Loader, Nicola Anne

Overall effectiveness Inadequate

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

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The provision is inadequate

Children's safety is not assured because the childminder has not informed Ofsted about significant events. Her systems for ensuring that all those living on the premises remain suitable, are poor. This undermines children's welfare. However, babies and children are very content in the childminder's care. They enjoy snuggling up with her to have a feed and to look at books. The childminder provides a range of suitable resources, making sure they are easily available. Babies and children confidently choose the toys that interest them. Babies thoroughly enjoy making rhythmic sounds as they bang small stacking hoops together and move their body to the sounds. Children delight in putting puzzles with pictures of people from around the world together.

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The provision is inadequate

Children settle easily for sleep, soothed by the childminder's kind and caring nature as she makes sure they are warm and comfortable when they rest. Babies initially watchful of unfamiliar people, are quickly reassured by the presence of the childminder and are soon smiling and making sounds. Babies wake up contented and ready for the next stage in their daily routine.

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The provision is inadequate

Children behave well. They are confident about routines, hanging up their coats and removing their shoes when they come into the home. Children show that they understand the importance of good hygiene when they wash their hands before eating lunch. Children are making progress in their learning with the childminder. They are all delighted with their achievements as they gain new skills.

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need to do better?

n The childminder's arrangements to make sure that all those living on the premises remain suitable are ineffective. She does not ensure that Ofsted is informed about significant events that may affect the suitability of those living on the premises. This means that Ofsted cannot complete the relevant suitability checks on household members, which compromises children's safety. n The childminder is aware of the prime areas of learning that form the basis of children's early education. She uses her knowledge effectively of how children learn through play to help them gain new skills. For example, she provides plenty of space with toys just out of reach and this encourages babies to move and attempt to crawl. n The childminder considers children's interest when selecting resources and planning activities. This helps to ensure children's eager participation. They have lots of fun using small plastic tongs to sort the dinosaurs by colour. Children

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need to do better?

show good hand control as they pick up each dinosaur and place it into a bowl of a corresponding colour. This helps to develop children's small-muscles skills for writing and allows them to show how well they can sort and match items by

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need to do better?

28 February 2023 colour. n The childminder supports children to develop their speaking and listen skills. She reminds children about some routine tasks and children respond well, showing that they listen and follow instructions. Furthermore, the childminder helps children to behave sensibly and responsibly as part of their growing independence in readiness for the next stage in their education. n The childminder looks at books with children, talking to them about the pictures and reading stories. This helps to build children's vocabulary. The childminder listens to children and encourages them to use new words. For example, a child describes one of the toys as 'escaping' when it topples from the pile they have built. n The childminder has strong relationships with parents and has cared for some of the older children from an early age. Parents praise her friendly and professional approach to caring for their children. Parents say the childminder communicates

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need to do better?

with them about their children's daily experiences. They also say that the childminder's care helps their children to make progress in their development. n The childminder has a long-standing partnership with the local nursery class and knows about some of the topics and activities planned for children. However, this partnership does not focus on individual children's specific learning needs, which leads to a lack of continuity in children's experiences. n The childminder keeps appropriate records to help her care for children. She completes refresher training and explains what she has learned and how she uses the new knowledge when caring for children.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are not effective.

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Safeguarding

The childminder has not taken effective steps to safeguard children. She has not informed Ofsted about significant events concerning household members. However, the childminder has improved her knowledge of safeguarding practice. She has completed relevant training and has policies and procedures for reference should she have concerns about children in her care. The childminder understands the possible signs of abuse and neglect that may indicate children are at risk of or suffering harm. She is aware of and can explain the steps to take to record and report concerns to her local safeguarding partners.

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Due date

28 February 2023 supply Ofsted with the necessary information so that the relevant checks can be completed 04/04/2023

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Due date

establish a system to ensure all persons in the household are suitable. 04/04/2023

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should:

n extend the two-way flow of information with other settings that children attend to enable a shared approach and knowledge to children's current learning.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 127894 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 10279193 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 8 Date of previous inspection 30 November 2017

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2000. She lives in Ware, Hertfordshire. The childminder operates her service all year around, from 7.30am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, except for bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder is in receipt of funding for early years education for two-, three- and four-year-old children.

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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 childminder and has taken that into account in their evaluation of the childminder. n The childminder and the inspector discussed how the early years provision and the curriculum are organised. n The inspector and the childminder observed children's play during a planned activity and evaluated the quality of education. n The inspector looked at written feedback from parents and took account of their views. n The inspector spoke to children and the childminder at appropriate times during the visit. n The inspector looked at required documentation.

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Inspection activities

28 February 2023 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

28 February 2023 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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