Smith, Amanda Jane

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 8 July 2015 8 December 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

 Children develop close bonds with the childminder because she is warm, caring and sensitive to their individual needs. As a result, they settle well and develop high self- esteem and confidence.  The quality of teaching is good. The childminder is well qualified and uses her experience and knowledge of how children learn to effectively meet the needs of individual children.  Partnerships with parents are strong and they are kept well informed about their child's learning and development. As a result, parents have the information they need to support their child's learning at home.  Children are safeguarded well because the childminder has a secure understanding of her roles and responsibilities. In addition, detailed and effective policies and procedures are in place and implemented well.  Children's behaviour is good. The childminder responds sensitively to children, providing meaningful praise and encouragement, which promotes their self-esteem.

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It is not yet outstanding because:

 On occasion, the childminder intervenes too quickly to help children and does not optimise opportunities for older children to try to do things for themselves.  The storage of the childminder's resources means that children are not always able to make independent choices which follow their own interests.

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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

 give children more time to try to do things for themselves before intervening  make resources more accessible to children so they can choose what they wish to play with and follow their own interests.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector toured the premises and observed children playing.  The inspector looked at children's learning and development records, and a selection of policies and children's records.  The inspector spoke with the childminder and children at appropriate times throughout the inspection and conducted a joint observation with the childminder.  The inspector took account of the information provided in the childminder's self- evaluation document and through written parental comments provided for the inspection.

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who attend. This is good

The childminder knows the children well. She works closely with parents from the start to assess children's starting points. In addition, she completes ongoing observations and assessments of children, which she uses alongside their interests to plan a wide range of activities which cover all areas of learning. The childminder extends activities well, for example, following a recent trip to the museum, she provided children with resources to construct with. This supported children's hand-to-eye coordination well as they used toy drills to fit pieces together. The childminder uses effective questioning and models language to extend children's learning. For example, she asks children if the bolts are tight or loose. She demonstrates how to fit pieces together and children show pride and confidence in their own achievements when they succeed. However, on occasion, the childminder suggests solutions too quickly and does not give older children time to try to

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who attend. This is good

do things for themselves. This does not encourage children to think critically or persevere with tasks. Babies have good opportunities to develop their hand-to-eye coordination and sensory skills as they explore different textures in treasure baskets. As a result, all children make good progress in preparation for the next stage in their learning.

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good

The childminder provides a welcoming and safe environment and supports children's well- being. She provides children with guidance about how to keep themselves safe, which helps them to learn about safety inside and outside of her home. Children have good opportunities to learn about healthy lifestyles. They make healthy food choices and have regular opportunities to play outdoors to develop their physical skills. Children are enthusiastic and motivated learners. They engage well with visitors, encouraging them to join in with their play. The childminder sets out a good range of resources based on children's interests and stage of development. However, the organisation of resources does not enable children to know what else is available. This restricts them from making further choices that develop their existing, or new, interests in ways they decide.

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provision is good

The childminder has a good understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage. She shares comprehensive policies and procedures with parents so they have a good understanding of how she works. The childminder and her assistant hold current first-aid qualifications. This means that they are able to respond quickly and appropriately to accidents. The childminder understands the importance of ensuring that her assistant is fully aware of his role and responsibilities and her role to support him through regular supervision sessions. She regularly checks children's progress and identifies next steps in their learning. She demonstrates a positive attitude towards developing her practice. She regularly reviews her provision and takes account of the views of parents and children when identifying areas for further improvement. In addition, the childminder attends regular training, which helps her to develop opportunities for children.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY333102 Local authority Hartlepool Inspection number 862556 Type of provision Childminder Registration category Childminder Age range of children 0 - 17 Total number of places 12 Number of children on roll 6

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Name of provider

Date of previous inspection 8 December 2009

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Telephone number

The childminder was registered in 2006 and lives in Hartlepool. She works alongside her husband, who is registered as her assistant. The childminder operates all year round from 8am to 5.30pm, Tuesday to Friday, except bank holidays and family holidays. She holds an appropriate early years qualification at level 3.

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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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