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

Children are happy and content during their time with this kind and caring childminder. They explore their surroundings with confidence and help the childminder to show the inspector around the premises. The childminder has high expectations for children, and this is seen through the carefully considered learning experiences that she provides for them. The childminder provides exciting and engaging activities that develop and extend their knowledge, such as planting flowers in the garden. Children remember what plants need to grow and that they start off as seeds.

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The provision is good

Children have excellent manners. The childminder has helped them to recognise the importance of saying 'please' and 'thank you'. Children listen well to the childminder and follow instructions, such as tidying away their toys and clearing the table ready for snack. Children manage their personal hygiene well and are becoming self-sufficient with skills such as putting on their shoes and coats. Children are developing excellent patience and turn-taking skills as they engage in a range of games. They cooperate and show a developing awareness of teamwork. They congratulate their friends when they are the winners of the game.

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need to do better?

n The childminder has considered the children who attend and has developed a curriculum that supports them to make good progress in their learning. This is strengthened by lots of repetition. The childminder plans tailored experiences that meet the individual needs and learning styles of the children who attend. n The childminder helps children to develop mathematical concepts through excellent teaching. Children show a secure understanding of numerals and quantity. They hear mathematical language during play, such as 'taller' and 'longer'. Children check their answers and are praised by the childminder for trying hard. They are encouraged to seek solutions and develop self-correction when they do not get the right answer. n The childminder acts as a co-researcher. She follows children's enquiries to deepen and broaden their knowledge. The childminder recognises the value in children's questions and how these strengthen and secure knowledge. Her

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need to do better?

inspirational teaching helps to ignite curiosity and thinking for children, which leads to their enhanced knowledge and skill. n The setting is very inclusive. The childminder gives lots of thought to how she involves all children in the teaching, including children who have allergies that want to take part in baking and cooking activities. n There is a commitment to developing communication and language. The childminder uses lots of rich vocabulary to extend children's word wealth. Storytelling is an adventure for children as they learn a range of new and

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need to do better?

21 May 2025 interesting words as well as facts and information. For instance, they learn that 'thin' can also mean 'narrow'. n Children are developing an awareness of what makes them unique. They recognise their different hair and eye colours and other features that are similar but not quite the same. The childminder uses stories and experiences to broaden and extend children's awareness of the world around them and the many different people they meet. This includes people who live and work locally in the community. n Parent partnerships are strong. Parents say they are happy with the care and education their children receive. They feel that communication is excellent, and the childminder keeps them fully up to date with the experiences children have and the progress they make. They feel assured that the childminder is kind and caring and that their children are safe and happy. n Generally, children behave well. Sometimes, children have minor disagreements.

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need to do better?

The childminder has helped children to develop an awareness of a range of feelings and emotions. However, these are not always applied during conflict to help children understand how their actions have an impact on the feelings of others. This restricts the opportunities children have to manage conflict by themselves and develop kindness and empathy for others. n The childminder recognises the importance of reflective practice and uses evaluation to identify any areas for development in her provision or practice. She attends training to develop her own knowledge, which she applies to her curriculum and teaching.

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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 support children to be able to recognise when their actions have an impact on others and use their knowledge of emotions to independently resolve conflicts that may arise.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 123712 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 10388367 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 9 Date of previous inspection 9 July 2019

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 1998. She operates all year round, from 8.15am to 5.15pm, Tuesday to Thursday, except for bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder provides funded early education for all eligible children.

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Inspection activities

n The inspector viewed the provision and discussed the safety and suitability of the premises. n The childminder talked to the inspector about her curriculum and what she wants the children to learn. n The inspector observed the interactions between the childminder and the children. n Parents shared their views of the setting, and the inspector took these into account. n The children talked to the inspector.

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Inspection activities

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

21 May 2025 21 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

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

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