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 Requires improvement

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The provision is good

The childminder works closely with her assistants to create exciting indoor and outdoor learning environments that children enjoy exploring. Children become absorbed in a vast array of sensory activities, such as water, ice, sand and dough. The childminder and assistants promote children's language, mathematical and physical development well around these experiences. Children's interests are at the heart of the childminder's practice. She embraces opportunities to develop children's knowledge based on their fascinations. For example, when children choose to explore the musical instruments, she swiftly organises a group song-time activity. Children are encouraged to practise their language skills and show off their physical abilities, joining in action songs.

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The provision is good

Children are confident and proud of their achievements and growing knowledge. The childminder seizes opportunities for children to recall previous exciting experiences. She understands how this promotes children's self-esteem and allows her to identify ways to further promote children's learning. For example, when children find a caterpillar in the garden, she encourages them to reflect on what they learned during a previous topic. Children create a habitat for their caterpillar, provide it with appropriate food and name it. They regularly check on 'Lucy' their caterpillar to make sure she is safe, and they proudly show her off to visitors.

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need to do better?

n Since her previous inspection, the childminder has worked hard to develop a robust curriculum that she and her assistants implement well throughout the day. The childminder places a sharp focus on preparing children well for their next stage of learning. She provides them with opportunities to develop and perfect skills that will enable them to settle well in their new environment. As a result, children demonstrate confidence in new situations and are learning how to manage tasks and care routines independently. n Children's safety is paramount. The childminder creates a safe environment that considers the needs and ages of all children present. She has developed robust processes to monitor and document accidents and the administration of medication. Children demonstrate increasing independence by helping themselves to fresh water, which is available throughout the day. They understand why this is essential in hot weather and, as such, are developing

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need to do better?

strategies to keep themselves safe. n The childminder and her assistants adapt their teaching during activities very well to support the differing needs of children. During an ice excavation activity, young children grasp chunky bottles of warm water to pour onto and melt the ice and release the plastic animals. Older children are encouraged to make more precise movements by filling pipettes with water and identifying letters and

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need to do better?

9 July 2025 numbers that emerge from the ice. On occasion, however, these exciting group activities are not always organised sufficiently to encourage all children to engage confidently. n The childminder is committed to enhancing her knowledge and skills and those of her assistants. She embraces opportunities to complete additional training and actively seeks out ways to evaluate the care she provides. The childminder forms close partnerships with other early years settings to share best practice. For example, a recent visit to an outdoor-based setting has enabled the childminder to reflect on and improve the experiences she provides for children in her own outdoor learning environment. n Children generally behave well and are aware of boundaries and expectations while in the childminders care. They are helpful towards one another, passing their friends drinks and working as a team to tidy away after play. On occasion,

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need to do better?

when young children display challenging behaviour, the childminder and her assistants are not consistent in the support they provide to promote children's understanding of appropriate behaviour. n Relationships with parents are strong and supportive. The childminder provides parents with regular verbal and written feedback. Essential assessments of children's progress are completed to a very high standard and provide parents with ideas on how to support children's development further at home. The childminder encourages parents to visit her setting for social events and celebrations. This provides them with a deeper insight into children's daily experiences and how these support their learning.

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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 develop consistent and age-appropriate strategies that further support young children's understanding of appropriate behaviours n enhance the organisation of group activities to further support the engagement of all children, specifically those who are less outgoing.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY477332 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 10391552 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 12 Number of children on roll 9 Date of previous inspection 23 January 2025

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2014, lives in Kings Langley, Hertfordshire, and works with assistants. She operates all year round from 7.15am to 5.30pm on Monday to Thursday, and from 7.15 to 4pm on Friday, except for bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder holds an appropriate qualification at level 3. She offers government funded places for all eligible children.

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Inspection activities

n The inspector considered the views of parents by reviewing feedback letters. n The inspector looked at a sample of relevant documents. n The inspector observed the interactions between the childminder, assistants and children during activities. n The inspector observed the quality of teaching to assess the impact on children's learning. n The inspector and 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

9 July 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

9 July 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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