Childminder in Hertfordshire

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 20 April 2017 30 June 2014

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3

Effectiveness of the leadership and management Requires improvement Quality of teaching, learning and assessment Good 2

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3

Personal development, behaviour and welfare Requires improvement Outcomes for children Good 2

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This provision requires improvement. It is not yet good because:

 On occasions, the childminder leaves her assistant, who does not hold a valid first-aid qualification, in sole charge of the children.  The childminder has failed to notify Ofsted of additional premises where she provides care for children. She does not hold public liability insurance to cover all the premises where childcare is provided.  The childminder’s programme of professional development is not yet sharply focused on driving the quality of teaching to the highest standard.

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It has the following strengths

 The childminder promotes children’s communication and language well. For example, she engages children in conversation and gives them time to respond to her questions.  Children show that they feel settled in the childminder’s care. They gain reassurance as needed and confidently make choices about where they wish to play. The childminder is responsive to children’s individual needs. For example, she changes her plans when she recognises children are tired and provides them with their comfort item and a cuddle.  The childminder uses a range of ways to support partnership working. For example, she makes time for regular discussions with parents, carers and key staff from the other settings children attend to share information about children’s progress. Parents are very happy with the care provided and say that the childminder promotes good family living and learning through play.

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What the setting needs to do to improve further

To meet the requirements of the early years foundation stage and the Childcare Register the provider must:

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Due Date

 ensure that at least one person who has a current paediatric first- aid certificate is on the premises and available at all times when children are present. This includes any assistant who might be in sole charge of children for any period of time 20/05/2017

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Due Date

 gain knowledge of changes that must be notified to Ofsted 20/05/2017  ensure that public liability insurance is in place to cover all premises where childcare is provided. 20/05/2017

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Due Date

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

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Due Date

 establish a more focused programme of professional development that helps to raise the quality of teaching to a higher level.

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Inspection activities

 The childminder observed the quality of teaching during activities indoors and assessed the impact this has on children's learning.  The inspector completed a joint evaluation of an activity with the childminder.  The inspector held a number of discussions with the childminder and her assistant. She looked at relevant documentation, including the childminder's policies and children's records.  The inspector took account of the views of parents through discussions on the day and written feedback provided.

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management requires improvement

The childminder does not meet all of the requirements of her registration. There are occasions when she leaves her assistant, who does not hold a valid first-aid qualification, in sole charge of children. The childminder has also failed to notify Ofsted that on some days she cares for children from different premises before and after school. She has not gained suitable insurance to cover all of the premises. That said, the assistant retains knowledge gained from previous first-aid courses and appropriately details how to respond to children in an emergency. In addition, the childminder completes risk assessments of all areas where childcare takes place to ensure that they are safe and suitable for use. Safeguarding is effective. The childminder has refreshed her knowledge of child protection issues and knows the procedures to follow if she has any concerns about a child in her care.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

The childminder knows the children well and uses effective methods of observation and assessment. She uses this information to plan children's next steps in learning. Children show curiosity during tasks as they explore a range of resources. For example, they use their finger and thumb to pick up dried peas and move them from one container to another, listening to the sound of each pea as it drops. The childminder chooses timely moments to increase the level of difficulty involved. Children enjoy decorating a shaker they have made and revel in the childminder's praise for their achievements. The childminder monitors the practice of her assistant. She also reflects on her own practice and sources some ways to develop their skills and knowledge. However, this does not sharply focus on raising their quality of teaching to the highest level.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare require improvement

The weaknesses in leadership and management have an impact on the judgement for children's welfare. Nonetheless, children behave well and benefit from regular experiences to develop their social skills and levels of confidence. For example, the childminder takes children on outings to the park and visits to local groups. She offers the choice of a home- cooked meal each day, in addition to fruit snacks. These are just some of the ways that the childminder supports children's healthy lifestyles.

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Outcomes for children are good

Children make good progress and are working comfortably within the range of development typical for their age. They are motivated to learn and concentrate for long periods of time during activities. Children develop good mathematical skills. For example, they learn to use language to describe quantity, such as more or less. Children gain the essential skills that they need to help prepare them in readiness for school.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 149574 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 1086950 Type of provision Childminder Day care type Childminder Registers Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register Age range of children 0 - 8 Total number of places 6 Number of children on roll 4

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Name of registered person

Date of previous inspection 30 June 2014

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Telephone number

The childminder was registered in 1995 and lives in Hitchin. She operates during term time only from 8am to 5pm, Monday to Friday, except for bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder is registered to work with an assistant.

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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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