Childminder in Hertfordshire

Overall effectiveness Inadequate

The quality of education Inadequate Behaviour and attitudes Inadequate Personal development Inadequate Leadership and management Inadequate Overall effectiveness at previous inspection Good

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The provision is inadequate

There are breaches of requirements in relation to child protection and risk assessment that undermine children's safety and well-being. Furthermore, children are not provided with a curriculum that challenges and extends their learning and development. The childminder has a poor understanding of the different areas of learning, and the quality of her interactions with the children is poor. She does not provide children with well-planned and meaningful learning experiences, and frequently overlooks opportunities to build on what children already know and can do. Additionally, the childminder fails to organise the environment effectively. Resources are stacked haphazardly on top of each other throughout the areas used by the children. This significantly restricts the space available, and opportunities to enable children to independently develop their play and ideas.

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The provision is inadequate

Nevertheless, children demonstrate that they are settled in the childminder's care. Children learn to solve problems as they complete puzzles, and post shapes into shape sorters. They pretend to make cups of tea and use toy utensils to slice the toy food, which supports their developing hand-to-eye coordination skills. Children take part in colouring activities and learn to differentiate between the colours.

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need to do better?

n The childminder demonstrates a poor knowledge and understanding of child protection policies and procedures. This places children at risk of potential harm, despite the childminder having completed the required child protection training course. Additionally, the childminder has failed to implement her risk assessment procedures effectively. She states that the office is not used by minded children because of the range of accessible office equipment. However, a recent accident occurred to a child, having had access to the office. n The childminder has a weak knowledge of the learning and development requirements of the Statutory framework for the early years foundation stage. Children are not provided with a curriculum that challenges and extends their learning and development. Furthermore, the childminder has not used knowledge gained from a range of child development training courses to improve her practice.

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need to do better?

n The premises are not organised effectively to meet the needs of the children. The childminder does not ensure that children have sufficient floor space to play. Many resources are haphazardly piled on the floor, which significantly restricts children's opportunities to independently access them. This was raised as a recommendation for improvement at the last inspection. n The childminder has not established effective partnerships with other early years settings that children attend to further support continuity in their care and learning. This is despite being raised as a recommendation for improvement at

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need to do better?

7 January 2022 the last inspection. n The childminder does not consistently ensure that her daily record of the children's attendance includes the arrival times of the children. This compromises the effective management of the provision and does not ensure the childminder can account for the children in her care. n The childminder has adapted daily routines, in view of COVID-19 to ensure the good health of the children attending. Alternative drop-off and collection arrangements are now in place. Parents are currently not allowed inside the childminder's home, and the children are encouraged to regularly wash their hands. n The childminder obtains relevant information about the children at the start of the placement. This includes information about any special dietary requirements, preferences, food allergies, and any special health requirements. The childminder takes children to the local park for fresh air and exercise. She

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need to do better?

ensures the personal care needs of children are met appropriately.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are not effective.

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Safeguarding

The childminder does not have a clear understanding of her role and responsibilities to safeguard children. This compromises children's well-being in the event of a child protection concern. The childminder does not confidently understand how to respond to signs of possible abuse and neglect. This includes what action to take in the event of an allegation being made against herself or a member of her family. Additionally, the childminder's knowledge of radicalisation, and the impact this might have on children, is weak.

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Due date

ensure you are able to identify, understand and respond appropriately to the signs of possible abuse and neglect 28/01/2022

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Due date

ensure children are not exposed to risk of harm 14/01/2022

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Due date

7 January 2022 ensure consideration is given to the individual needs, interests, and development of each child, and that this information is used to plan meaningful and challenging learning experiences for all children 25/02/2022

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Due date

ensure safe and sufficient space is provided to enable all children to develop their play and ideas; this includes improving the organisation of resources 28/01/2022

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Due date

ensure a regular two-way flow of information with other providers and schools to enhance continuity in children's care and learning 28/01/2022

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Due date

ensure an accurate daily record of the names of the children being cared for on the premises, includes their hours of attendance. 14/01/2022

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Setting details

Unique reference number 149619 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 10218283 Type of provision Childminder

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Registers

Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register Day care type Childminder

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inspection

Total number of places 6 Number of children on roll 7 Date of previous inspection 11 September 2018

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 1995 and lives in Hitchin, Hertfordshire. She operates all year round from 7.30am to 5.30pm, Monday to Friday, except for bank holidays and family holidays.

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Inspection activities

n This was the first routine inspection the childminder received since the COVID- 19 pandemic began. The inspector discussed the impact of the pandemic with the provider and has taken that into account in their evaluation of the provider. n The childminder showed the inspector the areas of her home that children access. They discussed how the childminder organises her setting and plans the curriculum and experiences for children. n The inspector spoke to the childminder at appropriate times during the inspection. She observed children taking part in activities with the childminder, and assessed the impact on children's learning. n The childminder shared a sample of documents with the inspector. This included evidence of training and the suitability of those living on the premises. n The inspector took account of the views of parents. n We carried out this inspection as a result of a risk assessment, following

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Inspection activities

information we received about the provider.

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Inspection activities

7 January 2022 We carried out this inspection 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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Inspection activities

7 January 2022 regulates and inspects to 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 and Support Service (Cafcass), schools, colleges, initial teacher training, further education and skills, 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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Inspection activities

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Inspection activities

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Inspection activities

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Inspection activities

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