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 well settled in the childminder's home. They demonstrate that they feel comfortable as they confidently tell the childminder what they would like to do next. Children behave well. They are kind to each other and invite their friends and the childminder to join in their play. When children struggle with sharing, the childminder calmly supports them and the children remind each other that they must share the toys. Children follow instructions the childminder provides. They help to tidy up and know where their toys belong.

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The provision is good

The childminder supports children to learn about the world around them. Children enjoy planting fruits and vegetables and learn about how they grow. At snack time children pick their own strawberries, remembering to only pick the red ones as the green ones are still growing. The children are confident as they cut their own fruit and show off their skills to visitors. The childminder promotes children's independence skills well. Children are encouraged to attempt skills such as putting their shoes on by themselves. The childminder remains close by, motivating them and offering praise when they complete this. As a result of the praise they receive, children have high self-esteem.

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need to do better?

n The childminder follows children's lead during activities. She provides them with opportunities to explore creative activities that interest them. The childminder holds interesting discussions with the children as they engage in their chosen play. Children enjoy the wide range of play opportunities available to them, and they seek her out for support when they need it. The childminder does not however, consistently provide children with opportunities to think about solutions to problems or discover how to do things for themselves. n The childminder carefully monitors children's development, checking that they do not fall behind in their learning. She uses her own experience and documentation to make accurate assessments. The childminder observes children's development, identifying what they are learning, and uses this to plan what they need to learn next. n Parents are happy with the care the childminder provides. They find her

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need to do better?

communication effective and feel well informed about their children's progress. The childminder gathers information from parents about what children do when they are not with her. This feeds into her development tracking information. Parents are complimentary of the range of opportunities the childminder provides their children. n Babies thoroughly enjoy heuristic play. They explore treasure baskets, learning how to use their grip and developing their senses. The childminder talks confidently about differentiating activities which enables younger and older

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need to do better?

18 June 2025 children can play together. Activities are arranged at differing heights. This encourages younger children to stand and develop their core muscles. Children delight as they pull themselves up to see what is available to play with. n The childminder places a strong focus on books and stories. Children are developing a love of books. They excitedly choose books that interest them and take them to share with the childminder. The childminder reads with enthusiasm. This encourages children to join in with repeated phrases. The childminder creates resources to support storytelling. This enables children to use visual clues to sequence the story as the childminder reads it. n The childminder has developed links with other childminders. She regularly meets up with them, which helps develop children's social skills with other children. The childminder group support each other to keep updated with early

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need to do better?

years developments and share ideas. Where children share care between the childminders, learning and development is discussed. This provides consistency for children. n The childminder regularly completes training that is beneficial to her practice. Recent training has increased her understanding of how to support children's communication and language development from a young age. The childminder is a member of a childcare organisation. She reads professional publications and attends webinars and embeds them into practice. The childminder has a clear professional development plan in place.

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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 strengthen the already good quality teaching to allow children more time and opportunities to problem solve.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY348767 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 10392118 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 3 Date of previous inspection 5 August 2019

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2007 and lives in St Albans, Hertfordshire. She operates all year round from 7.30am to 5.30pm, Monday to Wednesday, except for bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder offers government funded early years education for eligible children.

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Inspection activities

n The childminder and the inspector had a discussion about how the curriculum is organised and what the childminder intends children to learn while in her care. n The childminder showed the inspector the premises and discussed how she ensures that they are safe and suitable. n The inspector observed the quality of education being provided, indoors and outdoors, and assessed the impact that this is having on the children's learning. n Parents shared their views of the setting with the inspector. n The childminder provided the inspector with a sample of key documentation on request.

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Inspection activities

18 June 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

18 June 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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