Childminder in Hertfordshire

Overall effectiveness Requires improvement

The quality of education Requires improvement Behaviour and attitudes Requires improvement Personal development Requires improvement Leadership and management Requires improvement Overall effectiveness at previous inspection Not Met (with actions)

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The provision requires improvement

Children demonstrate they feel happy and secure with the childminder. They quickly settle in her home and develop secure attachments with her. Children enjoy spending time together. As a group, they build with construction toys and all children contribute their ideas to what they are making. Children are able to choose what they want to play with. However, the learning environment is at times disorganised and becomes cluttered. This reduces the potential for challenging learning and play. The childminder knows children well. However, she does not hold all the required information for all children. Despite this, she has telephone numbers for parents and so is able to contact them quickly in case of an emergency.

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The provision requires improvement

Children thoroughly enjoy being outside. They especially enjoy visits to the local park. Children remind each other of the rules, such as not opening the door, saying 'This is for an adult to do'. They have a good understanding of how to cross the road safely. Children are highly active at the park; they run, climb and swing with ease. Babies enjoy having the freedom to explore. They crawl around, often stopping to feel the grass. Children play together very well and their behaviour is good.

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need to do better?

n Since the last inspection the childminder has made some positive changes to the information and records she holds. She now has a detailed account of children's attendance and has implemented a new procedure for recording accidents. However, the childminder's written records showing how medication has been administered is not as secure. n The childminder offers care to some children just through school holidays. They sometimes start attending at short notice and settle well in her care. However, the childminder does not always ensure that she has all the required information for children before they start with her. This is a breach of the welfare requirements. n The childminder gains useful information from parents to find out what most children can already do when they start to attend. This helps her to have a suitable understanding of where children are in their development. Children make many choices about their play, and the childminder follows their interests.

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need to do better?

However, she does not always provide an effective learning environment to support children's ongoing learning and development. n The childminder builds warm relationships with children in her care. Babies sleep peacefully and wake up with a smile. They contentedly sit with the childminder until they are ready to go and play. Children often reach out to her for a cuddle or reassurance. The childminder encourages children to do things for

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need to do better?

10 August 2023 themselves. For example, when children feel unsure of climbing down the climbing frame, she offers them encouraging words and stands close by. This results in children succeeding and showing pride in their achievements. n Parents speak positively about the childminder. They say their children settle very well and are happy to attend. Parents value the information and advice they receive. They say children very much enjoy the time they get to spend outside at the park. n The childminder supports children to develop their communication and language skills. Children enjoy listening to stories and use pictures to make up stories for themselves. Babies are learning how to use their voices to communicate. They respond to the childminder and other children by babbling. Children freely voice their ideas and knowledge, showing high levels of confidence to talk and express themselves. n The childminder works with another childminder at additional premises. During

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need to do better?

school term times they operate an after-school provision. The childminder talks about how the environment and activities are planned, making sure the youngest children are kept safe and supported to learn. The childminder undertakes statutory training, such as covering first aid and safeguarding. However, she does not routinely identify and use other professional development opportunities to further extend her teaching skills and knowledge.

p.3

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

p.3

Safeguarding

The childminder understands her responsibility to keep children safe, and demonstrates good knowledge of child protection. She completes regular training to keep her safeguarding knowledge up to date. The childminder is able to recognise the signs that children may be at risk of harm or neglect. She knows how to share these concerns to help protect children's welfare. The childminder describes how to recognise the signs and symptoms of potential exposure to extremist views and behaviours. She has a clear safeguarding policy in place which she uses to underpin her practice.

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Due date

ensure that all required information about children is recorded and available at all times 31/08/2023

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Due date

strengthen the procedures for recording the administering of medicine. 31/08/2023

p.3

should:

n continue to develop the environments, resources and learning opportunities to provide more challenge and enjoyment to children's learning indoors n target training and professional development opportunities to strengthen teaching skills and knowledge.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY478188 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 10279281 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 13 Date of previous inspection 6 October 2022

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2014 and lives in Sawbridgeworth. She operates all year round, from 7.30am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, except for bank holidays and family holidays. During school term times the childminder operates her practice from 2pm to 6pm at St Mary's Parish Hall, Sawbridgeworth.

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Inspection activities

n The inspector discussed the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic with the childminder and has taken that into account in their evaluation of the setting. n The inspector and the childminder looked at the areas of her home that she uses with children and discussed how she plans her curriculum and operates her practice. n The inspector observed the childminder joining in activities with children and discussed the learning that was taking place with her. n A sample of policies and procedures was looked at by the inspector. These included documents relating to the suitability of household members, safeguarding and complaints. n The inspector took account of the views of parents and discussed the childminder's reflections of her practice with her.

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Inspection activities

10 August 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

10 August 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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