these back where they belong when they come indoors. Children are inquisitive. They discover how toy cars travel at different speeds down drainpipes positioned at various angles. Children have a wonderful time using their senses to explore the texture of dried oats with their hands. They develop the small muscles in their hands as they scoop up the oats and place them in different sized containers. Children develop critical thinking skills as they experiment and solve problems. For example, they figure out that they need to sprinkle a large amount of oats over and around wooden shapes to successfully bury them.

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need to do better?

n The childminder uses children's interests and an overarching theme to implement a well-thought out and sequenced curriculum. She regularly observes children and plans for their next steps in learning and development. All children make good progress from their starting point. Her regular assessments of children's achievements swiftly identify and address any gaps in children's learning. However, during some planned adult-led activities, the childminder does not fully consider how she can adjust her teaching to precisely match the individual learning needs of every child. n The childminder places a strong focus on building children's communication and language skills. She expresses a genuine interest in what children have to say and time to respond to her questions. This encourages children to practice speaking, helping them express their thoughts and recall previous learning. For example, how and why they recently made a bird feeder. The childminder

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need to do better?

introduces children to new words and their meaning, such as 'opposite'. She consistently responds to children's early vocalisations. This helps them to learn the pattern of speech. n Children's behaviour is good and appropriate to their stage of development.

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need to do better?

5 February 2025 They are able to identify how they are feeling and how to express their emotions appropriately. Children show positive relationships towards others. They invite their friends to join them in the reading den and place their water bottles on the table in readiness for lunch. The childminder provides children with sensitive reminders of the boundaries in place, such as to remain seated on the sofa. This also helps children learn how to keep themselves safe. n Children develop good physical skills and have a clear awareness about the importance of a healthy lifestyle. They enjoy their time outdoors and develop control and balance as they stretch their legs to step onto stones of varying heights. Children grow in confidence as they gain an increased control kicking a ball. Regular visits to local parks enable children to negotiate large apparatus. Children are consistently supported to follow a good hygiene routine. The

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need to do better?

childminder increases children's knowledge of good oral health. n Partnerships with parents is generally good. Parents appreciate the photos they receive of their children participating in activities on an online platform. They comment that their children are excited to attend and describe the childminder as 'brilliant' and 'kind'. However, the childminder does not always keep parents informed of what their child is working on, or how they can further support their learning at home. n The childminder continues to build on her knowledge and skills. She reads professional publications and completes regular training. She communicates with a network of local childminders. This enables her to share good practice and gain new ideas. n The childminder provides children with a variety of enriching outings that enhance their knowledge of the wider world. For example, they visit an aviation museum, where they explore and compare different types of aircraft, including

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need to do better?

helicopters and historical aeroplanes. At wildlife parks, children learn about nocturnal mammals, such as bats, and observe them eating fruit.

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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 adapt the teaching of planned activities precisely to match the individual learning needs of all children n provide parents with more information about their children's progress and what they can do to extend children's learning at home.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 2697096 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 10372569 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 0 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2022 and lives in Royston. She operates from 8am until 6pm, Monday to Friday, all year round, except for bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder holds qualified teacher status. She 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 outdoors 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

5 February 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

5 February 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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