An Oxfordshire childminder has been slammed by Ofsted after she failed to provide “targeted support” for children.
Nicola Playford is from Bicester and has 10 children on roll who range from two to eight years old.
She had previously been rated as ‘outstanding’ by the government body during the last inspection on May 16, 2018, but now has been downgraded to ‘requires improvement’.
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The latest inspection on Monday, February 26 found several issues with Ms Playford’s childminding including an apparent lack of support.
“While children enjoy the activities on offer, the childminder does not place enough focus on supporting children to build on what they already know and can do,” read the report.
“At times, children lose interest and wander around or engage in conversation with the inspector.
“While they remain content to play on their own, the lack of targeted support does not help children gain new skills quickly enough.”
Another issue highlighted in the report was an apparent lack of planning by Ms Playford which had a direct impact upon the children in her care.
“The childminder does not have a secure enough understanding of how to plan and implement a sequenced and ambitious curriculum effectively,” Ofsted added.
“She creates a home-from-home, welcoming environment and wants children to be happy.
“However, she does not plan well enough for how she will support and extend children's learning.
“For example, on many occasions, the childminder leaves the learning environment to fetch more resources that are not relevant to the activity rather than supporting children and extending their learning further.”
Ofsted did acknowledge there are many positives of Ms Playford’s childminding techniques alongside the issues raised.
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The childminder was praised for her variety of activities provided as well as the precedent she sets for the children.
“The childminder acts as a suitable role model to children as she reminds children of her rules, and children behave according to their age and stage of development,” said the report.
“Children are provided with a range of different experiences in the local community.
“For example, they visit local parks and a range of interesting places, such as indoor soft play, the library and local museums.
“As a result, children develop an understanding of the world around them and the community in which they live.”
To meet the requirements of the early years foundation stage, Ofsted states that Ms Playford must make changes by Sunday, April 28.
“The provider must plan and deliver an effective, challenging curriculum that reflects the individual learning needs of all children,” read the report.
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