Albone Karen Elizabeth

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 23 February 2015 13 November 2008

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This inspection: Good 2

Previous inspection: Good 2 How well the early years provision meets the needs of the range of children who attend Good 2

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This inspection: Good 2

The contribution of the early years provision to the well-being of children Good 2

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This inspection: Good 2

The effectiveness of the leadership and management of the early years provision Good 2

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This inspection: Good 2

The setting meets legal requirements for early years settings

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This provision is good

 The childminder has a good knowledge and understanding of how children learn. She provides a quality play-based environment, with rich opportunities for children to freely investigate across the prime and specific areas of learning.  The childminder regularly assesses children's development and provides a good range of challenging experiences. This ensures she promotes each child's individual learning needs. Consequently, children make good progress in their learning.  Partnerships with parents are good and ensure children's individual needs are identified from the beginning and are mostly well supported throughout their time at the setting.  Children thrive in their health and physical development because the childminder attends activity groups and uses local parks to enable children to have regular exercise.  The childminder keeps children safe in an environment that is secure and stimulating.

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This provision is good

She demonstrates a good knowledge and understanding of safeguarding procedures and all other aspects of safety.

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It is not yet outstanding because:

 On occasions, the childminder does not always consistently support the needs of the youngest children. For example, at story times she sometimes allows older children to dominate the activity.

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What the setting needs to do to improve further

To further improve the quality of the early years provision the provider should:

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What the setting needs to do to improve further

 enhance the youngest children's already good personal, social and emotional development even more, by more effectively supporting their needs, such as by sharing their chosen books with them.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector observed the childminder engaging in activities with children and talked with her about children's learning.  The inspector viewed the areas of the premises and garden used for childminding.  The inspector looked at children's assessment records, planning documentation, evidence of the suitability of household members, and a range of other documents, including the safeguarding policy.  The inspector took account of information from parents as recorded in written documents.

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who attend. This is good

The childminder's playroom is attractive and welcoming to the children. They have access to a good range of toys that the childminder uses well. This helps to promote children's development across the seven areas of learning. The childminder effectively supports children's mathematical skills. For example, she provides a range of puzzles to help children understand about space and shape. Children demonstrate good recognition of written numerals as they accurately find a number four on a displayed poster. They tell the childminder, 'I will be four next'. Most children enjoy sharing stories with the childminder. They anticipate what will happen on the next page of the book and are very pleased when they are correct. The childminder organises regular outings to toddler groups, which allows children to socialise with other children of their age. Trips to the local farm enable children to develop a good understanding of the world. These effective

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who attend. This is good

activities ensure children are developing the skills they need in readiness for school.

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good

Children are happy and enjoy their time with the childminder. The security of routines, and the flexibility to choose where and with what they want to play, helps children to feel secure. The childminder warmly chats to the younger children as they play and through caring routines, such as at snack times. However, on occasion, the older children dominate the childminder's attention, such as when looking at books. Consequently, at times, the childminder does not always support the younger children's needs and choices. All important information about children's care is shared well between parents and the childminder. This aids the childminder in understanding each child's individual care needs. As a result, children demonstrate a strong attachment to the childminder and a positive sense of security in her home. The childminder meets children's individual dietary needs as she provides healthy snacks and meals. She teaches children to follow good hygiene

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good

practices as they wash their hands at appropriate times through the day.

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provision is good

The childminder has a secure knowledge of how to keep children safe. Risk assessments, undertaken and implemented for the home, garden and any outings off-site, mean that children are protected from potential hazards. The childminder regularly reflects on her practice and she seeks the views of parents through the use of questionnaires. The childminder sources appropriate professional development opportunities through attendance at courses and through childminder networking groups. This enables her to improve her already good knowledge and understanding so that she supports children to reach the highest levels of development. The childminder monitors children's progress through her effective assessments of their learning and she shares these with parents. Furthermore, she encourages parents to share information about what children learn at home. This ensures she effectively addresses any gaps in children's learning and

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provision is good

continuity in their learning and development is encouraged.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 149361 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 874959 Type of provision Childminder Registration category Childminder Age range of children 0 - 17 Total number of places 6 Number of children on roll 8

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Name of provider

Date of previous inspection 13 November 2008

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Telephone number

The childminder was registered in 1998 and lives in Letchworth. She operates all year round from 8am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, except for bank holidays and family holidays.

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Telephone number

This inspection was carried out by Ofsted 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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Telephone number

procedures set out in the guidance ‘Complaints procedure: raising concerns and making complaints about Ofsted’, which is available from Ofsted’s website: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ofsted. If you would like Ofsted to send you a copy of the guidance, please telephone 0300 123 4234, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk. 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 Support Service (Cafcass), schools, colleges, initial teacher training, work-based learning and skills training, 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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Telephone number

If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 4234, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk. You may copy all or parts of this document for non-commercial educational purposes, as long as you give details of the source and date of publication and do not alter the information in any way. To receive regular email alerts about new publications, including survey reports and school inspection reports, please visit our website and go to ‘Subscribe’.

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Telephone number

T: 0300 123 4234 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ofsted

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