Mitchell, Kerry

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 1 April 2015 9 September 2009

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This inspection: Good 2

Previous inspection: Good 2 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

 The childminder makes the most of children's interests to promote learning through play. She is an effective teacher, using the opportunities to count and to introduce new words when children are really concentrating.  The childminder uses her secure understanding of child development, gained through completing a level 3 qualification, to provide appropriate and fun activities that children want to get involved in. This means they develop their active-learning skills and are often keen to try things for themselves.  The childminder is sensitive to children's needs. Her very caring approach makes children feel relaxed and happy. They have strong bonds that contribute to children's emotional well-being.  The childminder works well with parents to plan for children's ongoing care. They regularly share information and openly discuss any concerns.  The childminder provides a safe and secure environment for children. She uses

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This provision is good

opportunities in play and daily routines effectively to teach children about how to keep themselves safe.  The childminder is monitoring children's progress successfully. She knows the children's strengths and areas they need to work on. This enables her to prepare the assessment for the progress check between the age of two and three years.

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It is not yet outstanding because:

 The childminder sometimes has the television on in the background and this does not enhance children's experience and detracts from some aspects of communication and language development.  The childminder's lack of continuous professional development means she is not fully optimising her teaching skills.

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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

 enhance children's concentration, communication and language development by considering carefully the appropriate times for using the television  enhance teaching and learning through play further by regularly undertaking some continuous professional development and training.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector observed activities in the sitting room and reflected on children's learning with the childminder.  The inspector, childminder and children had conversations at appropriate times during the inspection.  The inspector looked at documentation related to the day-to-day organisation of the childminding service, including safeguarding, children's progress and self-evaluation.  The inspector took account of the views of parents in letters written for the inspection and from information provided by the childminder.  The inspector checked the evidence of the suitability and qualifications of childminder and the suitability of other household members aged over 16 years.

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who attend. This is good

The childminder enjoys teaching children. She makes good use of the opportunities to build on what children know and can do. She helps them to develop their matching skills by introducing colour recognition as they play. She is effective in building children's confidence and encouraging them to do things for themselves. For example, when they are dressing the dolls, the childminder talks to children about how to do up the buttons on the dress. She praises children and this helps them to persevere. Children love looking at books with the childminder and she encourages them to talk about the pictures. Children are developing their concentration and ability to focus on an activity. However, there is scope to enhance their experience by making sure there are no unnecessary distractions, such as an unwatched television programme playing in the background. The childminder uses her observation and assessment to decide on their next steps in learning. She keeps

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who attend. This is good

parents informed about children's progress and this supports further learning at home. Children are acquiring the skills they need and a positive attitude to learning, which prepares them for the next stage in their learning.

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good

The childminder is good at listening to children. She makes them feel heard and respected. This contributes to their good behaviour and kindness towards others. Children are prepared for the move to school because the childminder fosters their independence well. She consistently supports them to do things for themselves; they are quickly learning to put on their own coats and shoes when getting ready to go out. The childminder encourages children to develop their physical skills, such as crawling and walking. With the older children, she provides them with the resources to develop their hand control ready for writing. The childminder makes effective use of the everyday routines and children's play to reinforce messages about health and hygiene. Children are very clear about how to wash their hands and wipe their noses and they recreate this in their play. The childminder uses the outdoor playhouse for learning outside. This means children can

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good

enjoy their role play, drawing and books in the fresh air.

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provision is good

The childminder meets the requirements for safeguarding and welfare. She has a secure understanding of safeguarding practice, maintaining her knowledge through training on child protection and paediatric first aid. The childminder carefully completes risk assessments to ensure any hazards to children are minimised. She has effective partnerships with parents and other providers whose services children use. This ensures continuity in children's education and provides a rounded picture of each child's progress. Parents say the childminder is very caring and flexible. The childminder reflects on her practice and makes some changes to enhance children's learning experiences. Nevertheless, there is scope for the childminder to enhance her teaching through further training.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 162319 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 874992 Type of provision Childminder Registration category Childminder Age range of children 0 - 17 Total number of places 6 Number of children on roll 3

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Name of provider

Date of previous inspection 9 September 2009

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Telephone number

The childminder was registered in 2001. She lives in Sawbridgeworth. The childminder operates her service Monday to Friday from 7.30am to 7pm, all year round, except for bank holidays and family holidays. She holds a formal childcare qualification at level 3.

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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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