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

All children arrive at the childminder's welcoming home with excitement and are eager to explore the rich range of resources and activities that reflect their interests. They welcome the freedom to choose if they would like to play indoors or outdoors. The childminder knows the children well and ensures that all children are valued as individuals. Children show secure relationships with the childminder. They snuggle up to her as they become tired and receive nurturing cuddles.

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The provision is good

The childminder offers a broad and ambitious curriculum for all children that introduces them to new experiences. They learn about new life and responsible farming practices as they bottle feed lambs during outings to farms. Children are curious and persevere to solve problems. They work out how to operate the water dispenser. Children discover how the consistency of soil changes as they add water. They use their imagination to bake food for the childminder in the mud kitchen using the wet soil. The childminder has high expectations of children. She consistently uses good manners when speaking with them, this motivates children to say please and thank you. The childminder encourages children to have respect for their environment. They eagerly help the childminder to tidy away what they have finished playing with. Children are independent and confidently manage their personal care. The childminder supports their awareness of their own needs, such

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The provision is good

as recognising when to remove a sweatshirt in warm weather.

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need to do better?

n The childminder skilfully implements a balance of child-led and adult-led play opportunities. These precisely focus on supporting children to achieve what they need to learn next through a well-sequenced curriculum. All children make good progress in their learning and development. Children welcome the childminder's sensitive interactions in their play. They show a keen interest in numbers. The childminder builds on this by extending their mathematical knowledge. For example, she shows them how the number six can resemble a nine when turned upside down. The childminder demonstrates a secure understanding of the skills children need for their future learning. Her regular observations and assessments help to swiftly identify and address any gaps in children's learning and development. n Partnerships with parents are a key strength. The childminder keeps them fully informed of children's achievements through daily discussions, regular meetings

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need to do better?

and sharing of photos of their child's development through an online platform. She also provides ideas to aid children's learning at home. Parents appreciate the proactive and collaborative approach towards their child's learning. However, the childminder does not seek information from other providers that children have previously attended. This means that she is not able to gain their views

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need to do better?

14 May 2025 about children's learning and development when they first begin attending to support their continuity in learning. n The childminder promotes children's awareness of a healthy lifestyle. She provides children with nutritious meals and snacks. Children respond with joy when the childminder serves familiar and well-loved meals, such as chilli con carne, creating a positive mealtime experience. The childminder helps children to learn about growth and where food comes from as they plant a selection of fruit and vegetables. Children are physically active and have ample access to daily fresh air. They develop good strength and stamina during frequent visits to soft play centres and local parks where they climb and manage large equipment. Visits to the local nature reserve enable children to assess risks under the close supervision of the childminder as they run freely, carefully negotiating various

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need to do better?

terrains. n Children's behaviour is good and appropriate to their stage of development. The childminder takes children to organised groups and regularly meets with other childminders and the children they care for. This helps children to build good social skills as they mix with larger groups. The childminder's interactions with children support them to understand the importance of sharing resources and taking turns. However, the childminder does not always make strong use of daily occurrences to help children think about how they and others are feeling. This does not help them to form the foundations to regulate their own emotions. n The childminder keeps her mandatory training, such as paediatric first aid and safeguarding courses, up to date. She is member of a childcare organisation where she reads professional publications to help support her continuous professional development. In addition, the childminder belongs to a network of

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need to do better?

local childminders. This enables her to share good practice and gain new ideas.

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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 establish partnerships with other providers where children have previously attended n make best use of situations that arise to help children to learn how to self- regulate their emotions.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY549537 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 10388797 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 4 Date of previous inspection 30 July 2019

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2017 and lives in Letchworth Garden City. She operates from 8am until 5pm, Monday to Thursday, all year round, except for bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder 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

14 May 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

14 May 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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