Childminder 129707

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 have a close relationship with their childminder, who demonstrates warmth towards all children and has a caring and sensitive approach to supporting their development and well-being. This nurturing care supports all children to feel happy, settled and confident in this homely environment.

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The provision is good

The childminder works hard to create exciting learning experiences that support the interests and unique learning needs of all children who attend. She focuses her curriculum on supporting children's future learning, building on their current interests and abilities. For example, the childminder embraces children's emerging interest in stories by creating a cosy 'reading nook' where they cuddle up and explore various age-appropriate books and story props. Outdoors, children develop hand muscle strength manoeuvring vehicles through soil and hay and manipulating modelling dough to support their early writing skills.

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The provision is good

The childminder promotes children's social development well. Children enjoy exciting experience's outside of the home by attending group play sessions where they practise skills such as taking turns and playing cooperatively. This learning is transferred back into the home environment where children display kindness and warmth towards one another. The childminder encourages children to engage within their local community. Along with their childminder, they attend local festivals and fetes, where they gather a deeper insight into their unique environment.

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need to do better?

n Relationships with other professionals involved in children's development are strong. The childminder works closely with families and medical experts when identifying possible concerns around children's development. She follows advice and works with families to provide a collaborative approach to supporting children's development. The childminder liaises closely with other settings children may attend to ensure children feel safe, happy and settled in their various environments. n Parents speak positively about the childminder, the care she provides and the close bonds that she has with children. They comment on how the childminder goes out of her way to get to know children and families in order to provide precise care and support. For example, they discuss the great lengths the childminder goes to when supporting children to prepare for changes in their normal routines, such as medical visits. n The childminder establishes robust methods of monitoring children's progress.

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need to do better?

She shares her comprehensive findings with families and other professionals where appropriate. The childminder's consistent and collaborative approach

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need to do better?

13 August 2025 ensures any concerns regarding children's development are identified early, and strategies swiftly put in place. This supports all children to make good progress from their starting points. n Children are confident communicators who express their needs and ideas well. The childminder encourages this with the use of simple sign language where appropriate and engaging children in discussions around their current interests. For example, children demonstrate extensive knowledge and language around their favourite theme of farm animals and equipment. On occasion, however, the childminder does not seize on opportunities to extend children's language skills around other topics and their observations during play. n The childminder reflects diligently on all aspects of her provision, including her own knowledge and skills. She completes additional training to enhance her teaching and the support she offers children and families. Furthermore, the

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need to do better?

childminder shares her findings with her network of colleagues in order to support their knowledge and practice. n Children form wonderful close bonds with their nurturing childminder, who has a deep understanding of children, their early experiences and how this can impact their learning. She embraces this knowledge and uses it to plan her teaching around children's individual interests. For example, she promotes children's colour recognition around their fascination of farm animals and vehicles. n The childminder adapts her teaching well during activities to promote the individual learning needs of all children involved. For example, during water play, young children use nets to collect plastic sea creatures. Older children are encouraged to make more deliberate, coordinated movements by catching creatures using magnetic fishing rods, counting them and sorting them according to colour.

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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 further develop children's vocabulary by embracing opportunities to engage them in discussions around new topics and their interesting observations.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 129707 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 10398419 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 8 Date of previous inspection 21 October 2019

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 1993 and lives in Tring, Hertfordshire. She operates all year round from 8am to 6pm, Monday to Thursday, except for bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder holds a relevant qualification at level 3. She offers the 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 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

13 August 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

13 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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