Childminder in Essex

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 8 February 2016 25 June 2009

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This inspection: Good 2

Effectiveness of the leadership and management Good 2

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This inspection: Good 2

Quality of teaching, learning and assessment Good 2

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This inspection: Good 2

Personal development, behaviour and welfare Good 2

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This provision is good

 The childminder supports children's communication and language skills well. She gets down to children's level, adds new words into their vocabulary and promotes children's confidence to communicate with others.  The childminder provides a warm, welcoming environment where children feel happy, safe and settle well. She forms close, caring bonds with children and is responsive to their individual needs.  The childminder supports children well emotionally with changes in their lives. She takes children on regular settling-in visits and talks to them about what they can expect from other settings they are due to attend. Children are well prepared for the move to pre-school or school.  The childminder provides children with opportunities to discover and learn about the world around them. Children learn about each other's similarities and differences, other cultures and ways of life outside of their own experiences.

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This provision is good

 The childminder forms effective partnerships with other early years professionals. She shares good practice ideas to help develop her own knowledge. The childminder attends regular training to develop her own skills and to benefit the needs of children.

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It is not yet outstanding because:

 The childminder provides children with fewer opportunities to be independent with their creativity.  The childminder's checking of children's progress is not robust enough to secure the best possible outcomes for all children.

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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

 focus more closely on consistently supporting children to fully explore and develop their own creative ideas  strengthen the checking of children's progress to further enhance planning for children's future learning, so they have better opportunities to make higher levels of progress.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector observed activities in the indoor learning environment where children play and viewed all areas of the home used for childminding.  The inspector observed a focused activity and evaluated the quality of teaching with the childminder.  The inspector spoke with the childminder and children at appropriate times during the inspection.  The inspector looked at children's records, planning and a range of other documentation, including policies and procedures and risk assessments.  The inspector checked evidence of the qualifications of the childminder, her suitability and the suitability of other household members.  The inspector took account of the views of parents in children's development records.

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management is good

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective. The childminder can identify the possible indicators of abuse and knows the appropriate action to take if she has concerns about a child. Her policies and procedures are robust and reflect current legislation and guidelines to support her good practice. The childminder completes daily checks and thorough risk assessments of the premises. This helps to effectively promote children's safety. She checks toys and resources are age appropriate and safe for children to use. The childminder evaluates her practice regularly. She incorporates views from parents, children and other professionals into her focused improvement plans. The childminder reviews activities she plans for children, and monitors these well so she can plan ways to improve them further.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

The qualified childminder has a good knowledge of how children learn. She gets to know them well through regular observations and accurate assessments of what they can do. The childminder uses this information to plan enjoyable play activities based around children's interests and needs. Children develop good physical skills. The childminder promotes their abilities in using equipment, such as scissors and malleable dough. This helps children prepare for early writing skills. Children develop good levels of concentration. The childminder skilfully builds on children's learning by extending their thinking skills while they play. She forms successful partnerships with parents. The childminder gives them daily updates of children's achievements and welcomes their views towards assessments of children's progress. She advises them of how they can effectively support their children's learning at home.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are good

The childminder manages children's behaviour well. She sets clear age-appropriate boundaries. She encourages more-able children to contribute their ideas about what they feel is acceptable behaviour. The childminder gives children regular praise and encouragement. This contributes to their high levels of self-esteem. Children have many opportunities for physical exercise and fresh air. They have daily walks to school and attend outings to places, such as, the local park, zoo and farm. The childminder works together with parents to help develop children's skills in attending to their own personal care needs, such as using the toilet. Children develop their social skills as they learn to mix with other adults and children at weekly toddler groups. The childminder practises road safety with children on outings. She promotes their awareness of dangers in the environment so that they are aware of how to protect themselves from harm.

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Outcomes for children are good

All children make good progress given their starting points and capabilities. They are well- prepared for the next stage in their learning, including starting school.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 202839 Local authority Essex Inspection number 854316 Type of provision Childminder Day care type Childminder Registers Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register Age range of children 2 - 9 Total number of places 6 Number of children on roll 8

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Name of provider

Date of previous inspection 25 June 2009

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Telephone number

The childminder was registered in 1997 and lives in Colchester, Essex. She operates all year round from 7am to 6pm, 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

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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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