Childminder in Southend on Sea

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 are happy and contented. They explore their surroundings with great enthusiasm. Children have developed exceptionally strong bonds with the childminder and they feel safe and secure. They are eager to learn. Children are curious and energetic. For example, they happily stack multicoloured mugs and learn about different colours. Children count while they play. They delight in knocking down the stacks and are motivated to start again. Children focus on activities and enjoy the close attention of the childminder. The youngest children repeat words as she names objects and colours. They are rapidly building their language skills.

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The provision is good

Children thoroughly enjoy playing with the wide range of interesting and stimulating activities and resources provided. They develop their small-muscle skills through playing with toys. For instance, children really persist in turning a tricky small wheel on a cog. This results in a tractor engine sound. They beam with pleasure when they achieve their goal. The childminder praises them enthusiastically. Children look at a book about tractors and identify a green and blue tractor. They enjoy looking through the book and are developing an early love of reading. Children enjoy snuggling on the childminder's lap as she reads stories to them.

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need to do better?

n Partnerships with parents are excellent. Parents are thrilled with the excellent l care and support their children receive. They appreciate the communication they receive from the childminder about the progress children are making. Parents comment that the quality of care is exceptional. They are thankful for everything that the childminder does for their families. They value the fact that their children are so happy and always look forward to being with the childminder. n Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities are particularly well cared for. The childminder works closely with parents and outside agencies to help to support children's individual needs. She knows the children and families very well. The childminder quickly adapts activities and provides learning opportunities to support them. She prioritises children's happiness and well- being. n The childminder continuously looks at ways to provide new opportunities for

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need to do better?

children to learn about the world around them. She takes them on interesting outings to the local garden centre. They explore and learn about flowers and colours. Children help to pay for plants at the checkout and then take them back to plant in the garden. They are learning how things grow. Children also enjoy trips to local parks and the seaside. They visit many friends and family of the childminder. This promotes their confidence in different social situations.

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need to do better?

11 February 2020 Children learn about how they are unique and they develop an early understanding about how different people live. n The childminder keeps her knowledge up to date. She liaises with her local authority support worker to ensure that she is aware of any changes in legislation. The experienced childminder completes mandatory training and reads books and online publications. However, she does not always research training opportunities to enhance her skills and expertise in teaching the children in her care. n Children are very well behaved and considerate towards one another. They are learning to share and take turns. They are confident and easily make decisions throughout the day. However, occasionally, the childminder steps in too quickly to do things for younger children and they miss the opportunity to work out how to do it themselves. For example, when completing a puzzle, the childminder

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need to do better?

places the pieces for children before they can do it on their own. n The childminder has sensitive settling-in procedures that help children to feel at home and relaxed when they first start. She works closely with parents to find out about their care routines. Through her own observations and discussions with parents, the childminder assesses children's development. She plans activities to help children to make progress right from the start. The childminder regularly updates parents about children's progress. They work together closely. This continuity in learning helps children to thrive.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The childminder has an exceptional knowledge of different safeguarding concerns. She can confidently identify signs and symptoms that may indicate that a child is at risk of harm. She understands her responsibility to report any concerns to help to protect children. She knows where to seek advice from a range of professionals to keep children safe. The childminder regularly attends training and does more courses online. The childminder diligently checks her home to help minimise any hazards and ensure that children can play safely indoors and in the garden.

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should:

n identify training opportunities that specifically support children in the setting and build on existing teaching skills and expertise n provide children with more opportunities and time to work out how to do things for themselves.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 119418 Local authority Southend-on-Sea Inspection number 10072328 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 11 Total number of places 6 Number of children on roll 4 Date of previous inspection 27 July 2016

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder has been operating since 1986 and lives in Leigh-on-Sea, Essex. She provides care all year round from 6.45am to 6.30pm, Monday to Friday, except for bank holidays and family holidays.

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Inspection activities

n The inspector viewed all areas of the childminder's home that children use. n The inspector spoke to children and the childminder at convenient times. n The inspector and the childminder discussed children's learning and progress, and evaluated a learning activity together. n The inspector took account of parents' views through written references. n The inspector observed the childminder interacting with the children during activities.

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Inspection activities

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

11 February 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

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/ofsted

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