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

p.1

The provision is good

Children are settled and content. They enjoy their time with this welcoming childminder, chattering and laughing together as they play. Children quickly build secure relationships with the childminder, naturally involving her in their play and returning to her for reassurance whenever needed. Children reflect the childminder's enthusiastic, positive attitude and her high expectations for their learning. They become engrossed as they explore different textures of hay and dry cereal and are excited when they find hidden toy animals and printed pictures. They persevere as they check that they have collected all of the pictures of tractors, stating which one is the biggest.

p.2

The provision is good

The childminder supports children well in understanding and managing their behaviour. They show a mature approach to this, for example, as they share resources and willingly help one another to find shoes before going outside. Gentle, ongoing explanations from the childminder support children well in understanding how to keep themselves and others safe. For instance, children explain why they do not climb up the slide, and wait patiently for other children to slide down before taking their turn. Similarly, good daily practice and discussions aid children in understanding the relevance of healthy lifestyles, such as the importance of a balanced diet.

p.2

need to do better?

n Children make good progress and are well prepared for the move to school or nursery. The childminder uses her experience and her observations of children to monitor the progress they are making. She then plans further play experiences to aid children in taking the next logical steps in their learning. The childminder frequently reviews each child's development, offering appropriate support when needed to ensure that no child falls behind in their learning. n The childminder conscientiously reviews her practice and implements improvements. She completes further training and exchanges professional information with other childminders, helping her to keep up to date with any changes and develop her practice. For example, having completed training in promoting children's literacy skills, the childminder now offers them further creative opportunities to make marks and develop early writing skills. n The childminder speaks clearly with children. She offers them many

p.2

need to do better?

opportunities, such as singing, reading and playing simple card games, to learn new vocabulary and practise their communication skills. Older children confidently use their language skills. For example, they hold up toy animals and purposely state the wrong sounds, laughing when they see the childminder's reactions. n Easy access to a wide variety of books aids children in developing an enjoyment

p.2

need to do better?

28 April 2025 of reading. The childminder reads animatedly, capturing children's attention. They become engrossed and enjoy identifying the characters and determining their emotions. The childminder uses specific topics, such as celebrating festivals, to help children understand that books can be used to research facts and information. n Children develop a sense of belonging and gain a good knowledge of their community as they use local facilities, such as farms, playgroups and parks. Regular outings, for example, to a nearby aviation museum, support them in understanding national and international events and give them an insight into the lives and experiences of others. n Children enjoy many opportunities to develop their physical skills. For example, they develop their smaller hand muscles and hand-eye coordination as they use large tweezers to pick up pom-poms, carefully transferring these to bowls. They

p.2

need to do better?

develop balance and control as they use ride-on toys and climb the steps to the raised playhouse. n Children thoroughly enjoy participating in both spontaneous and planned play and these opportunities are usually of a very good quality. However, on occasion, the childminder does not make the best use of chances to extend children's play and learning to the very optimum. n Parents praise the childminder and highlight the wide variety of activities the children enjoy and the 'home-from-home environment'. They note that the childminder communicates well with them, enabling them to understand what their children have been learning and build on this at home.

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 the opportunities that support children in extending their play and learning to the optimum, for example, through helping them to build fully on their ideas and creative thinking.

p.3

Setting details

Unique reference number EY405218 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 10290502 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 12 Number of children on roll 12 Date of previous inspection 4 July 2019

p.4

Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2010 and lives in Royston. She operates all year round from 7am to 5.30pm, Monday to Thursday, except for bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder occasionally works with an assistant. She provides government funded early years education for all eligible children.

p.4

Inspection activities

n The childminder showed the inspector the premises and discussed how they ensure these are safe and suitable. n The inspector observed activities inside and outside and assessed the impact these have on children's learning. She talked with the childminder about how the early years provision is organised. n The childminder and inspector reviewed an activity together. n The childminder provided the inspector with a sample of key documentation on request. n The inspector talked with children at appropriate times throughout the inspection. She also looked at written comments from parents and considered their views.

p.4

Inspection activities

28 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

28 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