Fitzgerald Michelle Angela

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 30 April 2015 30 September 2008

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Previous inspection: Outstanding 1 How well the early years provision meets the needs of the range of children who attend Requires improvement The contribution of the early years provision to the well-being of children Requires improvement The effectiveness of the leadership and management of the early years provision Requires improvement The setting does not meet legal requirements for early years settings

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This provision requires improvement. It is not yet good because:

 The childminder's systems for administering medication are not secure. As a result, parents' written permission has not been sought for all medication administered to children.  The childminder does not consistently assess children's progress based on an accurate knowledge of their starting points or achievements. Therefore, gaps in children's learning are not always swiftly identified or appropriate interventions sought to close them.  Inconsistencies in the childminder's planning result in some children's individual learning needs not being effectively met. This means that children are not always sufficiently challenged to make good progress in their learning.

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It has the following strengths

 Children form close and caring relationships with the childminder. They confidently move around her well equipped and stimulating home.  Children remain safe and well protected from harm as the childminder has a secure understanding of how to safeguard children. She regularly updates her safeguarding knowledge through appropriate training.  Partnerships with parents and others are strong. As a result, the childminder effectively supports children through changes in their lives and prepares them well for their next stage of learning, such as school.

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What the setting needs to do to improve further

To meet the requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage the provider must:

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What the setting needs to do to improve further

 ensure that medicines are only administered to a child where written permission for that particular medicine has been obtained from the child's parent or carer  ensure assessment is precise and up to date and that information gained is used to plan activities that are tailored to meet each child's learning needs, so that any that gaps in children's progress are swiftly identified and targeted.

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What the setting needs to do to improve further

To meet the requirements of the Childcare Register the provider must:

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What the setting needs to do to improve further

 keep a record of parents' or guardians' consent to administer medication (compulsory part of the Childcare Register)  keep a record of parents' or guardians' consent to administer medication (voluntary part of the Childcare Register).

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Inspection activities

 The inspector observed activities in the childminder's lounge and viewed all areas of the childminder's home used for childcare.  The inspector held discussions with the childminder and minded children at appropriate times throughout the inspection.  The inspector looked at records relating to children's details, accident and medication records, risk assessments, written policies, information about planning and assessment and a selection of other relevant documentation.  The inspector looked at evidence to demonstrate that all adults living on the premises have been suitably vetted. She also looked at copies of the childminder's qualifications and training certificates.  The inspector took account of the views of parents seen through written comments and parental feedback questionnaires.

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who attend. This requires improvement

Children enjoy their time with the childminder. They participate in a range of freely chosen play as well as some adult-led activities, based on themes and topics. However, weaknesses in the childminder's planning for individual children and her assessment of their achievements mean that children do not always make best progress in their learning. Parents are encouraged to play an active role in their children's learning through discussions with the childminder and by viewing their children's learning journals. The childminder encourages children to develop independence through everyday activities, such as dressing and managing their own self-care needs. Good liaison between the childminder and local primary schools, enable her to prepare children for their next stages of learning, such as entering school.

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requires improvement

The childminder does not always follow the required procedures when administering medication to children. On one occasion, she texted parents first to check that they agreed to her giving their child pain relief. However, she had not obtained their written consent to administer that particular medication. Children settle well into the childminder's care. She works closely with parents to develop a secure understanding of each child's needs. Children are cared for in a welcoming and stimulating environment. The childminder's range of resources is extensive and covers all seven areas of learning, indoors and outdoors. Children learn good manners and how to be kind and caring towards each other. They develop understanding about how to keep safe and healthy, through activities and discussions with the childminder. Children's self-esteem and emotional well-being are promoted by the childminder offering children lots of praise and

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requires improvement

encouragement. Their physical abilities are promoted through the use of local parks and outdoor activities.

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provision requires improvement

The childminder has many years of experience of caring for children and mostly provides children with an exciting range of activities. However, there are weaknesses in the childminder's planning, which result in activities not always being tailored to meet individual children's learning needs. The childminder's assessment procedures are also inconsistent and do not always identify gaps in children's learning. The childminder has attended a good range of training since her last inspection. She makes good use of her new found knowledge. For example, she is using some training techniques from a course on babies' and toddlers' speech to promote language skills in younger children. Strong partnership working with parents and others, enable the childminder to develop a secure understanding about each child's needs and changes in their lives. Children remain safe in the childminder's care as she has effective systems for risk assessing her provision.

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provision requires improvement

Reflective practice enables the childminder to review and evaluate her service.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 202232 Local authority Essex Inspection number 854303 Type of provision Childminder Registration category Childminder Age range of children 0 - 17 Total number of places 6 Number of children on roll 17

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Name of provider

Date of previous inspection 30 September 2008

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Telephone number

The childminder was registered in 1996. She operates all year round from 7.30am to 7pm, Monday to Friday, except for 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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