Childminder in Essex

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 7 November 2016 18 October 2012

p.1

This inspection: Good 2

Effectiveness of the leadership and management Good 2

p.1

This inspection: Good 2

Quality of teaching, learning and assessment Good 2

p.1

This inspection: Good 2

Personal development, behaviour and welfare Good 2

p.1

This provision is good

 The childminder provides a welcoming and homely environment. Children settle quickly into the childminder's home. They form positive relationships with the childminder and enjoy her attention.  Assessments of children's skills are comprehensive and teaching is good. Planning for activities is based on the childminder's secure knowledge of children's needs and interests. Children learn and develop skills at a good pace.  The childminder gives high priority to promoting children's communication and language development. She speaks clearly and models effective listening skills. The childminder helps to expand children's vocabulary by introducing words in context, such as softly and loudly, as children play a range of musical instruments, helping to embed their new knowledge in a meaningful way.  Partnerships with parents are a key strength. The childminder and her assistant strive to provide a home from home for each child and help them quickly settle in their care.

p.1

This provision is good

 The childminder completes daily safety checks and regularly reviews risk assessments, including those relating to outings, to ensure she is promoting children's welfare.

p.1

It is not yet outstanding because:

 The childminder does not always focus precisely enough on monitoring and evaluating her assistant's practice and identifying specific areas for improvement so that they can help children to reach the highest levels of achievement.  The childminder has not yet achieved highly effective partnerships with providers of some other settings that children attend to provide excellent continuity of learning.

p.1

What the setting needs to do to improve further

To further improve the quality of the early years provision the provider should:

p.2

What the setting needs to do to improve further

 extend the evaluation and monitoring of the assistant's practice so that it is clearly targeted to help children reach the highest levels of achievement  extend the partnership working with other settings that children attend, exchanging more detailed information to support continuity and consistency in children's learning and promote higher levels of progress.

p.2

Inspection activities

 The inspector observed activities in the house and talked with the childminder.  The inspector and childminder jointly evaluated a teaching activity.  The inspector viewed the areas of the premises and garden used for childminding.  The inspector looked at a range of documentation, including the safeguarding procedures and evidence of suitability of household members.  The inspector took account of the written views of parents and reviewed the childminder's self-evaluation process.

p.2

Effectiveness of the leadership and management is good

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective. The childminder has a confident understanding of possible signs that could indicate that children are at risk of harm. In addition, she has a good awareness of the indicators that would suggest children are at risk of being exposed to extreme ideas about what is right and wrong. She knows how to take swift action in order to protect children's welfare in the event of a child protection concern. Parents report that they are very happy with her provision. They describe the childminder and her assistant as friendly and caring and appreciate the home-from-home environment they provide. The childminder is reflective and continuously evaluates her practice with a view to developing the service she provides even further. She completes training, reads professional publications and uses the internet to research new ideas for activities.

p.3

Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

The childminder provides a relaxed and interesting learning environment for children, who are motivated and active learners. Children remain engaged in fun activities for long periods of time, given their young age. The childminder successfully involves children when reading stories, encouraging them to turn the pages and lift up flaps, igniting their curiosity. The childminder introduces them to mathematical ideas in a fun and engaging way. Children use construction blocks to build large structures and, supported by the childminder, make good attempts at counting how many they have used. Accurate observations show how children are working consistently within the range of development typical for their age and are acquiring skills for their next steps in learning.

p.3

Personal development, behaviour and welfare are good

Children settle well and are comfortable in the care of the childminder and her assistant. Children independently access a wide range of good quality toys and activities that is well organised. The childminder is a good role model through being happy, calm and kind towards children. She manages behaviour positively through using praise and encouragement and is consistent in her approach. As a result, children's behaviour is good. She takes time to give each child individual attention, so that they feel they are special and valued. Children's good health is effectively promoted. They play outside, enjoy fresh air and learn to independently manage their hygiene. The childminder has high expectations of children and invites them to help her during routines and activities. Children love the challenge, are very confident and show good listening skills.

p.3

Outcomes for children are good

Children are making good progress in their learning, given their starting points. They are becoming more confident and self-assured as they make their own choices during play. The childminder takes children to a wide range of organised groups in the community. This helps them to develop a good understanding of the world. It also extends their personal, social and emotional skills as they meet and play with other children. These are just some of the skills that help to prepare children well for their next stage of learning and the eventual move on to school.

p.3

Setting details

Unique reference number 146879 Local authority Essex Inspection number 1059407 Type of provision Childminder Day care type Childminder Registers Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register Age range of children 0 - 11 Total number of places 12 Number of children on roll 19

p.4

Name of registered person

Date of previous inspection 18 October 2012

p.4

Telephone number

The childminder was registered in 1997 and lives in Loughton. She operates all year round from 7.30am to 6pm, Monday to Thursday, except for bank holidays and family holidays agreed in advance. The childminder works with an assistant.

p.4

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.

p.4

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.

p.4

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 reuse this information (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. To view this licence, visit www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/, write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk .

p.5

Telephone number

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our website for news, information and updates at www.ofsted.gov.uk/user.

p.5

Telephone number

T: 0300 123 4234 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ofsted

p.5