Thorpe, Andrea Teresa

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 8 October 2015 6 June 2012

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This inspection: Outstanding 1

Effectiveness of the leadership and management Outstanding 1

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This inspection: Outstanding 1

Quality of teaching, learning and assessment Outstanding 1

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This inspection: Outstanding 1

Personal development, behaviour and welfare Outstanding 1

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This provision is outstanding

 Children are excelling in developing strong language and communication skills for their future learning. The childminder models language consistently and provides a running commentary during children's play.  The childminder provides a highly stimulating and welcoming environment. Children enthusiastically explore and make decisions about their play from an exceptional range of toys and resources.  Children's behaviour is exemplary. This is because the childminder acts as an excellent role model and she has high expectations of all children. Her calm approach and consistent interactions help children to feel valued, which promotes their emotional well-being.  Children are cared for extremely well because the childminder takes the time to get to know their needs and adapts planned activities to suit them. They are secure in the childminder's care and build the confidence they need to explore the world around

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This provision is outstanding

them.  The childminder ensures that she provides an exciting range of experiences that help children to make progress towards the early learning goals. She arranges a wide range of trips and activities outside the home to widen children's learning experiences even further.  Partnerships with parents are very well established. There is an excellent two-way flow of communication, which means children's needs are well known and catered for. Parents regularly contribute what they know about their children, which helps the childminder to plan even more effectively.

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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

 embed learning from professional development to help maintain the excellent practice that is already in place.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector held discussions with the childminder and children at appropriate times throughout the inspection.  The inspector observed children engaged in a variety of activities, both indoors and outdoors.  The inspector took account of the views of the parents, including those spoken to during the inspection.  The inspector carried out a joint observation with the childminder.  The inspector looked at children's assessment records, planning and a range of other documentation, including policies and procedures.  The inspector checked evidence of the suitability of the childminder and family members and discussed self-evaluation.

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management is outstanding

The arrangements for safeguarding are very effective. Children are extremely well protected as the childminder has an excellent understanding of her role in safeguarding them. Robust policies and procedures underpin her understanding of safeguarding practice, which helps her to check that children are kept safe from harm. The childminder has an extremely strong commitment to her professional development and attends regular training. She plans to continue to embed this knowledge to maintain her outstanding practice. She collaborates with local childminders to share ideas and knowledge. This enables her to reflect on her own provision and to make improvements regularly. The childminder understands and implements the requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage exceptionally well. She is extremely enthusiastic, highly motivated and fully committed to her work.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is outstanding

The childminder's teaching is outstanding. Her playful interactions during children's activities are excellent and contribute to them being highly motivated and fully engaged in their play and learning. Children thoroughly enjoy using water, leaves and soil to create their own recipes in their pretend kitchen. Children enjoy taking part in exciting planned activities, which follow on from the childminder's precise observations of their interests. The childminder promotes children's mathematical understanding as she incorporates numbers into everyday activities. Children learn how to appreciate books as they look at them together and enjoy singing familiar rhymes.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are outstanding

The childminder provides children with nutritious food and they talk positively about the fruit and vegetables they enjoy. She encourages children to have a healthy diet and they understand the importance of washing their hands routinely. The children plant fruit, herbs and vegetables, which they grow, pick and eat. This helps children learn about having a healthy lifestyle. Children's physical abilities develop exceptionally well as they have many chances to be active through daily access to the garden and the local environment. Great care is taken to ensure that children develop independence skills and are emotionally prepared to start school.

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Outcomes for children are outstanding

The childminder continually monitors the educational programmes and evaluates the progress children are making, ensuring that any gaps in their learning are quickly identified. There are effective partnerships in place with parents, other professionals and other settings children attend. The childminder supports and encourages children to try things for themselves and to persevere with new skills.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY416264 Local authority Essex Inspection number 851710 Type of provision Childminder Day care type Childminder Age range of children 0 - 10 Total number of places 5 Number of children on roll 9

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Telephone number

The childminder was registered in 2012 and lives in Chelmsford, Essex. She operates all year round from 7.30am to 5.30pm, Monday to Friday, 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

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Telephone number

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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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