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 provides a very calm and nurturing environment. She builds strong bonds with children by helping them to settle in securely. This helps children to be ready to learn. The childminder has a very holistic approach to play, care and learning, which benefits the children's development. She begins helping children to learn about emotions from a very early age. She encourages them to look at each other's faces when they are happy or sad. When children are curious and become excited to explore, the childminder shows them how to behave more calmly and be considerate of one another.

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The provision is good

The childminder's ethos of making use of the environment to develop children's physical and emotional skills is evident during discussions and in her everyday practice. For example, she places 'feely' boards at suitable heights on the wall. This encourages babies to reach up and pull themselves to standing to touch them. This helps to strengthen their large muscles. Babies use their hands and fingers to feel the different textures of each board. This helps to meet their natural exploratory impulses. The childminder thinks about their learning in a connected way and she understands the importance of identifying delays early to ensure children get the support they need.

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need to do better?

n The childminder knows the children well. She obtains a vast amount of information about the children when they start and continues working closely with parents all the way through their time with her. She uses this information to build skilfully on children's learning. The childminder has a good understanding of child development and how children learn. For example, she provides more structured opportunities as children get older. This helps them to make good progress and be ready for the next stage of their education. n The childminder provides a good range of activities for children's ages and she encourages them to concentrate. However, she does not always give babies and children opportunities to concentrate deeply and finish their exploration to their satisfaction. For example, when babies become engrossed in placing shapes in a shape sorter, the childminder does not always allow them to finish this activity.

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need to do better?

n The childminder has a good focus on developing children's communication and language skills. She talks to babies before lifting them. This helps them to understand what is happening next. The childminder includes them fully in the routine, intuitively looking and listening for their response, whether verbal or non-verbal. She sings, reads and talks to children, using a range of language that they can hear to develop their own. n Children use their imagination and express their creativity as they dance, sing and role play. Babies jiggle their bodies to music and attempt to copy the actions

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need to do better?

10 February 2025 to the words as the childminder sings to them. The children put dolls to bed and push them in pushchairs, re-enacting caring behaviours. n Children receive healthy, nutritious food the childminder makes. She cooks meals from scratch, adapting them to dietary requirements. The childminder encourages children to wash their hands and ensures surfaces, such as changing mats and tables, are cleaned hygienically. This helps to promote children's good health. n The childminder reflects on her own skills effectively to continuously develop her practice. She attends training and reads books from the library, then endeavours to implement her ideas. For example, when she understands the benefits of forest school methods, she researches a group to attend so the children can experience this programme with a qualified practitioner. n Parents are very happy with the care and education the childminder provides.

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need to do better?

They receive a good amount of communication about their child's learning, including a written summary for the progress check for children aged between two and three years. Parents value the rounded approach that the childminder uses to meet children's individual needs, reporting that their children have grown in confidence since attending.

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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.

p.3

should:

n give children further opportunities to engage even more deeply in their play and explore tasks to their satisfaction.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY542317 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 10367573 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 8 Date of previous inspection 13 February 2019

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2016 and lives in Hertford. She operates from 8am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, all year round, apart from bank holidays and family holidays.

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Inspection activities

n The childminder talked to the inspector about their curriculum and what they want the children to learn. n The inspector observed the quality of education being provided and assessed the impact that this was having on children's learning. n The childminder and the inspector carried out a joint observation of a planned activity. n The inspector read several parents' testimonials 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.

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Inspection activities

10 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

10 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

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