Mardle, Maureen

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 20 March 2015 21 April 2010

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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 quality of teaching is good. The childminder provides fun, high-quality learning experiences for children, both indoors and outside. As a result, children are highly motivated and eager to explore their surroundings.  Partnership working with other settings children attend is very good. The childminder regularly shares information with other key people. This ensures continuity in children's learning and development.  Children's sense of well-being and belonging is strong because the childminder forms secure emotional attachments with them. She works closely with parents to find out about children's starting points and care needs. This contributes to children feeling settled and secure.  The childminder takes account of the views of parents. Parents' written comments are positive about the care and activities the childminder provides and the positive impact this has on children's development.

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This provision is good

 The childminder demonstrates a strong understanding of how to protect and safeguard children. Through the implementation of good policies and procedures, she actively promotes children's safety and welfare.

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It is not yet outstanding because:

 There is a limited range of books available showing positive images of different people and communities.  The childminder does not always identify relevant training opportunities to complement and extend her good knowledge of child development further.

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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 children's understanding of people and communities even more, for example, by providing books showing positive images of other cultures  strengthen the already good knowledge of children's individual needs and development, for example, by identifying further training opportunities.

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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 the views of parents as recorded in written documents and the childminder's self-evaluation form.

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who attend. This is good

The childminder's quality of teaching is good. The childminder provides children with a stimulating, child-centred environment where they are able to flourish. For example, young children have many opportunities to explore sensory materials. They enjoy feeling wood shaving with their hands and dropping handfuls onto small figures and animals. The childminder supports their mathematical development as she counts how many handfuls it takes to cover a toy dinosaur. The childminder uses festivals and special celebrations to enable children to develop an understanding of the world. However, children do not have a broad range of resources, such as books, to see more positive images of other cultures. The childminder uses her good knowledge of the children and planned observations to inform her assessments and plan for children's next steps. Consequently, children are developing into competent learners and are making good progress in preparation for their

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good

The childminder provides a caring and nurturing environment, where children are happy and settled. Children are content to play and explore on their own. They are aware of when they need support and actively seek out the childminder to ask her for help. The childminder demonstrates she understands the stages of development of each child as she effectively challenges them in their learning. Children have continual access to stimulating experiences in the outdoor environment. The childminder provides opportunities for children to dig in the mud and to plant flowers and strawberries. Children develop their physical skills by using ride-on toys in the garden and accessing large play equipment in the local park. Children know they regularly need to wash their hands, such as before eating and after being in the garden. These good experiences support children well in developing the skills that they need to adopt a healthy lifestyle. Regular visits to toddler

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good

groups help children to develop good social skills as they play with other children of their own age.

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provision is good

The childminder is confident about child protection procedures, which safeguards children's welfare. She regularly reflects on her practice and also seeks the views of parents, which helps her to maintain the already good standards of care she provides for the children. The childminder uses knowledge gained from her level 3 qualification to provide good-quality care and teaching. However, she does not always make full use of further training opportunities to enhance her knowledge so that she can maximise her skills in supporting children's learning and development. She completes observations effectively and monitors her assessments of children. As a result, she identifies gaps in children's learning and ensures she effectively addresses them.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 158970 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 874986 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 21 April 2010

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Telephone number

The childminder was registered in 2001 and lives in Stevenage. She operates all year round from 7.30am until 5.30pm, Monday to Friday, except for bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder holds a relevant qualification at level 3.

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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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