Childminder in Essex

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 14 December 2016 8 July 2013

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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 has made significant progress in improving the provision she offers since her previous inspection. She effectively identifies children's next steps in learning and plans challenging activities to take account of children's preferred learning styles.  The childminder gives high priority to promoting children's communication and language development. During supportive interactions she helps to expand children's vocabulary by introducing words in context, therefore, embedding their new knowledge in a meaningful way.  The childminder knows the children in her care well and offers an informal, relaxed approach to learning. This allows children to be spontaneous in their choice of activities. They learn to be independent, are eager to explore and motivated to learn and make good progress.  The childminder provides a warm, friendly and homely provision. Children are nurtured and receive close support and care. They demonstrate they are happy and settled with

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This provision is good

the childminder, and enjoy the experiences she provides for them.  The childminder links with other settings that children attend. This enables her to provide support for children's interests and continuous learning.

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It is not yet outstanding because:

 The childminder does not always obtain detailed enough information from parents about children's skills when they first start.  The childminder has not yet given the same consideration to thoughtful planning of the outdoor environment as she does inside. This means that children who prefer to learn outdoors do not always benefit from the same stimulating learning experiences.

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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

 gather more-precise information from parents when children first start, so that children's prior achievements in all aspects of learning can be included in their starting point assessments  strengthen the planning for activities in the outdoor environment in order to help children who prefer to learn outside have the same level of stimulating experiences as provided indoors.

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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.

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management is good

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective. The childminder has a secure understanding of her role and responsibilities to keep children safe and knows how to report any concerns she has about children's welfare. She regularly checks her premises and ensures only those areas safe and suitable for children are accessed by them. The childminder shares her policies with parents so that they have a thorough understanding of how the setting is run. Parents report that they are very happy with her provision. They describe the childminder as friendly and caring and appreciate the home-from-home environment she provides. The childminder regularly undertakes training to help her keep up to date with new initiatives and to develop her teaching skills. For example, she attends training, looking at ways to support children with delayed speech and language in order to promote the development of children in her care to the best possible level.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

The childminder shows a good understanding of how children learn and develop. She knows the children well and ensures there is a good balance of planned and spontaneous play opportunities. As a result, children learn and develop well. She completes assessments of their progress to ensure that she offers them opportunities appropriate for their level of development. Activities are planned to appropriately challenge children and to move them on to their next steps in learning. The childminder joins in with children's play to enhance their learning. Children remain engaged in fun activities for long periods of time given their young age. For example, during a game of dominoes, she supports children to count and match the number of dots on each tile, warmly praising their attempts. This is one of the many ways the childminder supports children's mathematical development during play activities and daily routines.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are good

The childminder is a good role model through being happy, calm and kind towards children. She manages behaviour positively using praise and encouragement, and is consistent in her approach. She takes time to give each child individual attention so that they feel special and valued. The childminder provides children with well-balanced food and talks to them about the importance of healthy eating. She is vigilant about ensuring they maintain good hygiene procedures, such as washing their hands after toileting. Children learn how to keep themselves safe when out and about in the community as the childminder teaches them about road safety.

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Outcomes for children are good

Children are making good progress and are working comfortably within the range of development typical for their age. They are enthusiastic to learn and are eager to take on the challenges the childminder presents to them. They listen and concentrate well, given their age and follow the childminder's instructions. They learn social skills appropriate for their age and become aware of rules and boundaries they must follow. Children are prepared well for the next stage in their learning, such as school.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 560173 Local authority Essex Inspection number 1043239 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 6 Number of children on roll 12

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Telephone number

The childminder was registered in 1991 and lives in Chelmsford. She operates all year round from 7am to 7pm, Monday to Friday, except bank holidays and family holidays agreed in advance.

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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

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 .

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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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