Helm, Elaine

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 6 February 2015 28 June 2012

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This inspection: Good 2

Previous inspection: Satisfactory 3 How well the early years provision meets the needs of the range of children who attend Good 2

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This inspection: Good 2

The contribution of the early years provision to the well-being of children Good 2

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This inspection: Good 2

The effectiveness of the leadership and management of the early years provision Good 2

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This inspection: Good 2

The setting meets legal requirements for early years settings

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This provision is good

 Children are well prepared for their next stage of development, including school. This is because the childminder maximises opportunities to teach children valuable knowledge and skills.  The childminder has a positive rapport with children and her clear expectations and routines contribute to their good, responsive behaviour.  The childminder is very reflective and has a strong drive to improve.  The childminder has a strong understanding about how to safeguard children. Consequently, children are kept safe from harm.

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It is not yet outstanding because:

 Older children are not always effectively challenged to think about how and why things happen. This is because the childminder sometimes uses too many closed questions that require simple answers.  Partnerships with parents are generally good. However, not all parents are fully engaged in guiding children's learning at home because the childminder does not always give parents very clear information about their child's development and how to help them at home.

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What the setting needs to do to improve further

To further improve the quality of the early years provision the provider should:

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What the setting needs to do to improve further

 encourage older children to think about how and why things happen, for example, by asking more challenging questions  provide even more opportunities to help parents to guide children's learning at home, for example, by giving parents clearer information about their child's development

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Inspection activities

 The inspector checked evidence of the suitability and qualifications of the childminder and her assistant.  The inspector observed the childminder engage in a range of activities and care routines with the children.  The inspector held discussions with the childminder.  The inspector looked at a selection of policies and procedures.  The inspector conducted a joint observation with the childminder.

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who attend. This is good

The childminder offers an inviting learning environment in which children have the freedom to explore their curiosity. Children choose from a stimulating range of accessible resources. The childminder engages with children in their play, joining in sensitively so that she does not take over. Children's mathematical skills are well supported by the childminder, who introduces counting during play and daily routines. For example, children are guided to count the slices of banana that they cut for themselves. The childminder has a clear understanding about child development and she knows what to do if children show gaps in their learning. Young children make rapid progress because they are nurtured and challenged particularly well. However, the childminder sometimes misses opportunities to challenge older children through careful questioning. This means that children do not always extend their thinking to consider different possibilities.

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good

The childminder shares positive and nurturing relationships with children. Children show very good independence skills from an early age. This is because the childminder is skilled in offering a balance of support and challenge. As a result, children learn to persevere through a small degree of difficulty in order to celebrate their achievements. Children are highly engaged in their daily routines because the childminder teaches children new skills. The childminder talks with children during mealtimes and they learn about table etiquette and taking turns. Children make their own choices about which healthy snack they would like and they are involved in its preparation. Clear expectations about what to do and how to behave are consistently in place which contributes to children's motivation. For example, children are eager to take their shoes off in a cosy corner to listen to a story. The childminder effectively supports children's physical well-being through daily outdoor

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good

play and outings to the park and toddler group.

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provision is good

The childminder accurately evaluates her practice. She is clear about her priorities for improvement, which are informed by children and parents. The childminder works with her daughter, who is her assistant. She monitors the practice of her assistant effectively. The childminder has a strong focus on making the environment safe for children. Good procedures are in place, such as regular fire evacuation drills and both the childminder and assistant hold relevant first-aid certificates. The childminder attends additional training and is undertakes her own research into best practice. This means that children are taught in a reflective and continuously improving setting. The childminder has a good understanding of her responsibility to meet the requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage. The childminder shares children's learning records with parents online and she communicates with them verbally each day. However, children's learning is not

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provision is good

always continued at home. This is because the childminder does not always make it very clear to parents about their child's development and the significance of the early learning.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY440212 Local authority Lancashire Inspection number 1003463 Type of provision Childminder Registration category Childminder Age range of children 0 - 17 Total number of places 12 Number of children on roll 7

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Name of provider

Date of previous inspection 28 June 2012

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Telephone number

The childminder was registered in 2011. She lives in Ashton-on-Ribble, Preston. She works with an assistant who is her daughter. The provision operates all year round from 7.30am to 5.30pm, Monday to Friday, except bank holidays and family holidays.

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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

If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 4234, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk. You may copy all or parts of this document for non-commercial educational purposes, as long as you give details of the source and date of publication and do not alter the information in any way. To receive regular email alerts about new publications, including survey reports and school inspection reports, please visit our website and go to ‘Subscribe’.

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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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