Childminder EY401689

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

Children experience a wonderful time in the care of this exceptionally nurturing childminder. They benefit enormously from the incredible learning environment that the childminder has created. Children's language develops extremely well, with thoughtful conversations and activities planned with the greatest of care and attention to match their individual needs. The childminder gently encourages children to be observant of their surroundings, and they giggle as they try to catch the Moon in the sky with their stick, pretending it's a fishing rod. Children feel completely safe and secure, which gives them the confidence to investigate and explore.

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The provision is outstanding

The childminder is exceedingly kind and gentle in her interactions with children. As a result, their behaviour is exemplary. When children ask, the childminder calmly explains why children must sit still to eat, and children follow rules because they understand the reasons behind them and know they are there to keep them safe.

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The provision is outstanding

Children have many opportunities to explore the world around them, not only in the home environment but also in the enriching trips they take with the childminder. They visit local play groups, where their social skills are enhanced by mixing with different children. They go on nature walks and have weekly forest school sessions, which help to develop their understanding of the world and large motor skills.

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need to do better?

n The childminder has an extremely ambitious curriculum that fully supports children to become independent, resilient, social and confident. She has a deep understanding of child development and ensures that the environment and resources available strongly support children in developing these skills alongside new vocabulary. n Children remain highly focused, engaged and motivated during their time with the childminder. For example, children play with a cardboard box as a car and spend lots of time learning how to tear and cut tape to fix the car until they have mastered the skills and are able to join the gaps with the tape. n Parents speak incredibly highly of the childminder. They report that she is warm and caring and that their children have made great leaps in confidence, curiosity and independence. They like the varied and enriching activities on offer. They report that they are fully informed of their child's developmental progress and

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need to do better?

have ideas and support to continue learning at home. Reports on their child's care routines are sent daily. n The quality of teaching is superb. The childminder takes every opportunity to fit as much learning into a question, activity or general conversation that she can.

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need to do better?

16 September 2025 For example, in the mud kitchen children can explore how a cafetiere works. They learn to be careful with glass and explore how it feels. They learn how to push and pull the apparatus and the language associated with this. They learn they can change the liquid into foam and learn the word 'foamy'. They use their hand strength and small muscle skills to carefully scoop the foam into another pot and count the scoops as they do so. n The childminder is highly talented at building on what children already know and can do and developing those skills even further. She gently encourages children to remember what they did previously and to help them make connections with what they are doing now. For example, a previous experience of mixing water with raspberries and strawberries resulted in the water changing colour, which excited the children. She follows this up by designing an experiment creating

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need to do better?

colourful 'lava', which enthrals the children and helps to extend their learning further. n The childminder is proactive in her own professional development. She has recently attended courses that have given her a better understanding of how to keep children safe and given her further ideas for outdoor learning. n The childminder is part of a network of childminders in the local area. They meet regularly for children to play and socialise. They support each other and keep up to date with what is on offer in the local area and new initiatives.

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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 EY401689 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 10407478 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 1 Date of previous inspection 9 January 2020

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2009 and lives in Bushey, Watford. She operates all year round, from 7.15am to 5.30pm, Monday to Friday, except for bank holidays and family holidays. She holds an appropriate qualification at level 3.

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Inspection activities

n The inspector viewed the areas in the childminder's home used by the children, indoors and outdoors. n The inspector spoke with the childminder at appropriate times about her curriculum intentions and safeguarding. n The inspector observed the interactions between the childminder and the children and considered the impact on their learning. n The inspector completed an observation of the childminder and discussed her understanding of the impact of her interactions on the children's development. n The inspector checked a range of documentation, including certificates and the suitability checks of the childminder and those who live in the household. n The inspector reviewed emails from parents and took account of their views.

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Inspection activities

16 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

16 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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