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 Not applicable

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The provision is good

Children are happy, confident and settled in the childminder's care. It is clear they have developed secure relationships with her and thoroughly enjoy their time in her nurturing care. They are eager to explore the enticing activities that reflect their individual interests. The childminder's curriculum provides a wide range of real-life experiences that successfully broadens children's understanding of the world around them and prioritises children's language development. For instance, children travel on a bus to the local library. The childminder speaks clearly and sensitively repeats words to support children's correct pronunciation. Children show a love of books. The childminder reads with great enthusiasm, immediately capturing children's attention. She models the direction of reading by running her finger from left to right under the words.

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The provision is good

The childminder actively supports children through important stages in their development, such as toilet training. She is highly responsive to their body language and gestures, helping them quickly gain confidence and independence with this skill. The childminder teaches children about their own and other's feelings to prepare them to regulate their own behaviour. Children show perseverance when solving problems. They use a wide variety of real-life objects, such as bracelets and lollipop sticks, to build a tower. The childminder naturally weaves mathematics into everyday activities. When children ask her to trace around their fingers and thumb on paper, she encourages them to compare the size of their hands with hers. She uses this opportunity to count together and introduce concepts, such as quantity and size.

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need to do better?

n The childminder is reflective about the provision she provides. She is dedicated to her continued professional development to improve outcomes for children. She has established strong relationships with other childminders, enabling her to share good practice and discuss early years updates. She attends weekly webinars and recognised training. As a result, she now has a deep understanding of how to identify any children who are not developing as expected and implement specific strategies to meet their individual needs. n The childminder knows the children she cares for very well. She implements a balance of adult-led and child-led activities to support children's good progress. The childminder takes good account of children's previous experiences and focuses on broadening these. Overall, this means that activities are relevant and meaningful to each child. At times, the childminder does not plan and adapt her

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need to do better?

teaching of adult-led activities to provide children with a strong level of challenge. For instance, following an outing to a farm the childminder does not encourage children to build on their existing knowledge of animals.

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need to do better?

28 July 2025 n The childminder supports children to develop good social skills and promotes positive behaviour. She provides children with sensitive reminders to use their good manners. Children eagerly follow the childminder's instructions to help tidy away what they have finished playing with before selecting other resources to explore. The childminder makes this fun and acknowledges children's achievements with ample praise. This helps to foster children's strong sense of self-esteem. The childminder regularly meets with other childminders and the children they care for. This helps to build on children's social skills as they learn to play in larger groups and make new friendships. n Partnerships with parents are a key strength. The childminder regularly seeks their views on the provision she provides and keeps them fully involved in their child's time in her care from the outset. She frequently shares photos and videos

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need to do better?

of children's achievements and provides ideas and guidance to aid children's learning at home, such as exciting activity packs. Parents hold the childminder in high regard. They appreciate the constant love, support and encouragement she provides for them and their children. Parents describe the childminder as 'professional' and 'an extension of their own family'. However, the childminder is not as successful in building partnerships with all settings or schools that children move on to. This does not support all children's continuity in learning and development. n Children are supported to develop a good understanding of a healthy lifestyle. They develop good strength and stamina during visits to soft-play centres and woodland walks where children carefully negotiate different terrain and assess risks. The childminder helps children develop new skills, such as learning to move their legs back and forth to make a swing move at the park. Children

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need to do better?

enjoy a balanced selection of nutritious foods. They show high levels of independence as they help to prepare these. Children understand how to safely use a child-safe knife and know the importance of cutting up fruit, such as grapes, to reduce the risk of choking.

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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 planning and implementation of adult-led activities to provide children with a good level of challenge and build on their existing knowledge n develop partnerships with all settings or schools that children move on to.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 2727758 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 10398260 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 5 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2023 and lives in Stevenage. She operates from 7.30am until 4.30pm, Monday to Thursday, all year round, except for bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder occasionally works with an assistant. She provides government funded early years education for all eligible children.

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Inspection activities

n The inspector observed the quality of teaching during activities indoors and outdoors and assessed the impact this has on children's learning. n The inspector held a number of discussions with the childminder and children at appropriate times during the inspection. n The childminder carried out a joint evaluation of an activity with the inspector, and they discussed their findings. n The childminder provided the inspector with a sample of key documentation on request. n The inspector took account of the views of parents through written feedback provided.

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Inspection activities

28 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

28 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

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

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