Childminder in Essex

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 6 January 2017 17 January 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 good use of the support from her local authority development worker, to achieve significant progress in improving the provision she offers since her previous inspection. She effectively monitors children's progress and plans a range of activities to support their development across all areas of learning.  Partnerships with parents are a key strength. The childminder and her assistant strive to provide a home-from-home environment for each child and help them quickly settle in their care.  The childminder has a secure understanding of what children need to learn next. She and her assistant regularly assess children's development, and work closely with parents to ensure all children make good progress in their learning.  The childminder and her assistant provide a varied range of interesting play experiences which ignites children's curiosity. Resources and activities are easily

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This provision is good

accessible and children confidently explore their surroundings to initiate their own learning.  Children's vocabulary and communication skills are enhanced skilfully by the childminder and her assistant during daily routines and play activities.

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It is not yet outstanding because:

 The childminder has not yet achieved highly effective partnerships with providers of some other settings that children attend to provide excellent continuity of learning.  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.

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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

 extend the partnership working with other settings that children attend, exchanging detailed information to support continuity and consistency in children's learning and promote the highest levels of progress  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.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector observed activities in the house and talked with the childminder and her assistant.  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

Safeguarding is effective. The childminder and her assistant have a secure understanding of their role and responsibilities to keep children safe and know how to report any concerns they have about children's welfare. The childminder regularly checks her premises and ensures only those areas safe and suitable for children are accessed by them. The childminder seeks the views of parents to help her to review practice and takes account of the comments they make. She implements changes they suggest to ensure she continues to meet the needs of those children who attend. Parents report that they are very satisfied with the service offered. The childminder completes her own research, and seeks out training to help her to improve her knowledge and strengthen her teaching skills.

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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 them well and closely observes them as they play. 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 and her assistant join in with children's play to enhance their learning. They give high priority to promoting children's communication and language development. For example, while supporting children to complete a jigsaw puzzle, they identify the different animals on the pieces. This helps to expand children's vocabulary by introducing words in context, therefore, embedding their new knowledge in a meaningful way.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are good

Children develop strong bonds with the childminder and her assistant and demonstrate that they feel happy and secure in their care. They talk confidently to the adults around them and show affection and trust. The childminder collects detailed information from parents about children's interests when they first start. This helps her to meet their needs well from the outset. The childminder 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. Good opportunities for outdoor physical activity contribute well to children's good health, their balance and coordination. Regular outings help children to learn about their local community.

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Outcomes for children are good

Children are making good progress in their learning given their starting points. They become active learners who are interested and curious as they develop their vocabulary, personal independence and physical skills. They are becoming more confident and self- assured as they make their own choices during play, and concentrate for prolonged periods of time while taking part in activities. 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.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 560137 Local authority Essex Inspection number 1067166 Type of provision Childminder Day care type Childminder Registers Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register Age range of children 0 - 11 Total number of places 6 Number of children on roll 15

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Name of registered person

Date of previous inspection 17 January 2013

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Telephone number

The childminder was registered in 1998 and lives in Chelmsford. The childminder works with an assistant and operates all year round from 6.30am to 6.30pm on Monday to Friday, except for 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

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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