Childminder in Essex

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 27 July 2015 6 May 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

 All children make good progress in their learning and development. Activities are varied, stimulating and based on children's interests and stages of development. This ensures they have the skills they need for school.  Children develop warm and affectionate attachments with the childminder. This promotes their emotional development and sense of belonging. They show that they are confident and happy in her care.  All aspects of safeguarding are very well understood by the childminder. She ensures that children are kept safe and free from harm, both in the home and when on outings.  The childminder evaluates all aspects of her practice and constantly strives to improve. She keeps up with developments in childcare and seeks and takes account of the views of parents and children.

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It is not yet outstanding because:

 Opportunities for children to practise writing for different purposes are sometimes missed.  Children's sensory and creative development is not always best supported.

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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 practise their early writing skills as they play and work  develop more ways to support children's creative thinking and develop their imagination and sensory skills.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector interacted with children and the childminder in the playroom and kitchen.  The inspector carried out a focused observation with the childminder.  The inspector looked at a selection of policies and other documentation, such as qualification certificates, evidence of suitability checks and children's registration details.  The inspector took account of the views of parents spoken to during the inspection, and gathered in advance of the inspection on questionnaires.

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who attend. This is good

Children make good progress in their learning and development. Challenging, fun activities are planned, based on careful and accurate observations of children and an understanding of what their next steps in learning should be. The childminder helps encourage young children to take their first steps unaided, and provides them with sturdy, push-along toys to give them some further security. She helps children by steadying a tower of blocks as it grows taller, talking about what the children are doing and showing enthusiasm for their efforts at stacking the bricks. Children choose books to share together, sitting companionably on the floor as they wait for lunch. Parents are given regular progress reports, including very clear and precise next steps in learning, so that they can help children at home. The garden is used well for physical play and for observing nature and wildlife. Occasionally, opportunities for children to practise their early writing skills, such as

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who attend. This is good

writing for different purposes, are overlooked. Some aspects of children's sensory and imaginary development are less well provided for. For example, activities using household or natural materials are less often planned for.

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good

Children show that they feel settled and secure in the childminder's warm and affectionate care. She skilfully communicates with children, interpreting their non-verbal cues, such as gestures and facial expressions, so that she can meet their needs. The play spaces are welcoming and well organised. The presentation of resources allows children to select things and make choices about what they play with and where they want to play. The childminder has discussions with parents about children's developing needs and personal requirements. The childminder provides parents with a daily diary that supports an effective two-way flow of information and is also used when children attend other early years settings. Children's social skills are further promoted as they go on trips to the library and attend various community groups. They sleep when they need to and enjoy fresh air and exercise in the safe garden.

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provision is good

Children's needs are met and they are safe and free from harm in the childminder's care. Her knowledge of safeguarding is up to date and she maintains a first-aid qualification and deals with minor accidents appropriately. The childminder is conscientious in keeping up with trends and developments in childcare. She actively seeks out information and adapts her practice to ensure she is meeting all current requirements to a high standard. Supporting documentation is all in place, and effectively presented, so that parents are fully aware of all aspects of the service. The childminder strives to improve and has goals for future development. For example, based on the success of a previous activity of growing vegetables, she plans to increase the number of varieties grown next season. The childminder intends to provide children with a mud kitchen so they can experiment with combining materials and explore the properties of mud, water and stones.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY261539 Local authority Essex Inspection number 872684 Type of provision Childminder Registration category Childminder Age range of children 0 - 6 Total number of places 6 Number of children on roll 4

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Telephone number

The childminder was registered in 2003 and lives in Heybridge, near Maldon, Essex. She operates all year round from 8am to 5.30pm, Monday to Thursday, 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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