Gathercole, Claire Ruth Valerie

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 1 May 2015 28 May 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 has a good level of knowledge and understanding of the requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage. This means she supports children very well to make progress, stay safe and be happy.  The childminder promotes good hygiene and healthy lifestyles. Children learn to wash their hands independently and enjoy a range of healthy food options.  The childminder has a good understanding of safeguarding and the procedures to follow should she have any concerns about a child. She ensures her training and contact details are appropriately updated.  Parents provide positive, complimentary testimonials about the childminder's service. They state their children feel secure, progress well and thoroughly enjoy their time with her. This supports parents' confidence to leave their children in such good care.  The childminder meets every child's individual needs through quality provision. This

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This provision is good

includes children with special educational needs and/or disabilities. She works in partnership with parents and relevant professionals to implement consistent supportive strategies. As a result, all children progress well from their starting points.

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It is not yet outstanding because:

 Parents' comments and views are not routinely sought and included in children's assessments, including the progress check for children aged between two- and three- years-old.  Younger children are not consistently supported to develop an interest in books or stories by fully engaging them and capturing their interest.

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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

 further enhance partnerships with parents by obtaining their views and comments on children's assessments, including the statutory progress check for two-year-old children  support younger children further in developing an interest in books and stories, for example, by using resources such as story-related puppets or toys to capture their interest.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector and childminder jointly observed children at play and discussed their evaluations.  The inspector took account of written parental comments on the childminder's provision.  The inspector spoke with the childminder and children at appropriate times throughout the inspection.  The inspector toured areas of the premises used for childminding, both indoors and outside.  The inspector sampled documentation, including records of observations, assessments and planning to support children's progress.

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who attend. This is good

The childminder introduces children to interesting, stimulating resources and activities to promote curiosity and active learning. For example, she provides a tray of cereal puffs with scoops, containers and diggers for children to investigate. Children gain awareness of volume, capacity and quantity. Young children fill and empty containers, while older children count and compare amounts. They explore texture, discussing the 'crunch' sound made as the dumper truck is pushed across the cereal. This supports children to learn as they play. The childminder adeptly supports children's language and communication skills. She introduces new language, sensitively recasts mispronounced words and models sounds. This supports younger children's emerging language and encourages older children to extend their vocabulary. For example, in chatting about the weather, children repeat the childminder's actions and language, saying, 'Nippy, nippy, nippy,' and 'Brrr'.

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good

Children develop trusting, warm relationships with the childminder. They settle well and confidently seek her comfort or support when they are tired or need help. The childminder provides consistent praise to children for their efforts. As a result, children become confident to 'have a go' and develop self-esteem as they refine new skills. For example, children learn to use cutlery independently and put on their shoes. This helps children prepare for school or nursery. Children learn how to keep safe. They talk about road safety and practise regular fire drills, appropriately recalling procedures. The childminder provides consistent rules and boundaries, and explains the reasons why. For example, she reminds children about sharing toys because, otherwise, other children might feel sad. She encourages children to help keep the environment safe and tidy; for example, they help clear up spilt cereal, developing their physical skills to use a dustpan and brush. As a

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good

result, children's behaviour is good and they learn to respect their environment and the feelings of others.

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provision is good

The childminder keeps good records of children's learning and development, including photographs, written observations and accurate assessments. She plans effectively for children's next steps in learning and tracks their developmental progress clearly, to demonstrate their strengths and identify any gaps in learning, to concentrate support. However, she does not consistently obtain and record parental views and comments on these assessments. The childminder uses her established links with other childminders to exchange information and ideas for best practice; this includes her jointly running a childminding group within the local children's centre.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY387175 Local authority Croydon Inspection number 830050 Type of provision Childminder Registration category Childminder Age range of children 0 - 8 Total number of places 6 Number of children on roll 9

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Telephone number

The childminder registered in 2008. She lives with her adult son in Croydon, Surrey. The childminder works from 7.30am until 6pm Monday to Wednesday, from 7.30am until 5.30pm on Thursday, and 7.30am until 4.30pm on Friday. She works for most of the year, except 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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