Childminder in Essex

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 14 April 2015 Not applicable

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This inspection: Good 2

Previous inspection: Not applicable 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 enthusiastic, keen and inquisitive learners. They enjoy a wide range of exciting, well-planned activities in the home, at local groups and on outings. The quality of teaching is very good. Consequently, children are making good progress and are well prepared for their next stage in learning, such as starting school.  Children are settled and secure because they form close bonds and attachments with the childminder and her assistant. There is a relaxed, friendly atmosphere and children are clearly happy in their care.  Children enjoy healthy and nutritious home-cooked meals and snacks and they have plenty of opportunities to access the outdoors. This supports them to lead healthy lifestyles.  Children are safeguarded well because the childminder has robust procedures in place. She has recently totally revised her health and safety checks, to effectively help minimise hazards to children in her setting and while on outings. As a result, children

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This provision is good

are safe and secure when in her care.  The childminder effectively evaluates her service to identify areas for development and monitors the practice of her assistant. Both the childminder and her assistant complete regular training courses to improve their knowledge, skills and childcare practices. They also make good use of input from local authority advisers to improve outcomes for children.

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It is not yet outstanding because:

 The childminder does not make the most of her effective partnerships with parents, to encourage them to make further contributions to support children's learning at the highest level.

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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

 strengthen ways to share ideas for activities that parents can do at home with their children, to make sure that children are supported in making the best possible progress  enhance arrangements for gathering information from parents about what children already know and can do when they join the setting, to determine clear starting points from which to plan for their future learning and help accelerate progress.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector observed activities in the indoor and outdoor learning environments and looked around the premises.  The inspector carried out a joint observation with the childminder.  The inspector held discussions with the childminder, her assistant and the children.  The inspector viewed a sample of the children's development records.  The inspector saw evidence of the suitability and qualifications of the childminder and her assistant, self-evaluation, risk assessment and policies and procedures.  The inspector took account of the views of parents from their responses to surveys organised by the childminder.

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who attend. This is good

The childminder knows how children learn best through play and provides many practical and challenging activities that motivate children to learn more. The childminder and her assistant skilfully extend children's language development through appropriate questioning and the introduction of new words, to develop their vocabulary. For example, children talk about life cycles as they watch chicks hatching or discuss textures as they explore sensory and messy materials. As a result, children are becoming confident communicators. When children start, the childminder asks parents for useful information about care routines and the activities their children enjoy at home. However, she gathers less information about children's skills and abilities, so that she can start building on what children already know and can do, and really accelerate learning, right from the very start. Nevertheless, the childminder efficiently assesses the children's ongoing progress and monitors her

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who attend. This is good

educational programmes effectively. She makes sure she meets all children's individual learning needs and successfully tracks progress to ensure that none of the children get left behind.

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good

Children play in a comfortable environment and they really have fun and want to try new experiences as they play. The childminder and assistant have a very consistent manner when caring for children. They speak in a calm, quiet way and teach children to think about how their actions affect others. As a result, children's behaviour is good and they learn to share and play cooperatively. Children also learn to stay safe as they practise fire drills and know why they wear high visibility jackets so they can easily be seen on outings. The childminder has implemented an effective key-person system, which means that parents know who to speak to about their children's care and learning. In addition, the childminder sends parents an email everyday with information about the care routines and children's achievements. However, the childminder does not consistently share ideas with parents, to enable them to further support their children's learning at home.

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provision is good

The childminder has a secure understanding of her responsibilities in meeting the legal requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage. She maintains all the required documentation in a professional manner and has a comprehensive set of policies and procedures, which underpin the good practice. A wealth of information is displayed in the entrance hall and playroom, where both parents and children can see important notices, certificates and posters. The childminder successfully obtains the views of parents to develop her service. Parents say they value the kindness shown towards the children and make very positive comments about the wide range of activities and outings on offer. The childminder has established very good links with other settings that children attend, to support their future learning when the time comes for them to move on to other settings or school.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY453486 Local authority Essex Inspection number 1010319 Type of provision Childminder Registration category Childminder Age range of children 0 - 17 Total number of places 12 Number of children on roll 14

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Name of provider

Date of previous inspection Not applicable

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Telephone number

The childminder registered in 2013 and lives in Chelmsford, Essex. She works with an assistant and provides childcare all year round, from 7am to 7pm, Monday to Friday, except for 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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