Thomas, Imelda Ann

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 28 October 2016 10 May 2016

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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

 Since the last inspection, the childminder has worked hard and acted on the suggestions of local authority advisers to make improvements. The previous actions and recommendations have been appropriately addressed.  Children make good progress and develop the skills they need for future learning. The childminder plans a broad range of activities that she knows children will enjoy. She involves herself in children's play and makes learning fun.  The childminder provides a well-resourced environment to learn in. Children are able to extend their learning in the garden and on regular outings which support those who prefer to learn outside.  Children have developed secure attachments with the childminder. Cuddles and hugs are shared, and this nurturing approach helps young children feel safe and secure.  Partnerships with parents are good. They are regularly given information about their children's progress and ideas about how to support learning at home.

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It is not yet outstanding because:

 Occasionally, the childminder intervenes too quickly and does not give children enough time to find the solution to problems for themselves.  The childminder does not always focus planning and assessment precisely enough to help accelerate children's learning to the very highest level.

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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

 provide children with more opportunity to have time to think about solutions to simple problems that they encounter during their play and activities  strengthen the assessment and planning systems even further to target more precisely children's next steps in learning, and to support individual children to make even more rapid progress.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector observed the quality of teaching during activities indoors and outdoors, and assessed the impact this has on children's learning.  The inspector viewed focused activities with the childminder and discussed the children's progress and achievements.  The inspector viewed the children's development records.  The inspector reviewed evidence of the suitability of the childminder and her family, self-evaluation, qualification certificates, risk assessment and policies and procedures.  The inspector took account of the views of parents from their written testimonials and responses to surveys organised by the childminder.

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management is good

Arrangements for safeguarding are effective. The childminder has improved her knowledge of the safeguarding requirements. She has notified Ofsted about all the adults living on the premises and they have been vetted and checked through the Disclosure and Barring Service. The childminder completes training so that she remains up to date on how to support children's safety and welfare. She knows what to do if she has concerns about a child's well-being. Risk assessments are carried out to ensure the premises are safe and secure. The childminder also attends cluster meetings with other childminders. The knowledge and new ideas gained from these meetings are used to build successfully on children's learning. The childminder now evaluates her practice and accurately monitors and tracks children's development. This means she can identify any gaps in children's learning and secure appropriate additional support, when this is necessary. Good links

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management is good

have been established with local schools and pre-schools, and information is shared to promote continuity in children's care and learning.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

Overall, teaching is effective. The childminder uses a blend of adult-led and child-initiated activities to motivate children to learn new things. Children develop their understanding of the world as they learn to care for living things. They count as they feed the fish and compare the different sizes and colours. The childminder effectively promotes young children's interest in books and stories. She provides them with books that make sounds and interesting props and puppets linked to the stories. The childminder uses songs and stories with repetitive phrases to build on children's speech and language skills. She encourages children to make connections in their experiences. For example, they chat about recent autumn nature walks and a trip to see an orchestra play, while they make collage pictures and learn new songs.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are good

The childminder knows the children very well as she has cared for them since they were babies. Children are confident and behave well. The childminder encourages good table manners and social skills, such as remembering to say please and thank you. The childminder effectively teaches children about differences in society, cultures, traditions and beliefs. Children play with resources that portray positive images of diversity. They also learn about the importance of a healthy lifestyle. Meals and snacks are healthy and nutritious, and children learn that fruit and vegetables are good for them. Children frequently take part in outdoor activities and outings and they benefit from lots of fresh air and exercise.

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Outcomes for children are good

Children make good progress from their individual starting points. They are happy, motivated and enthusiastic learners. They develop good social skills and become confident communicators. Children attend toddler groups with the childminder, where they meet and interact with new adults and children and build friendships. This helps to prepare them well for the next stage in their learning, including starting nursery or school.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 590132 Local authority Essex Inspection number 1052383 Type of provision Childminder Day care type Childminder Registers Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register Age range of children 2 - 11 Total number of places 6 Number of children on roll 7

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Telephone number

The childminder was registered in 2001 and lives in Clacton-on-Sea, Essex. She operates all year round from 7am to 6pm on Monday to Friday, except for bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder provides funded early education for two-, three- and four-year- old children.

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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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