Childminder in Hertfordshire

Overall effectiveness Requires improvement

The quality of education Requires improvement Behaviour and attitudes Requires improvement Personal development Requires improvement Leadership and management Requires improvement Overall effectiveness at previous inspection Good

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The provision requires improvement

The childminder and her staff continue to embed the planned curriculum. However, on occasions, they overlook opportunities to build on children's interests and progress their development. For example, when babies show an interest in a range of sensory resources, the childminder does not always support their curiosity or talk to them as they play. Therefore, the best use of learning opportunities is not always made at these times.

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The provision requires improvement

Nevertheless, children demonstrate that they feel safe and happy to attend. The childminder supports children to manage their emotions and form friendships with their peers. She shows older children how to safely use scissors to cut paper. Children copy snipping the edge of paper. They persevere, and older children learn to write the letters in their name. The childminder and her staff provide dough and a variety of materials for the children to explore and use their imagination. Children make pretend snowmen, demonstrating their physical and hand-eye coordination skills as they carefully place twigs on their snowman to represent arms.

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need to do better?

n The childminder demonstrates an enthusiastic approach to her childminding, including a willingness to make further improvements. However, the childminder and her staff do not always use every opportunity to motivate children's engagement in their play to build on what they know and can already do. n The organisation of routines, including the availability of resources in the childminder's living room, are not always effective. For example, babies are expected to sit in their highchairs for some time before they are served their lunch. Additionally, older children begin to wander around the room, and on occasions, their behaviour deteriorates. For example, children quarrel over a book, resulting in a page becoming torn. n The childminder demonstrates a sound understanding of children's dietary requirements, preferences and food allergies. Mealtimes are social occasions. Babies are spoon fed, and older children show appropriate table manners.

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need to do better?

However, on the day of the inspection, fresh drinking water was not consistently accessible to enable older children to have a drink if they were thirsty or offered to babies. n The childminder and her staff have completed paediatric first-aid training. The childminder gains written permission from parents to administer medication. However, she has not kept a written record each time medicine has been administered to a child. This is a legal requirement. n Children develop relationships with the childminder and her staff. Older children ask for help, and babies are comforted as they settle for their sleep. Children develop their sense of responsibility and independence. They help tidy away the

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need to do better?

23 January 2025 resources and learn to wash their hands after using the toilet and before meals. n The childminder broadens children's range of experiences by taking them on outings in the local community. For example, children learn about wild animals during visits to the farm and access books at the local library. Additionally, children have opportunities to be physically active on apparatus at the park and visit a local ski centre to observe artificial snow. n The childminder and her staff introduce language such as 'wibble, wobble' as babies make a wobbly snowman move, and share story books with the children. Additionally, children learn a range of rhymes and especially enjoy those with actions, such as the 'sleeping bunnies' rhyme. Their enjoyment is enhanced because they are provided with musical instruments, such as shakers.

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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.

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Due date

improve and embed the implementation of the curriculum, including interactions with the children, to ensure all children receive consistently meaningful learning experiences that build on what they already know and can do 28/03/2025

p.3

Due date

ensure fresh drinking water is accessible to children at all times 30/01/2025

p.3

Due date

ensure a written record of medication is kept each time it is administered to a child. 30/01/2025

p.3

should:

n review the organisation of routines and the accessibility of resources to better support children's individual needs and learning outcomes.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY477332 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 10381697 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 6 December 2019

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2014 and lives in Kings Langley, Hertfordshire, and works with assistants. She operates all year round, from 7am to 5.30pm, Monday to Friday, except for bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder holds an appropriate qualification at level 3. She offers funded places for childcare.

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Inspection activities

n The childminder showed the inspector the areas of her home that children access. They discussed how the childminder organises her setting and plans the curriculum and experiences for children. n The inspector observed children taking part in activities with the childminder and her assistant and assessed the impact on children's learning. n The childminder, her assistant and the children engaged in discussions with the inspector at appropriate times during the inspection. n The inspector looked at relevant documentation and reviewed evidence of the suitability of the childminder, household members and her assistants. n The inspector took account of the views of parents from written feedback provided at the inspection and by speaking to a parent.

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Inspection activities

23 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

23 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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