Childminder in Hertfordshire

Overall effectiveness Inadequate

The quality of education Inadequate Behaviour and attitudes Inadequate Personal development Inadequate Leadership and management Inadequate Overall effectiveness at previous inspection Not applicable

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The provision is inadequate

Children's safety and welfare are not assured. The childminder does not provide reliable and honest information about new adults living in the premises or about her record-keeping. She does not provide Ofsted with the relevant information so that suitability checks can be completed. The childminder has a weak understanding of safeguarding issues, which does not protect children from harm. She does not have sufficient grasp of English to be able to summon help in an emergency and liaise effectively with other agencies. As a result of the serious concerns about the childminder's ongoing suitability and the risks identified, we suspended her registration.

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The provision is inadequate

The childminder is not aware of how to plan her curriculum for the ages of the children attending. Younger babies often sit and observe because the childminder does not engage them in activities to encourage their learning. For example, she shares books with children. However, these are not age-appropriate for all, and younger children are unable to join in. Children's learning is incidental. The childminder does not understand how to sequence children's learning and development.

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The provision is inadequate

The childminder does, however, have good relationships with all children. They separate from their main carers with ease and demonstrate happiness on seeing her.

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need to do better?

n The childminder does not maintain Ofsted's code of conduct. During the inspection, she provided false and misleading information about how long adults had been living on the premises. Despite knowing she needs to notify Ofsted of any new household members, she has failed to do so. This does not keep children safe from adults whose suitability has not been checked. n Documentation and record keeping are disorderly and poor. At times, the childminder's attendance records show that she has been caring for eight children under five years old. However, when questioned, she said these were her waiting lists, not her attendance records. Therefore, it is unclear how many children the childminder is caring for at any one time, and which children are present each day. Effective inspection and regulation rely on the integrity of providers. Without this, we cannot be assured that the childminder will act in the

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need to do better?

children's best interests. n The childminder does not have sufficient understanding and use of English to ensure the well-being of children in her care. This means she would be unable to liaise with other agencies in the event of a child protection concern and/or summon help in the event of an emergency. Due to the childminder's inability to

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need to do better?

10 September 2025 be able to communicate effectively in English, she is unable to fully prepare children for their move to school. n The childminder does not have a thorough understanding of all safeguarding issues, including the 'Prevent' duty guidance. This does not keep children safe from harm. n The childminder does not make sure that she can meet the needs of all children. At the time of the inspection, the childminder was caring for four children under five years old. To manage the toileting needs of older children, she restrains younger children in highchairs in the downstairs kitchen. This leaves them unsupervised and does not assure children's well-being and meet their individual needs. n The childminder does not have a clear routine, rules or boundaries for the children and, as a result, they do not always understand behaviour expectations. For example, children run in different directions when the childminder tries to

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need to do better?

bring them in from the garden. Furthermore, at times, children run in and out of the main room without the childminder noticing. They often hide under the large office desk that is placed in the front room and they do not always want to come out when the childminder tries to encourage them. This does not help prepare children for their future learning. n The childminder does not ensure that there is sufficient space for the number of children in her care. Due to the layout of the premises, children can only play in one space at a time. Once some children are asleep, there is not enough room for children to freely explore their surroundings. This does not help children engage in purposeful play and develop their learning further. n The childminder's knowledge of the learning and development requirements is poor. She does not understand her responsibility to plan a range of suitably challenging and enjoyable learning experiences. The childminder is unable to

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need to do better?

create activities which meet the developmental needs of children of all ages. For example, she narrowly focuses the children's curriculum on numbers and letters. She does not recognise that some children are not developmentally ready for this. This impacts on children's attitudes to learning. For instance, children quickly lose interest in their learning, and they become bored. n The childminder does not gather sufficient information from parents on what their children already know and can do. This means the childminder cannot plan adequate activities to support children's learning and development right from the start. n Children seek the childminder out for comfort when needed. The childminder builds on children's social development by attending a local playgroup. Through regular attendance, children have opportunities to build relationships with other adults and children.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are not effective.

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Safeguarding

There is not an open and positive culture around safeguarding that puts children's interests first.

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Due date

provide Ofsted with the necessary information to enable suitability checks to be completed for those aged 16 years or over living or working on the premises 01/10/2025

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Due date

develop knowledge and understanding of your statutory responsibilities, including the learning and development requirements 01/10/2025

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Due date

keep an accurate written record of children's daily hours of attendance 01/10/2025

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Due date

gain a secure knowledge of wider safeguarding issues, including the 'Prevent duty guidance for England and Wales 2015', in order that signs that a child may be at risk of harm are identified and reported swiftly 01/10/2025

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Due date

gain a sufficient understanding of English to keep children safe and meet their learning needs 01/10/2025

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Due date

maintain appropriate staff to child ratios so that all children's needs are consistently met 01/10/2025

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Due date

ensure that premises and space meets the needs of all children. 01/10/2025

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Due date

10 September 2025 plan suitably challenging activities which meet children's age and stage of development 31/10/2025

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Due date

observe children's learning effectively to develop a secure understanding of what children know and can do 31/10/2025

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Due date

make accurate assessments of each child's progress and regularly provide parents with updates and information on how they can support their children at home. 31/10/2025

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Setting details

Unique reference number 2732745 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 10420087 Type of provision Childminder

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Registers

Early Years Register, Compulsory 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. She lives in Hitchin, Hertfordshire. The childminder operates her service all year round, from 7.30am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, except for bank and family holidays. The childminder receives government funding for free early education.

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Inspection activities

n We carried out this inspection as a result of a risk assessment, following information we received about the provider. n The childminder spoke to the inspector at appropriate times during the inspection. n The inspector spoke to parents and took account of their views. n The childminder talked to the inspector about her curriculum and intentions for children's learning. n The inspector observed interactions between the childminder and children. n The inspector viewed the provision and observed the safety and suitability of the premises.

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Inspection activities

10 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

10 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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