Childminder EY426767

Overall effectiveness Outstanding

The quality of education Outstanding Behaviour and attitudes Outstanding Personal development Outstanding Leadership and management Outstanding Overall effectiveness at previous inspection Outstanding

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The provision is outstanding

The childminder and her staff have created a warm, nurturing, home-from-home environment where children get off to a flying start. The exceptionally dedicated and knowledgeable childminder develops meaningful relationships with each child. She and her staff know the children extremely well and use this information to enhance their learning and development. As a result, children are happy and confident and their behaviour is exemplary. They show kindness and care to each other, particularly the younger children.

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The provision is outstanding

The childminder and her staff are passionate about developing children's language skills. They use songs and stories to promote a love of books and language. Children listen carefully to stories about animals and ask thoughtful questions, which the childminder helps them to answer for themselves at the end of the story. Children recognise familiar authors and illustrators and can name other stories that are similar. Even the youngest children are engaged and attentive when listening to the story.

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The provision is outstanding

Children confidently discuss their emotions. They understand that their feelings are shown on their faces. They try to decide how the baby feels by looking at him closely, and settle on serious and happy. They sing songs to raise their self-esteem and, as a result, have the confidence to have a go at new activities independently and develop resilience to keep on trying.

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need to do better?

n The childminder has a highly ambitious curriculum that is designed to support children in preparation for school. For example, children competently tend to their self-care needs, and older children are taught how to pick up pencils to use a pincer grip, use cutlery and put on their own shoes. n The childminder is passionate about the development of language and skilfully supports children to become confident English speakers. Children who speak English as an additional language make rapid progress in gaining new vocabulary and using it effectively. n The childminder promotes a love of books and early reading skills by sharing books with the children. Children confidently share books with each other by 'reading' the pictures and telling the story to other children. n The childminder and her staff know the children extremely well. They collect information from the parents and carry out regular assessments, which they use

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need to do better?

to skilfully plan activities to ensure that the children make excellent progress. They use every opportunity to expertly support children's learning. For example, babies put counters into a vertical grid and are helped to understand the concepts of full and empty.

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need to do better?

8 August 2025 n Children's behaviour is exemplary because the childminder and her staff are excellent role models of respect and kindness to each other and the children. They speak warmly and gently to children and support children in learning to respect each other. For example, a child wants everyone to play with them but other children are engrossed in their own activities. The childminder gently explains that we ask children to play with us. The child asks and other children come to join him. n The childminder strives to ensure that children become highly confident in managing personal care needs from a young age. They set the table for lunch, placing the correct number of chairs around the table. They wash their own hands, using a step to reach the sink. Children readily have a go at putting their shoes on and persevere to try and fasten them. n The childminder listens carefully to the children, valuing their opinions and giving

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need to do better?

them choices where possible. For example, the children vote whether to go to the woods or the playground. n Children have opportunities to explore and ask questions about the world around them. For example, a child asks why it is always dark in the woods. The childminder answers by explaining about sun and shade, adding to the child's vocabulary. n Nutrition and health are a priority for the childminder. All foods are home made and are wholesome and nutritious. Children have many opportunities to run and climb and develop their large-muscle skills. They also have opportunities to be calm and rest. n The childminder strives for continual improvement and has extended her premises and furthered her training since the last inspection.

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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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Setting details

Unique reference number EY426767 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 10398730 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 6 Date of previous inspection 6 November 2019

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2010 and lives in Stevenage. She operates her childminding provision from 8am to 5.30pm, Monday to Friday, all year round, except for bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder holds an appropriate qualification at level 5. She works with two assistants who hold appropriate level 3 qualifications. The childminder provides government funded early education for all eligible children.

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Inspection activities

n The childminder and inspector completed a learning walk together and discussed the childminder's intentions for children's learning. n The inspector observed the quality of teaching indoors and outdoors on a walk and in the playground. n The inspector and childminder carried out a joint observation and discussed the findings. n The inspector observed mealtimes and care routines. n The inspector looked at relevant documentation, including the suitability of all household members. n The inspector held several discussions with the childminder at appropriate times during the inspection. n The inspector interacted with children during the inspection. She took account of the views of parents.

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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

8 August 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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