Childminder in Essex

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 8 May 2015 13 March 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 knowledge of how children learn. She provides interesting and exciting activities that are tailored to the children's individual needs and challenges them in their learning. As a result, children make good progress in their development.  The childminder supports children's communication and language skills well. For example, she sings songs, plays peek-a-boo games and mimics babies' facial expressions and babbles.  The childminder provides a warm, welcoming environment for the children. She forms loving, caring bonds with them and provides a good range of settling-in procedures. Consequently, children are happy, confident and feel safe in their surroundings.  The childminder forms successful partnerships with other early settings and childminders. She regularly shares information and activity ideas to further improve her good practice.  The childminder has a secure understanding of the possible indicators of abuse and

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This provision is good

knows the appropriate action to take if she has concerns about a child. Her policies and procedures effectively support her good knowledge of how to protect children's welfare.

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It is not yet outstanding because:

 Younger children have fewer opportunities to access natural and exploratory materials, in order to enhance their investigative skills and sensory development.  The childminder does not always encourage all parents to contribute to their children's learning at the setting or 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

 enhance the opportunities younger children have to explore a range of textures and different natural objects, in order to stimulate all their senses and to further develop their investigation skills  enhance the already good opportunities parents have to be involved in their children's learning, by involving them even more in activities to complete at home, and offer more opportunities for them to contribute to children's learning at the setting.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector observed activities in the indoor learning environment where children play and viewed all areas of the home used for childminding purposes.  The inspector spoke with the childminder and children at appropriate times during the inspection.  The inspector carried out an evaluation of teaching with the childminder.  The inspector spoke to parents and viewed parent's feedback from testimonials.  The inspector looked at children's records, planning, and a range of other documentation, including policies and procedures and evidence of the suitability of the childminder.

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who attend. This is good

The childminder gets to know children well through regular observations. She uses these to form accurate assessments of their capabilities. As a result, activities planned, support children's good progress. Children develop their imagination and problem-solving skills. The childminder provides activities, such as freezing sequins in water and encourages the children to estimate how long they will take to melt. The childminder provides a good range of resources in the environment that supports children's physical skills. For example, she places toys for babies to reach them, and encourages them to use the furniture to manoeuvre themselves on. The childminder provides older children with opportunities for sensory experiences, such as playing with cornflour and digging in the mud. However, there are fewer opportunities for young children to experience different textures and smells in their play. For example, they have less access to more natural resources, such

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who attend. This is good

as, pine cones, sponges, shells and metal objects.

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good

The childminder obtains a good range of information from parents before children start. She provides settling-in sessions tailored to the individual families. Consequently, she is very knowledgeable about the children's care needs and routines. As a result, they settle well and feel safe in her care. The childminder places a high importance on children leading a healthy lifestyle. She recently set children challenges of physical exercise and eating healthily. These were all implemented through play, such as sack races and finding foods to eat of a particular colour. Children develop their independence skills. They access the toilet, wash their hands and put on their own coats and shoes. Consequently, they are well prepared for the next stage in their learning, including the move to school.

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provision is good

The childminder implements the learning and development requirements well and keeps children safe. She carries out daily checks of her environment and regularly reviews risk assessments, including those for outings. The childminder is well qualified and attends regular training to update her knowledge and skills. She has recently attended training on the new requirements for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities and has updated her policies accordingly. The childminder oversees children's progress and completes progress checks for children aged between two and three years. She uses these effectively to identify any gaps in children's learning so she can provide the appropriate support. The childminder forms successful relationships with parents and meets with them regularly to discuss children's progress. However, the childminder does not consistently encourage all parents to be fully involved in their children's learning. For example, they

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provision is good

are not encouraged to contribute their own observations and photographs or complete activities at home with their children, to support their good progress further.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 202639 Local authority Essex Inspection number 871063 Type of provision Childminder Registration category Childminder Age range of children 0 - 17 Total number of places 6 Number of children on roll 9

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Name of provider

Date of previous inspection 13 March 2009

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Telephone number

The childminder was registered in 1997 and lives in South Woodham Ferrers, Essex. She operates all year round from 7am to 6pm, 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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