Smith, Emma

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 11 May 2016 30 March 2011

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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 Outstanding 1

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This provision is good

 The importance of continuously developing high quality practice is embedded within the childminder’s practice. As a result of training specifically relating to the outdoors, children have grown in confidence. They learn to balance and develop their physical skills well.  Parents are extremely positive about all aspects of the childminder’s practice. They are kept up-to-date on how and what their children are learning through regular discussions, newsletters and photographs. Typical comments state ‘It is like leaving them with family’.  Children have extremely close attachments to the childminder. They are more than happy to leave their parents to play in the safe and exciting environment.  The childminder has a very clear understanding of children’s different needs and interests, and plans around these. Exciting activities frequently take place in the outdoors, where children learn to explore and discover the world of different plants and

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It is not yet outstanding because:

 The childminder does not always give children enough opportunities to solve problems for themselves.  Information from assessments does not readily identify the rate of progress made for individual 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

 Improve the quality of teaching by giving young children more opportunities to solve problems.  Strengthen assessment by making better use of information to identify the rate of progress made by individual children.

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Inspection activities

 Her Majesty’s Inspector (HMI) observed the quality of teaching and its impact on children’s learning.  HMI took account of parents' views.  HMI held meetings with the childminder and spoke to children at appropriate times during the inspection.  HMI looked at a range of documentation including children’s records, records of the progress children have made and evidence of the suitability of the household.

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management is good

The childminder has put her qualifications and further training to good use. She provides a wide range of activities that build on children’s communication and language; reading; writing and mathematical skills. Safeguarding is effective. The childminder has updated her training in line with national requirements for protecting children. Partnerships with other professionals are strong. Health visitors have taken the opportunity to carry out health checks on minded children at the childminder’s home. As a result, children have been able to be observed taking part in their normal daily routines. All children are making typical progress. However, the rate at which this happens is less clear in assessment information.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

Children of different ages play together well. They frequently initiate activities and use their imagination well to act out different roles in the ‘cafe’. Younger children wait patiently to be served while older children use their early writing skills to make a note of the order. Children have a keen interest in bugs. They easily identify ants and wood lice and know the differences between the two. They use tools expertly to carefully pick up small creatures and place them in the magnifying tub. They know that caterpillars turn into butterflies and link this back to the story of ‘The Hungry Caterpillar’. Overall the quality of teaching is good; although, at times, children are given help and answers to questions too readily. This limits their ability to persevere with an activity.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are outstanding

Children thrive in the caring and vibrant environment. They feel extremely safe and secure and are well behaved and polite with each other. Squabbles are rare and only occur when younger children become slightly fractious when tired. When this occurs children are highly sensitive to each other’s feelings and show genuine concern. Children thoroughly enjoy looking at photographs of their past activities and are able to explain in great detail what took place. Children grow in confidence in different social situations as they go on regular outings to parks, libraries and museums. The childminder is an excellent role model. She speaks calmly and gently reminds them of the need to share. Babies' needs are very well catered for as they readily go to the childminder for reassurance and cuddles.

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Outcomes for children are good

Older children are very well prepared for their move to school. They are independent and able to manage their personal needs well. They act in a responsible manner towards the younger children and are able to concentrate for a sustained period of time as they listen and join in with gusto at storytime. Younger children have good pencil control and count with confidence. Babies watch and listen with great interest. They smile and develop their physical skills as they bounce up and down with excitement and attempt to crawl.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 308394 Local authority Lancashire Inspection number 1051359 Type of provision Childminder Day care type Childminder Registers Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register Age range of children 0 - 8 Total number of places 9 Number of children on roll 8

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Name of registered person

Date of previous inspection 30 March 2011

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Telephone number

The childminder was registered in 1996 and lives in Freckleton, near Preston. She holds Early Years Professional status. The childminder operates all year round from 7.30am to 5.30pm, Monday to Friday, except for bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder provides funded education for children aged two, three and four years.

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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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