Childminder in Essex

Overall effectiveness Requires improvement

The quality of education Requires improvement Behaviour and attitudes Requires improvement Personal development Requires improvement Leadership and management Requires improvement Overall effectiveness at previous inspection Not applicable

p.1

The provision requires improvement

Children mostly play and learn in the newly built wooden cabin in the childminder's garden. This room is well equipped and provides a cosy and comfortable area for children to explore in. However, at times, children are left unsupervised in this room while the childminder escorts other children to the toilet. This means that children's focused attention on learning is frequently disrupted. Children behave well and understand the childminder's house rules. When minor disagreements occur, the childminder manages them well and encourages the children to take turns and consider the other person's views.

p.2

The provision requires improvement

Children enjoy their time with the childminder. They roar excitedly as their dinosaurs enter battle with each other. They delight in finding a small snail in the garden and carefully find a pot and some grass to place it in for its safety. Children learn to manage tools, such as knives, when they cut their own fruit for snack. They are helpful and take pride in helping each other. For example, they take the lunch boxes out of the fridge and hand them to the other children. Following snacks and meals, children help to wipe the table. Children are provided with good opportunities to learn about the local and wider environment. They go for walks to the library and parks and attend forest school sessions.

p.2

need to do better?

n The childminder does not make sure that all areas of the premises are suitable for childcare. She currently uses a cabin the the garden, however, there are no toilet facilities. The means some children are left unsupervised while the childminder takes other children back to the house. Additionally, there are potential hazards that the childminder has not fully considered, such as the risk of children choking while they are left alone. The childminder is unable to see or hear the children who remain in the cabin, which compromises their safety. However, when brought to the childminder's attention, she took immediate steps to ensure that children were not left alone while eating n The childminder's curriculum is not organised well. There are constant interruptions to children's learning while the childminder escorts children to the toilet. As a result, children do not develop their self-care skills effectively in

p.2

need to do better?

preparation for their next stage in development. Furthermore, their ability to concentrate and sustain their attention is hindered. n Parents speak highly of the childminder and state that they feel that their children are safe and well cared for. Some comment on the good communication between themselves and the childminder and say that they are always kept up to date about their children's progress. n Children learn about weight and numbers as they proficiently count out the required number of cups of flour, salt, oil and water to make play dough. They

p.2

need to do better?

7 October 2021 each choose the colour they want their dough to be. Some create a beautiful orange colour by mixing the red and yellow food colourings, while others want 'rainbow' coloured dough. Children chat excitedly about how the ingredients change during the process and engage in purposeful dialogue with the childminder, about whether they need more of a particular ingredient. n Children listen intently to stories. They join in with their favourite parts and chat confidently to the childminder about the pictures. The childminder extends their thinking, for example, by asking them questions and encouraging them to think about what will happen next. n Children are excited learners, for example, they show great interest when they find a small snail in the garden. The childminder engages in discussion with them about the snail. However, she misses good opportunities to really extend this learning and to provide the children with the tools to extend their knowledge

p.2

need to do better?

further. n The childminder regularly updates her childcare knowledge. She completes a wide range of training and shares new guidance and practice with other local childminders. The childminder is keen to further develop her provision, for example, by introducing more opportunities for children to develop their curiosity and intrigue. n During the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic, the childminder kept in regular contact with children and families, who were not able to attend her provision. She sent parents activity ideas that they could do at home with their children

p.3

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

p.3

Safeguarding

The childminder demonstrates a good understanding about the main types of abuse. She recognises the signs and symptoms that would alert her to a child being abused or mistreated, including being drawn into terrorism or radicalised. The childminder regularly updates her safeguarding knowledge, for example through training and research. She understands the actions she should take if she has concerns about any of the children in her care.

p.3

Due date

ensure that the premises is suitable and meets children's needs 22/10/2021

p.3

Due date

adequately supervise children, including while eating to ensure that they always remain within sight or hearing of adults. 22/10/2021

p.3

should:

n follow children's leads and provide the tools and resources for children to fully extend their learning n create a coherently planned and sequenced curriculum that provides children with opportunities to sustain their attention and takes their learning further n implement effective self-care routines that promote children's confidence, resilience and independence to fully prepare them for their next stage in development.

p.4

Setting details

Unique reference number 2544596 Local authority Essex Inspection number 10209464 Type of provision Childminder

p.5

Registers

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

p.5

inspection

Total number of places 6 Number of children on roll 18 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

p.5

Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2019. She operates all year round from 7am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, except for bank holidays and family holidays.

p.5

Inspection activities

n This was the first routine inspection the provider received since the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic began. The inspector discussed the impact of the pandemic with the provider and has taken that into account in their evaluation of the provider. n The childminder showed the inspector all areas of their premises used for childminding. n The childminder and the inspector held a discussion regarding the childminder intentions for children's learning. n Children spoke to the inspector about what they enjoy doing while with the childminder. n The inspector observed the quality of education being provided, indoors and outdoors, and assessed the impact that this was having on children's learning. n The childminder and inspector discussed an observation and how the curriculum had been implemented and the impact that this had on children's learning. n Parents provided the inspector with oral and written feedback.

p.6

Inspection activities

n The childminder provided the inspector with a sample of key documentation on request.

p.6

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.

p.6

Inspection activities

7 October 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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