Childminder in Essex

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 14 May 2015 5 June 2009

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Previous inspection: Good 2 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 does not consistently assess children's progress using the accurate information she acquired from their parents of their starting points and achievements. Therefore, gaps in children's learning are not always swiftly identified or appropriate interventions sought to close them.  The childminder does not consistently tailor her planning to meet the learning needs and styles of individual children. This means that children are not always sufficiently challenged or supported to make good progress in their learning.  The childminder does not effectively monitor the activities she provides or her assessment systems. This means that weaknesses in planning and assessment have not been identified through her self-evaluation process.

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It has the following strengths

 Children enjoy their time with the childminder. They form warm relationships with her and her family.  The childminder uses her extensive knowledge of safeguarding children to ensure that they remain safe and secure in her care.  The childminder works closely with parents, and provides them with a clear, written account of their child's day. Partnerships with other early years settings that children attend are strong.  The childminder enjoys training and goes to a wide range of training courses and events to enhance her knowledge.

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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

 develop planning to ensure that every child's individual needs, interests and stages of development are effectively included, to provide activities that are challenging and help children to make good progress in relation to their starting points  improve knowledge and understanding of assessment to ensure each child's development is tracked precisely, including each child's capabilities and development over time.

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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

 monitor planning and assessment more rigorously so that the educational programme is robust, and ensure any written information about children's assessment is current and accurate.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector observed activities in the childminder's lounge and dining room.  The inspector held discussions with the childminder and spoke to minded children at appropriate times throughout the inspection.  The inspector looked at a range of records, including children's details, accident and medication records, written policies, register of daily attendance, parental permission forms and a selection of other relevant documentation.  The inspector looked at copies of the childminder's training and qualification certificates, and viewed evidence that all adults living on the premises have been appropriately vetted.  The inspector took account of the views of parents through written comments and parental feedback questionnaires.

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who attend. This requires improvement

The childminder provides children with a varied range of activities, as well as enabling them to guide their own learning. As a result, children enjoy their time with the childminder. Children's interest in technology is developed by the childminder, as she provides them with resources to enhance their technical understanding. For example, they enjoy using fun software programs on the computer. Children's physical skills are enhanced, as they use a range of outdoor-play equipment in the childminder's garden. They also visit local parks and playgrounds. The childminder supports children to use the large-scale climbing equipment, to help them to develop their skills. Children are appropriately prepared for their next stages of learning, including starting school. For example, the childminder encourages children to develop their independence and listening skills and practise their early handwriting skills.

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requires improvement

Children are settled and comfortable in the childminder's care. The childminder works closely with parents to make children's early experiences with her enjoyable and positive. As a result, children settle quickly in her care. Weaknesses in the childminder's planning and assessment have a negative impact on the overall quality of her provision for children. For example, planning is not always tailored to meet each child's needs. Therefore, children are not always provided with activities that enhance their good all-round development. Children behave well, as they follow the childminder's clear boundaries and rules. The childminder communicates effectively with parents to ensure that she is informed of any changes in children's lives. She uses this information to support children through these changes.

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provision requires improvement

The childminder demonstrates some knowledge of how children learn and uses this to provide them with a range of activities, which cover all seven areas of learning. However, her systems for observing children's play and assessing their progress are not secure. The childminder is not assessing children frequently enough to identify gaps in their learning. Therefore, appropriate interventions may not always be sought to close any gaps in their progress. Planning is generally based on children's interests. However, activities are not planned well enough to ensure that each child is challenged and stimulated to become a keen and active learner. The childminder is not yet effectively reviewing activities and assessments to ensure that they are sharply focused on helping children to make the best possible progress. For example, written information about children's development is not kept up to date and accurate.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 202666 Local authority Essex Inspection number 865179 Type of provision Childminder Registration category Childminder Age range of children 0 - 17 Total number of places 6 Number of children on roll 8

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Telephone number

The childminder was registered in 1997 and lives in Chelmsford, Essex. She operates all year round from 7.45am 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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