Blundell, Zoe Marie 18 Lordsome Road, Heysham, MORECAMBE, Lancashire, LA3 1JB Inspection date Previous inspection date The quality and standards of the early years provision 4 May 2016 5 November 2013 This inspection: Outstanding 1 Previous inspection: Requires Improvement 3 Effectiveness of the leadership and management Outstanding 1 Quality of teaching, learning and assessment Outstanding 1 Personal development, behaviour and welfare Outstanding 1 Outcomes for children Outstanding 1 Summary of key findings for parents This provision is outstanding Since the last inspection, the childminder has made significant improvements that have had an extremely beneficial impact on raising outcomes for children. The childminder's systems for self-evaluation are highly effective in achieving substantial and sustained improvement. The childminder is skilled, experienced and an inspirational teacher. She has a comprehensive understanding of how children learn, and uses her wealth of skills to maximise children's learning at every opportunity. All children make excellent progress in their learning. The highly engaging, extremely well-resourced learning environment is entirely dedicated to supporting children's freedom of choice and fostering their exploratory instincts. Children have access to a wealth of interesting and innovative resources and play experiences that greatly support their learning across all areas. The childminder supports and promotes children's communication and language development exceptionally well. She uses an extensive range of teaching techniques to skilfully question and promote children's early speaking and listening skills. All partnerships in place are extremely well established and make a significant contribution to meeting children's needs. There is a consistent two-way flow of communication and children benefit highly from an entirely collaborative approach to their care and development. Parents are entirely involved in their children's learning in all areas. The childminder is exceptionally warm and nurturing towards children and meets their emotional and physical needs particularly well. Children form secure emotional attachments, providing a very strong base for their independence and confidence to explore and learn.
Inspection report: Blundell, Zoe Marie, 4 May 2016 2 of 5 What the setting needs to do to improve further To further improve the quality of the early years provision the provider should: extend the already excellent opportunities children have to develop their mathematical language to an even higher level. Inspection activities The inspector observed teaching and the impact this has on children's learning during freely chosen play and planned activities. The inspector spoke to the childminder and children at appropriate times during the inspection. The inspector conducted a joint observation with the childminder and assessed the accuracy of her evaluation. The inspector viewed children's records, planning documentation and a range of other documentation, such as, policies, procedures and the self-evaluation document. The inspector took account of the views of parents from comments on progress documentation. Inspector Katie Sparrow
Inspection report: Blundell, Zoe Marie, 4 May 2016 3 of 5 Inspection findings Effectiveness of the leadership and management is outstanding The arrangements for safeguarding are effective. The childminder has a comprehensive knowledge and understanding of her role in keeping children safe. She is entirely alert to potential signs of abuse and knows the reporting procedures to follow in the event of a concern. The childminder is fully committed to delivering outstanding practice and achieves this through highly effective, ongoing professional development. For example, since the last inspection, the childminder has completed a childcare qualification. She has also attended a wealth of other relevant training, using her knowledge extremely well to influence her practice. The childminder works very closely with her assistant, whom she provides regular support and mentoring, to ensure the highest possible standards are maintained. Rigorous monitoring of children's progress helps the childminder to very swiftly identify any gaps in their learning. Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is outstanding High-quality observations and precise assessments inform extremely detailed group and individual planning, that is then robustly monitored. Gaps in children's learning quickly narrow and children make rapid progress across all areas of learning. The childminder uses her expert skills and knowledge to plan an exceptional range of highly stimulating and challenging activities and experiences that capture children's interests and keep them motivated to learn. For example, children become engrossed in a balancing activity using scales, and display superb mathematical skills as they compare, estimate and problem solve. The childminder provides an excellent narrative and asks well-posed questions. Although, occasionally, she does not use mathematical language to help children make connections in their learning. Children seek out challenge from the environment and available resources. They relish in showing off their reading skills as they refer to labels and print in the environment, and skilfully decode and blend simple words. Personal development, behaviour and welfare are outstanding Children thrive in the highly stimulating and extremely positive environment. Children's emotional and physical well-being is central to the childminder's practice. She is highly skilled in ensuring children form close and secure attachments from early on, helping them to settle quickly and develop very high levels of confidence. Children have an excellent understanding of how to keep themselves safe and demonstrate superb risk assessment skills. For example, they competently seek out ways to help them dismount from the trampoline safely. The childminder promotes high standards of hygiene and healthy lifestyles extremely well. They engage in high-quality discussions about the benefits of healthy eating and the effects of different foods on their body. Outcomes for children are outstanding Children are enthusiastic, highly motivated and inquisitive learners. They persevere with tasks, think of solutions to simple problems and learn through trial and error. Children demonstrate exceptionally positive behaviour and high levels of self-control and cooperation. They make outstanding progress in all areas of learning and are exceptionally well prepared for their next stage of learning, including school.
Inspection report: Blundell, Zoe Marie, 4 May 2016 4 of 5 Setting details Unique reference number Local authority EY408708 Lancashire Inspection number 1043308 Type of provision Day care type Registers Age range of children 0-4 Total number of places 12 Number of children on roll 17 Name of provider Childminder Childminder Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register Zoe Marie Blundell Date of previous inspection 5 November 2013 Telephone number 07817656934 The childminder was registered in 2010 and lives in Heysham near Morecombe. She operates all year round, from 9am to 4pm, Monday to Friday, except for bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder holds an appropriate qualification at level 3 and works with an assistant. 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. Any complaints about the inspection or the report should be made following the 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.
Inspection report: Blundell, Zoe Marie, 4 May 2016 5 of 5 The Office for Standards in Education, Children's Services and Skills (Ofsted) regulates and inspects to 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. 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. This publication is available at www.ofsted.gov.uk/resources/120354. Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our website for news, information and updates at www.ofsted.gov.uk/user. Piccadilly Gate Store St Manchester M1 2WD T: 0300 123 4234 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ofsted Crown copyright 2015