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

p.1

The provision is good

The childminder creates a warm and homely environment that supports children to settle well and feel at ease in her nurturing care. Children confidently explore a wealth of learning opportunities both indoors and in the vibrant, well-organised garden. The childminder considers children's interests well when planning activities that promote their learning. For example, she embraces children's natural curiosity about animals when focusing on their language development. Children identify pictures and models of different farm animals and mimic the sounds they make.

p.2

The provision is good

Children are sociable and confident, and they enjoy the company of adults and other children. They engage well and cooperate with one another during group activities. The childminder supports these behaviours by providing children with opportunities to practise these skills. Together, they attended various structured play sessions and social activities outside of the home.

p.2

The provision is good

The childminder supports children's behaviour well. She has a consistent approach to developing children's understanding of turn-taking, kind behaviour and good manners. The childminder provides children with clear boundaries. She offers praise and acknowledges when children make good choices. As a result, children are polite, follow instructions well and are beginning to navigate conflicts in their play.

p.2

need to do better?

n The childminder encourages children to develop a love of books. She creates exciting, interactive story sessions where children use soft toys to represent the characters. The childminder has a 'book of the week' strategy, where children explore stories in more detail. She provides activities that are centred around the story and supports children in gathering a deeper understanding of the characters and themes. n Mealtime routines are well organised. They are social events where children sit together with the childminder. Children demonstrate lovely manners and use cutlery with confidence. They have a good understanding of healthy eating, reminding one another to eat their sandwiches and fruit first. These skills prepare children well for the routines they will experience at school. n The childminder monitors children's progress closely. This allows her to develop a good understanding of children's individual learning needs. She uses this

p.2

need to do better?

knowledge to plan and adapt activities that promote the learning of all children. For example, in a shape-matching activity, the childminder focuses her teaching with some children on identifying colours. Other children are encouraged to discuss the features of shapes and their different sizes. Although the childminder shares her assessments with parents, she does not yet have precise strategies in

p.2

need to do better?

10 April 2025 place that encourage parents to further support children's development at home. n Children develop close bonds with one another and enjoy the time they spend together. They seek out their friends to engage them in play and cooperate well with one another during role-play activities. For example, children delight in playing peekaboo with one another through the windows of their playhouse. Older children enjoy helping their younger friends and encourage them to practise tasks such as fastening their shoes. n The childminder knows the children in her care well. She observes children during play and plans exciting activities based on their interests and early experiences. Recent observations identify that some children feel unsettled when exploring unusual textures during play. To help children feel more comfortable, the childminder provides them with a wealth of sensory activities. For example,

p.2

need to do better?

children compare the textures of sand and stones in a dinosaur activity and explore the wool and shredded paper used to create a farm habitat. n Parents speak positively about the childminder and the care she provides. They comment on her nurturing approach and the warm, homely environment she creates for children. Parents appreciate the wide range of exciting activities the childminder provides both in the home and when on trips out. They acknowledge how this supports children to settle well and look forward to attending. n The childminder evaluates her practice and strives to improve the care she offers for children and families. She seeks feedback from parents and other professionals and considers this in her planning. Accessing additional training opportunities will allow her to develop her skills and knowledge and enhance the quality of her teaching further.

p.3

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.

p.3

should:

n enhance current parent partnerships by providing ideas and strategies for parents to further promote children's development at home n embrace professional development opportunities to further enhance knowledge and skills and promote all areas of children's development to a consistently high standard.

p.3

Setting details

Unique reference number 2693403 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 10380533 Type of provision Childminder

p.4

Registers

Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register Day care type Childminder

p.4

inspection

Total number of places 5 Number of children on roll 6 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

p.4

Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2022 and lives in Welwyn Garden City. She operates all year round, from 7.30am until 6pm, Monday to Friday, except for bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder offers funded early education for children aged nine months to four years old.

p.4

Inspection activities

n The inspector considered the views of parents by reviewing feedback letters. n The inspector looked at a selection of relevant documents. n The inspector observed the interactions between the childminder and children during activities and observed the quality of teaching. n The inspector and childminder completed a joint observation of an activity to assess the impact of her teaching on children's learning. n The inspector and childminder discussed how the childminder organises her setting and plans the curriculum and experiences for children. n The inspector held discussions with the childminder about the monitoring of learning and development in the setting and tracked the progress of children.

p.4

Inspection activities

10 April 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.

p.4

Inspection activities

10 April 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.

p.5

Inspection activities

If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 1231, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk .

p.6

Inspection activities

You may reuse this information (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. To view this licence, visit www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/ , write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk

p.6

Inspection activities

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more information and updates: http://eepurl.com/iTrDn .

p.6

Inspection activities

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/ofsted

p.6