Childminder EY319511

Overall effectiveness Good

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

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The provision is good

The childminder builds strong bonds with children, helping them feel safe and secure. She understands that children need extra comfort when they return after the summer holidays. She knows each child's emotional needs and supports their well-being with care and sensitivity. Children play happily and confidently. The childminder plans her curriculum around regular outings in the community, such as trips to the local library, parks and farms. These outings give children new experiences and help them explore different places. As a result, children grow in confidence and learn to adapt to different social situations. The childminder chooses outings based on what interests the children and the skills they need to learn. Children remember their visit to the farm and enjoy talking about the animals they saw. When children say they want to visit the rabbits at the farm, the childminder listens and explains that they will go later that day.

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The provision is good

The childminder models good manners. She reminds children to say 'please' and 'thank you'. Children copy her and say things like 'your turn next'. She encourages them to listen and take part in tidying up. When children struggle to share, she talks to them calmly about being kind and taking turns. This helps them build strong social skills.

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need to do better?

n Since the last inspection, the childminder has worked with the local authority's early years adviser. This support has strengthened her understanding of safeguarding. She can clearly explain the steps she would take if she had concerns about a child in her care. She also understands the process for handling allegations. This helps keep children safe from harm. n Children make good progress in their communication and language development. The childminder consistently promotes speaking and listening through thoughtful interactions. She asks questions and gives children time to think and respond, supporting their confidence and language skills. For example, during imaginative play, she helps children recall experiences like when 'mummy pig at the farm had lots of babies', which supports memory and storytelling. n The childminder plans enjoyable and effective activities during outings. However, planning for activities at home is sometimes less detailed. Although she knows

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need to do better?

what children have learned and their next steps, some home activities lack clear purpose and may not fully engage children. This means children might not always make as much progress at home as they do during outings. n The childminder encourages children's creativity and self-expression through role play. Children enthusiastically dress up as the 'Big Bad Wolf', using props like gloves as paws and making related animal sounds. These experiences help develop vocabulary and expressive language.

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need to do better?

4 September 2025 n Children also show a strong understanding of the world around them through imaginative play. They create their own games and role play real-life situations, such as pretending to be service people. These activities support their understanding of community roles and the wider world. n The childminder encourages children to manage age-appropriate tasks for themselves, such as using knives safely to cut up fruit during snack time. These everyday routines promote independence and self-care skills. The childminder provides gentle guidance and encouragement, fostering children's confidence to try things on their own. n Children show a genuine love of reading and books. They independently select their favourite stories and sit together on the 'storytelling chair'. Children carefully turn the pages, showing respect for books and developing fine motor skills. They engage with pictures by pointing and discussing what they see,

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need to do better?

fostering a lifelong interest in stories and language. n The childminder maintains regular communication with parents through messaging and daily drop-off discussions. She shares photos and updates from the children's day, helping parents stay involved in their child's learning. Parents report that their children feel safe, happy and excited to attend. They also appreciate the healthy meals and snacks, including fruit and vegetables, and enjoy hearing about community trips. n The childminder engages in professional development by collaborating with other local childminders. This partnership enables her to share ideas, stay up to date and continuously enhance her knowledge and skills. Through these ongoing opportunities for learning and reflection, she ensures that her practice remains responsive to children's needs.

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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 of the curriculum when children are in the home environment to help them benefit from meaningful learning experiences.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY319511 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 10412375 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 2 Date of previous inspection 21 May 2025

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2006 and lives in Redbourn. She operates term time only from 9am to 4pm, Monday to Friday, except for bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder holds a relevant qualification at level 4. The childminder provides government-funded childcare for eligible children.

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Inspection activities

n The childminder and the inspector discussed how the childminder organises her early years provision, including the aims and rationale for her early years curriculum. n The childminder spoke to the inspector about the children's learning and development. n The inspector observed the quality of education being provided and assessed the impact that this is having on the children's learning. n Parents shared their written views of the setting with the inspector. n The childminder provided the inspector with a sample of key documentation on request.

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Inspection activities

4 September 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

4 September 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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