Westmore Gillian

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 8 December 2016 18 December 2013

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This inspection: Good 2

Effectiveness of the leadership and management Good 2

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This inspection: Good 2

Quality of teaching, learning and assessment Good 2

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This inspection: Good 2

Personal development, behaviour and welfare Good 2

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This provision is good

 Children develop warm and caring relationships with the childminder and her assistants. Children freely give them cuddles and choose to sit close to them on the floor to play.  The childminder plans varied activities to support children's learning. She carefully tracks their achievements and progress. The childminder regularly shares this information with parents to help support their learning at home.  The childminder actively seeks and shares information with other settings that children attend, to help her to support and complement their learning effectively.  Parents value the welcoming, home-from-home environment. They appreciate the wide range of activities the childminder offers. For example, regular outings to soft play centres, playgroups and farm parks. Parents say how well children have settled.

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It is not yet outstanding because:

 The childminder does not gather enough initial information from parents on children's abilities to quickly and effectively support their learning as they first start at the setting.  The childminder's current approach to coaching her assistants is not yet fully effective in encouraging them to raise their practice to a higher level.

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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

 gather more information from parents about children's abilities when they first start at the setting in order to be able to more quickly and effectively support their learning  develop the coaching of assistants, encouraging and supporting them in improving their practice to improve the experiences for children.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector checked evidence of the childminder's training and suitability of all household members and her assistants.  The inspector viewed areas of the childminder's home that are used for childminding.  The inspector looked at children's assessment records and a range of other documents, including the childminder's safeguarding procedure.  The inspector observed and discussed the quality of teaching during activities indoors and outdoors and assessed the impact this has on children's learning.  The inspector spoke to the childminder and children when it was appropriate. She took account of comments in written feedback provided by parents.

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management is good

The childminder carefully minimises risks in her home and garden throughout the day. The childminder works with two assistants. The childminder and her assistants are aware of possible signs and symptoms of abuse and how to refer any concerns regarding children's welfare. The arrangements for safeguarding are effective. The childminder and her assistants share information and work collaboratively throughout the day. Supervision meetings take place but coaching is not yet fully effective. The childminder and one of the assistants discuss the impact of recent training. They have amended their expectations to reflect that often some children do not need to give eye contact to be actively listening. The childminder includes her assistants when she evaluates activities and the service she offers, in order to continually improve on practice. She seeks feedback from parents and values children's opinions.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

The childminder understands how to support learning for the different ages and stages of children in her care. For example, she invites older children to sit with her and share a book while younger children happily continue their play supported by the assistants. Children choose their own books and the childminder encourages children to look through them independently. She reads the books and asks questions about the pictures and words. They talk about which emotions are displayed on characters' faces and explore those feelings. Children and the childminder change the expressions on their faces to show a range of emotions. The childminder includes children equally, encouraging turn taking. They listen carefully and are keen to take part. She naturally introduces numbers and phonics while reading, for example, identifying the beginning sound in words.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are good

Children are happy and well behaved. The childminder supports children to develop their independence. For example, they wash their hands and feed themselves. Children are taught how to respect and care for the childminder's pets, including how to stroke the dog gently and to wash their hands afterwards. She allows sufficient time for them to put on their coats, supporting and encouraging where necessary. The childminder asks questions during lunchtime to help children consider healthy foods and why they are important. She has a wide range of toys and activities to support diversity. She understands how to teach the values of respect and tolerance.

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Outcomes for children are good

Children concentrate for long periods in their play, such as exploring the pretend food and role play equipment. They work out how to slide the toast up and down in the toaster. Children are making good progress over time. The childminder helps children to prepare for the move to school or the next stage in their learning. For example, they copy their name as the childminder supports their early writing skills. The childminder supports children who speak languages in addition to English. She gets key words from parents and has posters displaying words relating to children's interests.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY300078 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 1064688 Type of provision Childminder Day care type Childminder Registers Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register Age range of children 1 - 9 Total number of places 12 Number of children on roll 13

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Name of registered person

Date of previous inspection 18 December 2013

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Telephone number

The childminder was registered in 2005 and lives in London Colney. She operates Monday to Friday, from 7.30am until 5.30pm, all year round, except for bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder works with two assistants. The childminder and one of her assistants hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 3. The childminder provides funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children.

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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

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Telephone number

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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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