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 Requires improvement

p.1

The provision is good

Children settle well in the childminder's home-from-home environment. They develop good attachments to the childminder and her assistant. Children develop high levels of self-esteem. The childminder praises them for their achievements and promotes their confidence during activities.

p.2

The provision is good

Children who speak English as an additional language are helped to learn English and use their home language in their play. They have good understanding and communication skills. Older children show kindness and respect to younger children. They enjoy giving them cuddles. Older children share their toys with younger children and help them to complete tasks that they are struggling with. Young children develop good large- and small-muscle skills. They pick up small board game pieces and place them in their slots. Children enjoy learning how to balance on the soft-play equipment.

p.2

The provision is good

Children develop resilience and a can-do attitude as they are encouraged to have a go and practise the skills they have learned. For example, children persevere until they manage to blow a bubble with bubble mixture. They show that they are very proud of their achievements.

p.2

need to do better?

n The childminder is committed to improving the quality of care and education she provides. She has made several improvements since the last inspection, including how she monitors her assistants' practice. The childminder has implemented a training plan for them and observes their practice regularly. Consequently, assistants have a good knowledge of how children learn. n The childminder and her assistants are positive role models to the children. They show care and kindness towards each other and use good manners. Children actively copy this and develop good social and communication skills. n Children learn to understand the world around them. They enjoy caring for the childminder's pet tortoise. Children feed him leaves and talk about how slow he walks. They learn how to use technology and learn new skills quickly. The childminder demonstrates how to use equipment such as the bubble machine. Children delight in being able to turn it on and off for themselves.

p.2

need to do better?

n The childminder and her assistant support children to be independent when using equipment such as climbing frames and when dressing themselves. However, children have fewer opportunities to make choices in their play and decide what they want to play with so that they can lead their own learning. n The childminder and her assistant get to know children and what they are capable of through regular observations. They use this information to create engaging activities that ignite children's imagination and curiosity.

p.2

need to do better?

25 August 2021 n The childminder and her assistants support children's early language development well. They speak clearly, repeat words and babbles, narrate children's play and introduce new words into their vocabulary, such as 'mesmerising'. Children who speak English as an additional language are also well supported. For example, the childminder has taught them sign language to help to reduce their frustration when communicating. n Partnerships with parents are strong. The childminder speaks with them daily about their child's development and how they can support learning at home. Parents speak highly of the childminder and her assistants and say that they would recommend her to other parents. During the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic, the childminder has kept in regular contact with parents. She ensures that they receive the support they need. n The childminder and her assistant promote children's early mathematical skills

p.2

need to do better?

well. They use numbers during everyday activities. For example, the childminder helps children to count 'one shoe, two shoes' when they put their shoes on. n Children's cultures, backgrounds and ways of life are celebrated. The childminder and her assistants support children to respect each other's similarities and differences.

p.3

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

p.3

Safeguarding

Children's safety is of high importance to the childminder and her assistant. The childminder and her assistant have a good knowledge of how to keep children safe. They understand the action to take if they have any concerns about children's welfare. The childminder's assistant is also confident in the procedure she needs to follow if she has any concerns about the childminder's practice. The childminder follows safe procedures when recruiting her assistants. She completes all the appropriate checks, requests references and promptly provides the necessary information to Ofsted. This ensures that only suitable people work with the children.

p.3

should:

n build on the opportunities that are available for young children to lead their own learning and make choices in their play.

p.3

Setting details

Unique reference number EY412743 Local authority Southend-on-Sea Inspection number 10146375 Type of provision Childminder

p.4

Registers

Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register Day care type Childminder

p.4

inspection

Total number of places 12 Number of children on roll 7 Date of previous inspection 11 February 2020

p.4

Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2010 and lives in Westcliff-on-Sea, Essex. She operates all year round from 6.30am to 6.30pm, Monday to Friday, except for bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder holds an early years qualification at level 3. At times, she works with two assistants. The childminder provides funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children.

p.4

Inspection activities

n This was the first routine inspection the childminder received since the COVID- 19 pandemic began. The inspector discussed the impact of the pandemic with the childminder and has taken that into account in their evaluation of the setting. n The inspector and the childminder had a learning walk together. The inspector observed activities in the indoor learning environment where children play and viewed all areas of the home used for childminding. n The inspector observed a focused activity and evaluated the quality of teaching with the childminder. n The inspector spoke with the childminder and children at appropriate times during the inspection. n The inspector looked at children's records and a range of other documentation, including policies and procedures. n The inspector checked evidence of the childminder's qualifications, her suitability and the suitability of other household members. n The inspector spoke to a number of parents and took account of their views.

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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

25 August 2021 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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