Childminder in Hertfordshire

Overall effectiveness Outstanding

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

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The provision is outstanding

The childminder provides an exemplary early years setting. Children make excellent progress across all areas of learning within a warm, inclusive and highly stimulating environment. The childminder delivers a curriculum that is ambitious and broad. Children consistently show high levels of engagement, curiosity, and a love for learning. They are encouraged to make predictions and explore the changes as they add water to soil during a planting activity. They follow instructions well and learn how to care for the seeds they have planted.

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The provision is outstanding

Children's learning is maximised through purposeful, sustained interactions. They are eager to participate and demonstrate impressive resilience when tackling challenges. The childminder models and encourages the use of mathematical language, such as 'half full', as children explore water play, using pipettes to fill pots. They learn to compare volume, count accurately, and confidently recognise shapes.

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The provision is outstanding

The childminder promotes a strong sense of belonging for children. Personalised books that feature children's activities and family photos are used to promote emotional security and pride. Children eagerly share these books, confidently talking about their experiences and families, showing they feel valued and emotionally secure. The childminder sets clear, consistent expectations and acts as an excellent role model. Children respond positively, displaying commendable behaviour.

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need to do better?

n Communication and language development is a key strength. The childminder expertly narrates children's play, extending vocabulary and reinforcing sentence structure. She skilfully reflects on children's actions, using descriptive language that supports their understanding. For example, when children are using scissors, the childminder uses these moments to teach children about the potential risks and how to manage them safely. Children are confident communicators, expressing themselves clearly, including when talking about their feelings. The childminder sensitively supports these emotional conversations, helping children articulate and resolve their emotions effectively. n Children display a strong sense of independence and responsibility. They confidently manage self-care routines, such as washing hands and hanging up their coats. The childminder embeds hygiene practices effectively, and children

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need to do better?

demonstrate secure understanding, explaining why hand washing is important. During snack, they pour their own drinks and help clean up afterwards, learning how to care for their environment and sort waste, such as plastic and food for composting or recycling. These opportunities foster children's independence and

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need to do better?

20 May 2025 environmental awareness exceptionally well. n The childminder has created a genuine love for reading among the children. She reads stories with animation and excitement, supporting positive engagement. Children benefit from access to a wide range of books and thoroughly enjoy trips to the library for rhyme-time sessions and borrow books from the local nursery to further enrich literacy learning. n Parent partnerships are excellent. Parents are kept well informed through termly reports that outline their children's progress in all areas of learning, and they are encouraged to input information about children's next steps. Additional information sheets provide home learning suggestions that extend children's learning beyond the setting. Parents speak highly of the childminder's communication, care, and the significant impact she has made on their child's development. n Cultural awareness is promoted exceptionally well. The childminder provides

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need to do better?

meaningful experiences that help children learn about people and communities beyond their own. Children grow their own beansprouts, and use these to cook traditional food, and visit local restaurants as part of learning about cultural events, such as Chinese New Year. The use of associated stories and literacy further deepens their understanding. n Preparation for school is a significant strength. The childminder collaborates closely with teachers to ensure seamless transitions for children. She arranges visits from teaching staff to help children form early relationships and organises visits to the school setting, where children become familiar with routines, such as where to hang their coats. Transition reports are carefully prepared and shared with new educators, creating continuity in care and learning. n The childminder demonstrates a strong commitment to continuous professional development, which has a significant impact on the quality of education she

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need to do better?

provides. She routinely updates her knowledge through recognised training providers which is clearly reflected in her high-quality curriculum delivery. Her teaching is sharply focused, enabling children to make excellent progress.

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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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Setting details

Unique reference number EY543648 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 10380563 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 11 Date of previous inspection 13 June 2019

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2017 and lives in Ware. She operates all year round from 7.30am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, except for bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder holds an appropriate qualification at level 3 and provides funded early education for all eligible children.

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Inspection activities

n The childminder and inspector completed a learning walk together of all areas of the setting and discussed the early years curriculum. n The inspector observed the quality of education being provided and assessed the impact that this was having on children's learning. n The inspector carried out a joint observation of an activity that the childminder carried out with the children. n The children communicated with the inspector during the inspection. The inspector took account of written views from parents. n The inspector looked at relevant documentation, such as, evidence of the suitability of the childminder and a selection of other records.

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Inspection activities

20 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

20 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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