Smith, Virginia Anne

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 27 July 2015 11 January 2010

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This inspection: Outstanding 1

Previous inspection: Good 2 How well the early years provision meets the needs of the range of children who attend Outstanding 1

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This inspection: Outstanding 1

The contribution of the early years provision to the well-being of children Outstanding 1

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This inspection: Outstanding 1

The effectiveness of the leadership and management of the early years provision Outstanding 1

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This inspection: Outstanding 1

The setting meets legal requirements for early years settings

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This provision is outstanding

 Children make exceptional progress in their learning because the quality of teaching is outstanding.  The childminder uses the skills she has gained through her professional qualifications and other training to provide an extensive variety of activities and experiences that promote excellent outcomes for children.  Children develop exceptionally strong skills in communication and language because the childminder engages them in conversation, asks questions and extends their vocabulary during everyday play activities.  The childminder offers a vast range of resources and materials that promote children's development in all areas of learning. Children learn about science and the natural world as they explore and investigate exceptionally imaginative learning materials.  Children develop an extremely secure attachment to the childminder. She offers a homely environment where children feel comfortable and safe. They develop a sense of

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This provision is outstanding

belonging and settle easily into her care.  Children's behaviour is exceptionally good. The childminder fully understands children's individual needs, likes and dislikes and involves them in making decisions for their play and learning.  Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities are especially well supported in their learning, as the childminder works closely in partnership with parents and other professionals involved in their care.  Children are extremely safe in the setting because the childminder has a thorough understanding of her responsibilities to safeguard and protect children. She has an in- depth knowledge of local procedures and how to record and report any concerns.  The childminder demonstrates an extremely strong drive for improvement and seeks feedback from parents, children and other professionals.

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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

 increase opportunities for children to learn more about differences in people, their cultures, languages and abilities, in order to maximise their understanding of the world.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector observed the childminder's interaction with children engaged in activities.  The inspector held discussions with the childminder and spoke to children.  The inspector discussed an observation of an activity with the childminder.  The inspector took account of the views of parents by reading many examples of feedback and positive testimonials.  The inspector looked at the childminder's suitability and qualifications, planning, self- evaluation, records of children's progress and a range of other documentation, including policies and procedures.

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who attend. This is outstanding

Children thrive in the childminder's warm and inviting home environment. The childminder provides extremely motivating and challenging experiences that meet their needs in all areas of learning. She carries out carefully chosen observations to assess the next steps in children's development. Children are free to choose from an extensive range of educational play equipment. The childminder provides an exceptionally fine balance between child-led and adult-directed play activities. She builds on children's experiences to ensure they achieve excellent outcomes in their learning. Children are particularly well prepared for moving on to other settings and school as the childminder ensures they possess all the skills they need. For example, through her observations she identifies a weakness in children's pencil grip and provides tweezers for them to practise picking up stones to strengthen their grasp. She incorporates this into a fun activity using play

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who attend. This is outstanding

resources linked to a story to ensure children stay motivated to learn.

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outstanding

Children feel very much at home in the childminder's setting. Children across all age groups form excellent relationships with each other. The childminder provides opportunities for children to relax together in a group. They enjoy cartons of popcorn and a film at the end of each week to prepare them for a restful weekend. Children feel welcome and valued in the setting as they display their names by the front door and see their artwork displayed in the playroom. The childminder helps children to learn exceptional skills of independence. They learn to manage their own personal care, such as dressing and washing. The childminder employs effective strategies to encourage children to tidy away their toys. Children have excellent opportunities to exercise in the fresh air as they explore the outdoor environment and play sports activities in the very large garden. Children learn about different cultures when they look at books and explore various

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outstanding

festivals. However, there are opportunities to extend this area of learning even further to broaden children's knowledge of differences and enhance their understanding of the world.

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provision is outstanding

The childminder has an excellent understanding of the requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage. She monitors the effectiveness of her practice and the childcare environment by continual evaluation and review. The childminder expertly tracks children's progress and shares comprehensive learning journals with their parents. She develops extremely close relationships with parents and communicates with them through daily diaries, newsletters and verbal feedback. She develops links with other settings that children attend to ensure extremely effective two-way communication and continuity in children's learning. She regularly assesses risks in the childcare environment and on outings. She teaches children to keep themselves safe by discussing the safe use of equipment.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY394974 Local authority Essex Inspection number 874017 Type of provision Childminder Registration category Childminder Age range of children 0 - 17 Total number of places 6 Number of children on roll 14

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Name of provider

Date of previous inspection 11 January 2010

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Telephone number

The childminder was registered in 2009. She lives in Rayleigh, Essex. The childminder operates all year round from Monday to Friday, 6am until 8pm, except for bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder holds an early years qualification at level 3. She cares for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities.

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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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