Castle Elizabeth Anne

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 15 February 2017 30 September 2015

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This inspection: Outstanding 1

Previous inspection: Requires Improvement

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This inspection: Outstanding 1

Effectiveness of the leadership and management Outstanding 1

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This inspection: Outstanding 1

Quality of teaching, learning and assessment Outstanding 1

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This inspection: Outstanding 1

Personal development, behaviour and welfare Outstanding 1

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This provision is outstanding

 The childminder is dedicated and committed to ensuring that children receive a superb learning experience. Excellent self-evaluation now contributes towards sustained and continuous improvement and leads to outstanding outcomes for children. She regularly checks and reviews the safety and quality of the provision.  The childminder uses highly detailed observations and accurate assessment to track children's progress and to plan effective learning that meets every child's needs. She uses her assessments extremely well to ensure that any need for early intervention can be identified and support provided.  Children are extremely settled and confident within the setting, because the childminder has a precise and sensitive understanding of their needs. They show a very strong sense of security and enjoy warm and positive relationships with her.  Children thrive and learn in the warm, stimulating and exceptionally well-resourced

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This provision is outstanding

environment provided for them. Resources are easily accessible, which encourages children to make independent choices about their play. Children very rapidly gain the skills and attributes needed to be ready for school in this highly enabling environment.  The childminder has established wonderfully supportive relationships with parents. She shares comprehensive information about children's progress, and offers valuable suggestions of ways for parents to support children's learning at home.  Children's behaviour is exemplary. The childminder is an excellent role model, consistently offering praise, encouragement and support to children. She is calm and caring, her gentle attitude helps children to feel safe, secure and very well settled. They build strong emotional attachments to the childminder.

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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

 continue to focus professional development on maintaining children's already excellent outcomes.

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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 completed a joint evaluation of an activity with the childminder.  The inspector held a number of discussions with the childminder. She looked at relevant documentation and evidence of the suitability of persons living in the household.  The inspector spoke to children during the inspection.  The inspector took account of the views of parents through written feedback provided.

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management is outstanding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective. The childminder has an extremely confident and robust understanding of child protection issues. She has comprehensive policies and procedures in place which underpin all aspects of practice. The childminder is highly motivated and proactively seeks out advice and support to ensure she is up to date with current practice. This ensures her high-quality provision is maintained. A well- established programme of professional development and training is in place. The childminder identifies the potential to further extend her already excellent knowledge of how to promote children's learning and development. Partnerships with other settings children also attend are superb. The childminder shares detailed assessment records with key persons. This comprehensive, joined-up approach helps to ensure both parties identify and address any gaps in learning at the earliest opportunity.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is outstanding

The childminder uses a variety of highly effective teaching methods to support children's communication and language skills. For example, children immerse themselves in sensory play. They have a wonderful time mixing together porridge oats, water, glitter and other sensory ingredients. They explore the texture and scents of the mixture. The childminder enthusiastically engages with the children and provides excellent commentary during their play, she models language and gives children ample time to think and express themselves. The childminder's playful interactions during children's activities are excellent and contribute to them being highly motivated and fully engaged in their play. She uses fun props and excellent storytelling skills to promote children's playful engagement and enthusiasm to join in. This helps children develop the skills they need for future learning and ignites their love of learning.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are outstanding

The childminder establishes children's care needs and routines from the start. The childminder provides an enriching and exceptionally well organised learning environment that supports children's explorative and imaginative skills. Children thrive in a welcoming and relaxed environment. Their emotional well-being is exceptionally well supported. Children's physical development is promoted very well through outdoor play opportunities. The childminder provides a wide range of exciting trips and outings which enhances children's experiences enormously. Children are extremely independent at mealtimes and are highly motivated to do things for themselves during personal care routines. Children show kindness to each other and are keen to carry out small tasks, such as helping to set out the cups and plates on the picnic blanket at snack time.

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Outcomes for children are outstanding

All children are making consistent and sustained progress and any gaps in their learning are closing rapidly. They are motivated, eager learners who contribute their own ideas. Children are eager to try things for themselves, explore the environment and develop very good critical thinking and problem-solving skills.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 201983 Local authority Essex Inspection number 1058011 Type of provision Childminder Day care type Childminder Registers Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register Age range of children 3 - 4 Total number of places 6 Number of children on roll 4

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Name of registered person

Date of previous inspection 30 September 2015

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Telephone number

The childminder was registered in 1987 and lives in Great Wakering, Southend-on-Sea. She operates all year round from 8am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, except bank holidays and family holidays. She provides funded early education of 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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