Childminder in Essex

Overall effectiveness Good

The quality of education Good Behaviour and attitudes Good Personal development Good Leadership and management Good Overall effectiveness at previous inspection Good

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The provision is good

Children develop close relationships with the childminder. They demonstrate that they feel happy, safe and settled in her care. Children are confident to try new things and show good levels of curiosity and motivation. The childminder makes learning fun and gives continual praise and encouragement. This helps children to persevere and develop new skills.

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The provision is good

Children are polite and behave well. The childminder is a positive role model and has high expectations for all children. She encourages children to share toys, take turns during games and to be kind to each other. Children develop close friendships and play harmoniously together. They laugh and giggle as they join in songs and games with the childminder. Younger children develop their independence at mealtimes as they learn to use cutlery safely and carefully chop bananas for snack.

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The provision is good

Children have good opportunities to develop their understanding of the world. The childminder also broadens children's awareness of the wider community. For example, they look at books that portray positive images of diversity. They visit community groups and the library where they can socialise with different people.

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need to do better?

n The childminder provides a good range of activities in tune with children's next steps in learning. She promotes their individual interests well. For example, children spend time exploring different cars and vehicles. They make roads and tracks with the childminder and count and sort the small cars by colour and size. Children develop their mathematical skills further as they play games where they learn to match and name different shapes. n The childminder extends children's language and communication skills continually. She asks them what they are doing during their play and encourages them to think and solve problems. Children develop their vocabulary as they remember and talk about the animals they see when they visit the zoo. They choose their favourite songs, and count and calculate when singing number rhymes. Books and stories are shared frequently. Children enjoy sensory play and describe the texture of play dough as 'sticky' and 'soft'.

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need to do better?

n The childminder provides a wide variety of good-quality toys and resources. However, younger children are not always able to easily select additional play materials in order to help extend their own ideas and support their growing independence further. n The childminder has established strong partnerships with parents. She shares a range of information each day, including photographs of children engaged in various activities. The childminder keeps parents well informed about their

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need to do better?

13 January 2020 child's development. She also provides ideas for parents about how they can further support children's learning at home. n Parents say they are very happy and speak extremely highly about the childminder and the activities she provides for children. They comment that she is kind, loving and approachable, yet professional and responsible, and say their children adore her. n The childminder encourages children to adopt healthy lifestyles successfully. She provides nutritious meals and snacks and caters for special dietary requirements. Children have daily opportunities to be physically active in the garden and on outings. They visit local parks, farms and the zoo where they have ample space to move energetically and develop their awareness of the natural world. n The childminder carries out daily checks to ensure that her home and outings are safe. She encourages children to help tidy away toys to prevent tripping

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need to do better?

hazards and talks to them about road safety. The childminder ensures that information about children's accidents and injuries is appropriately recorded and promptly shared with parents. n The childminder keeps her mandatory qualifications and training up to date. She also carries out research to discover new activity ideas. The childminder regularly links with other childminders to update her childcare knowledge, share best practice and continually improve the quality of care and education she provides.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The childminder keeps up to date with changes in safeguarding legislation. She has a secure understanding of how to monitor and report any concerns about a child's welfare. The childminder knows the possible signs and symptoms that indicate a child is at risk of harm, such as being exposed extreme behaviour or views. She ensures that children play in a safe, clean and well-maintained environment. The childminder understands the potential dangers regarding mobile phones, cameras and social media. She makes sure these risks are reduced in her setting.

p.3

should:

n enhance opportunities for younger children to independently select their toys and decide on the resources they need to help them extend their own ideas for their chosen activity.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 141145 Local authority Essex Inspection number 10062894 Type of provision Childminder

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Registers

Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register Day care type Childminder Age range of children 1 to 10 Total number of places 6 Number of children on roll 24 Date of previous inspection 30 October 2015

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 1993 and lives in Braintree, Essex. She operates all year round from 7am to 6.30pm, Monday to Thursday, except for bank holidays and family holidays agreed in advance.

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Inspection activities

n The inspector observed the quality of teaching during activities indoors and outdoors and assessed the impact this has on children's learning. n The inspector viewed the ground floor of the premises and held a discussion with the childminder to understand how the early years provision and curriculum are organised. n The inspector carried out an observation of a focused activity with the childminder and held discussions with the children at appropriate times during the inspection. n The inspector viewed a sample of documents, including evidence of qualifications and the suitability of the childminder and her family. n The inspector took account of the views of parents from their written responses to a survey organised by the childminder.

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Inspection activities

13 January 2020 We carried out this inspection 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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Inspection activities

13 January 2020 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 and Support Service (Cafcass), schools, colleges, initial teacher training, further education and skills, 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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Inspection activities

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Inspection activities

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Inspection activities

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Inspection activities

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