Mercer, Donna Rebecca

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 29 July 2015 4 April 2011

p.1

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

p.1

This inspection: Good 2

The contribution of the early years provision to the well-being of children Good 2

p.1

This inspection: Good 2

The effectiveness of the leadership and management of the early years provision Good 2

p.1

This inspection: Good 2

The setting meets legal requirements for early years settings

p.1

This provision is good

 The childminder provides good quality care and learning for the children. She knows the children well and completes regular observations of them at play to assess their learning, and enhance their overall development.  Children behave well and have formed good friendships. The childminder gives each child a good amount of praise and encouragement, which successfully builds children's self-confidence and self-esteem.  The childminder promotes children's healthy lifestyle, through regular discussions and frequent snack and meals times. This maintains children's health while promoting their understanding of how they can stay healthy.  Children are cared for in a safe and secure environment, which enables them to feel protected as they explore and investigate within the environment.  The childminder has built strong relationships and has good communication with parents, which enables her to gather the information she needs to meet children's

p.1

It is not yet outstanding because:

 The childminder does not always encourage children's early-writing skills, or increase their awareness that print carries meaning, during activities.  Overall, the childminder provides good mathematical activities, however, less focus is made on promoting children's awareness of mathematical language and colours.

p.1

What the setting needs to do to improve further

To further improve the quality of the early years provision the provider should:

p.2

What the setting needs to do to improve further

 introduce more mathematical language, especially around colours during play and planned activities  introduce more opportunities for children to build upon their early-writing skills to support their awareness that print carries meaning and extend their literacy development.

p.2

Inspection activities

 The inspector observed children participating in activities inside.  The inspector spoke with the childminder and children at appropriate times throughout the inspection.  The inspector sampled children's developmental records, a selection of policies and procedures, and took account of parental feedback through questionnaires.  The inspector gave feedback to the childminder at the end of the inspection.

p.2

who attend. This is good

Children have a good range of activities available to them which promote their learning and support their imaginations and understanding very well. The childminder is skilled at engaging with the children and providing activities which interlink to the areas of learning well. For example, children cut out pictures of objects they are going to experiment with, and then stick these onto headed paper to show their views on whether they think these objects will float or sink. This promotes their imaginations, creativity and understanding. However, fewer chances are given to children to make marks for a purpose, to build on their early-writing skills and their literacy development. Children's mathematical development is well promoted as the childminder talks, encourages and listens to the children. She encourages them to use descriptive words for how the objects feel and if they think it is heavy or light. Although, less emphasis is placed on recognising colours.

p.3

who attend. This is good

Children then carry out the experiment, which the childminder uses well to engage children and encourage them to think critically and be actively involved in their learning.

p.3

good

Children are relaxed, confident in the childminder care. They interact with, listen to, and warmly invite her into their play, which demonstrate that they feel secure and she is important to them. Children have a good range of toys and resources available to them, which support their interests and learning well. Together they enjoy playing board games, which helps them to understand the concept of winning and losing, to aid their turn taking and learn expected behaviour. Children's self-help skills are encouraged and supported well by the childminder, as she encourages the children to tidy away, and they wash their hands before snacks. This helps children to be confident in their own personal needs, in readiness for their move to school. Children have daily opportunities to be outside and enjoy trips to local parks, explore the local community and play in the garden.

p.3

provision is good

The childminder has a good understanding of all the requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage. She is fully aware of her responsibilities to safeguard children, and has a strong understanding of her roles and responsibilities in relation to referring a child protection concern. The childminder has an appropriate understanding of her strengths and areas for future improvements. She is committed to training and has all mandatory training in place, such as maintaining a valid first-aid certificate. The childminder is dedicated to her role and is keen to progress her knowledge around observation and assessment to improve how she records these. The childminder demonstrates a good understanding of the importance of working in partnership with others helps promote continuity in care.

p.3

Setting details

Unique reference number EY416451 Local authority Oxfordshire Inspection number 832347 Type of provision Childminder Registration category Childminder Age range of children 0 - 8 Total number of places 6 Number of children on roll 4

p.4

Name of provider

Date of previous inspection 4 April 2011

p.4

Telephone number

The childminder registered in 2010. She lives in Abingdon, Oxfordshire. The childminder operates weekdays, for most of the year. The childminder has an appropriate level 3 qualification in childcare.

p.4

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.

p.4

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.

p.4

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’.

p.5

Telephone number

T: 0300 123 4234 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ofsted

p.5