Cox, Sarah Jane

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 enthusiastic to arrive and become deeply absorbed in exploring the wealth of learning experiences in this exciting environment. The childminder has a detailed understanding of individual children, their interests and early experiences. She uses this knowledge to inform her planning and has created an exceptional outdoor learning environment for children that can be accessed in all weathers. Children relish in developing strong physical skills exploring extensive climbing equipment. They practise more intricate movements and develop mathematical knowledge building structures with various construction materials and exploring water channelling equipment.

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The provision is good

Children have a close relationship with the enthusiastic and nurturing childminder and her assistants. They interact with children in a positive way, engaging them in conversations about their interests, families and the activities they enjoy at home. This creates links between the setting and children's home lives that support them to feel settled and secure in the childminder's care. As a result, children are friendly and confident in social situations. They chat to visitors and their friends and put into practice the kind and cooperative behaviour they develop during the regular group play sessions that they attend.

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need to do better?

n Children are independent and relish taking on age-appropriate responsibilities in the setting. Older children confidently complete hygiene and toileting routines with minimal support from adults. Young children feed themselves and independently select resources and equipment to play with. The childminder encourages this sense of responsibility by creating fun games out of everyday tasks. For example, children race one another to tidy away games after play. n The childminder encourages children to keep themselves and others safe. She regularly discusses potential risks in their play. Children respond well to this, highlighting certain activities that they should only take part in when the babies are asleep. They are particularly mindful of how to play safely in their exciting outdoor environment. Children learn to use climbing equipment appropriately and are aware of their surroundings when using swings.

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need to do better?

n Children are well prepared for their next stage of learning because the childminder provides them with the skills and tools that allow them to embrace these changes. Children are excited about new challenges because the childminder encourages them to embrace new experiences. If children are unsure about how to complete activities, the childminder supports them to have a go, developing their confidence and resilience. n Close monitoring of children's progress allows the childminder and her assistants to have a precise understanding of children's individual learning needs. These

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need to do better?

27 June 2025 next steps are generally supported well during play. For example, older children develop fine motor and mathematical skills using tweezers to sort plastic bears into pots. Their younger friends stack and sort colourful wooden blocks, delighting at the noise they make when they knock them over. This same understanding of effective teaching is not always observed when promoting children's language skills. On occasion, some children miss out on rich opportunities to develop new vocabulary and develop their communication skills further. n The childminder encourages children to develop their early literacy skills by providing a wealth of books to explore. She ensures that these stories are age- appropriate and reflect children's current interests and the activities they may choose to explore during the day. For example, during a colour sorting activity, babies explore textures and bright colours in sensory books. Older children can

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need to do better?

use magnifying glasses to hunt for coloured objects in more complex, interactive books. n Relationships with parents are strong and respectful. Parents comment on the close bonds children form with the childminder and her assistants and how this makes children feel at home in this nurturing and vibrant environment. They appreciate how the childminder strives to engage them in their children's learning by embracing new methods to communicate with families. n The childminder monitors the practice and well-being of assistants. She ensures they complete all essential training and take on appropriate roles of responsibility in the setting. As a result, assistants comment on how they feel well supported and valued. However, methods of ongoing coaching are not yet embedded in practice to allow assistants to explore ways to further improve their teaching skills.

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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.

p.3

should:

n embrace opportunities to enhance knowledge and skills, specifically around promoting children's communication and language development in the setting n enhance current processes used to support the ongoing practice of assistants, identifying ways for them to deliver consistently strong teaching.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY342917 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 10398449 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 18 Number of children on roll 20 Date of previous inspection 23 October 2019

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2006 and lives in Little Gaddesden. She works with two assistants. The childminder operates all year round from 7.30am to 5.30pm, Monday to Friday, except for bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder holds a relevant level 5 qualification. She provides the government-funded places for all eligible children.

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Inspection activities

n The inspector looked at a sample of relevant documents, including policies and procedures. n The inspector considered the views of parents by reviewing feedback letters. n The inspector observed the interactions between the childminder, assistants and the children during activities. n The inspector observed the quality of teaching to assess the impact on children's learning. n The inspector and the childminder completed a joint observation of an activity to assess the quality of teaching. n The inspector held discussions with the childminder about the monitoring of learning and development in the setting and tracked the progress of children.

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Inspection activities

27 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

27 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

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