Childminder in Essex

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 20 July 2015 18 May 2010

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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 Outstanding 1

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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 provides children with an extremely friendly, welcoming and stimulating learning environment, both indoors and outside. As a result, children display high levels of curiosity and are well motivated to learn and explore.  Children are extremely happy in the childminder's care. She has established close bonds with children and their families. Parents praise the quality of the provision very highly and they comment on the fun activities their children take part in.  Children are well prepared for starting school. The childminder encourages children to develop good social skills. She provides a wide range of interesting resources that promote children's early reading, writing and mathematical skills.  The childminder gives a very high priority to ensuring children learn about the importance of safe and healthy lifestyles. Children thrive because they eat nutritious snacks and meals, have regular exercise and follow good hygiene routines.

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This provision is good

 The well-qualified childminder attends regular training to keep her skills and knowledge up to date. She also attends local cluster meetings, which enables her to share ideas and discuss best practice. This has a positive impact on the quality of learning for children.  The childminder effectively safeguards children from harm. She fully understands the signs and symptoms of abuse. She is also well aware of the procedure to follow should she have any concerns about a child in her care.

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It is not yet outstanding because:

 The childminder does not consistently use information gathered from parents to secure an accurate assessment of children's starting points when they join the setting.

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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

 make better use of the information gathered from parents about what children already know and can do when they join the setting, to promptly determine clear starting points from which to plan for their future learning.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector observed activities in the indoor and outdoor learning environments and looked around the premises.  The inspector held discussions with the childminder about the children's progress and achievements.  The inspector viewed the children's development records.  The inspector saw evidence of the suitability and qualifications of the childminder, her assistant and her family and looked at self-evaluation, risk assessment and policies and procedures.  The inspector took account of the views of parents from their responses to surveys organised by the childminder.

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who attend. This is good

The quality of teaching is good and sometimes outstanding. The childminder provides interesting and stimulating activities to ensure that children are highly motivated and remain absorbed in their play. For example, children follow their interests outdoors as they investigate the bugs and insects that live under logs. They have many sensory opportunities to experiment with dough, water and soil. Interaction between the childminder and children is good. The childminder effectively promotes children's speaking and listening skills. She recognises that some children tend to be shy and uses clear questioning, giving children time to respond and to organise their thoughts. When children start, the childminder asks parents for information about the activities their children enjoy at home and any skills they have already achieved. However, the childminder is not promptly using this information to help her assess children's starting points and accelerate

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who attend. This is good

learning, right from the very start. Nevertheless, parents are kept fully informed and can continue activities at home. They regularly get to see information about their children's progress through both online and written reports.

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outstanding

The childminder's warm, positive manner means children are secure and build excellent skills for the future. Children have regular opportunities to mix with other children and adults. This successfully supports children to develop confidence and self-assurance in different social situations. Children are very polite and behave well. They do not become distracted by others as the childminder provides very clear guidance about acceptable behaviour. The childminder encourages children to be fully independent. For example, toilet training is sensitively carried out and children learn to put on their own coats and shoes before going outside to play. Children's physical skills are extremely well promoted as they confidently explore the inspiring and highly stimulating garden. They use an excellent range of apparatus to help build their coordination and agility.

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provision is good

The childminder has a secure understanding of the requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage. She maintains a good overview of the activities and experiences she provides, to ensure they cover all areas of learning. The childminder effectively evaluates her provision and has detailed policies and procedures in place, which she reviews and shares with parents. She has successfully addressed the recommendation from her previous inspection, which reflects her commitment to continual improvement. The childminder discusses all aspects of her service with her assistant to ensure she is aware of her role and responsibilities. The assistant is well qualified and attends first-aid training with the childminder so they can both deal with minor injuries and emergency situations. The childminder has positive links with the local nurseries and schools to help promote continuity in children's care and learning.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY375466 Local authority Essex Inspection number 858304 Type of provision Childminder Registration category Childminder Age range of children 0 - 17 Total number of places 6 Number of children on roll 2

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Telephone number

The childminder was registered in 2008. She operates all year round from 7.30am to 5.30pm, Monday to Friday, except for bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder occasionally works with an assistant. The childminder and her assistant both hold an 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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