Childminder in Hertfordshire

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 21 November 2017 19 November 2013

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management Requires improvement Quality of teaching, learning and assessment Requires improvement Personal development, behaviour and welfare Requires improvement Outcomes for children Requires improvement

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

 The childminder has not gained written permission from parents prior to administering non-prescribed medication to children.  Assessment of children's learning is not concise or accurate. The childminder does not plan activities well enough to meet the learning needs of all the children. She does not provide suitable challenge across all areas of learning. Some children are not making the progress they are capable of.  The childminder does not consistently promote children's good health effectively. She does not always support all children's independence.  The childminder's self-evaluation is not strong enough to identify areas that need improving, particularly in relation to the evaluation of children's learning through planned activities.

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It has the following strengths

 The childminder provides a warm and welcoming environment. Children are happy and secure and confident to ask for help when needed.  The childminder provides a variety of resources that covers all areas of learning and enable children to engage in learning of their choosing.  In addition to the home environment, the childminder takes the children to the local library, woods and toddler groups that provide further opportunities for learning.

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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 written permission is obtained from parents prior to the administration of prescribed and non-prescribed medication 05/12/2017

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Due Date

 improve assessment procedures in order to accurately identify children's individual learning needs and stages of development and use this information to plan appropriate activities that offer challenge so children make good progress in their learning. 12/12/2017

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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

 develop children's understanding of the importance of eating well and how this contributes to their good health  build on children's growing independence and give them more opportunities to do things for themselves  use self-evaluation more effectively to identify and address all areas for improvement, including the evaluation of planned activities.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector observed activities in the childminder's home.  The inspector looked at samples of children's records and other documentation, including policies and procedures.  The inspector spoke to the childminder and children at appropriate times during the inspection.  The inspector took account of views from parents spoken to on the day and written feedback provided.

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management requires improvement

Safeguarding is effective. There is some inconsistency between practice and written policies, regarding both the health and medication procedures. This has led to un- prescribed medication being given without written permission. However, the childminder obtained verbal consent from parents, and the children were not at any risk of harm. Parents' and children's views form part of the evaluation process. However, the childminder does not evaluate her practice effectively. For example, she does not always evaluate the impact of activities on children's learning. The childminder is committed to her professional development and has successfully identified training to enhance her skills of working with children who have special educational needs and/or disabilities. The childminder works well in partnership with other professionals.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment requires improvement

The childminder does not have a thorough knowledge of what the children can do across all areas of learning. The weakness in assessment means that planned activities do not meet the differing abilities of all the children. The childminder does not consistently plan for the next steps in children's learning. Where children are falling behind in some areas, she does not support them well enough to catch up. The childminder uses some good methods of teaching. For example, she models play and asks questions that promote children's language skills. She encourages children to count and recognise numbers. The childminder works well with parents and shares some information about their children's learning.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare require improvement

The childminder cares for children in a safe environment. However, she does not consistently promote their good health. For example, she does not always help children to understand the importance of eating well and how this contributes to their good health. In addition, she does not always encourage children to do things for themselves. Children form good attachments with the childminder. She helps children to settle quickly into her home. The childminder builds on children's confidence and self-esteem. For example, she praises them for their achievements in their artwork. Children behave well. They share and take turns.

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Outcomes for children require improvement

Weaknesses in teaching mean that children are not making good enough progress. Nevertheless, children gain some of the basic skills to support their future learning. Children are developing their communication skills. Babies confidently make their needs known through babble and gestures. Some children count to 10 and use number names accurately.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 496880 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 1064166 Type of provision Childminder Day care type Childminder Registers Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register Age range of children 0 - 7 Total number of places 6 Number of children on roll 3

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Name of registered person

Date of previous inspection 19 November 2013

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Telephone number

The childminder registered in 2001. She lives in Hatfield, Hertfordshire. The childminder operates all year round, Monday to Friday from 7.30am until 6pm, with the exception of family holidays. The childminder has a childcare 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

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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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