Home Childcarer 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 Requires improvement

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The provision is good

Children happily play in the calm and safe, home-from-home environment. They have developed secure attachments with the childminder and her assistant; this is evident from children's cheerful and relaxed behaviour. Children make independent decisions about what they want to play with from a range of resources and activities, indoors and outside. Children confidently join in activities with enthusiasm. They enjoy squashing and kneading play dough with their fingers and using different tools to cut out shapes and make patterns. The childminder engages children in discussions about the shapes and colours they are using, to secure their understanding of mathematical concepts.

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The provision is good

Children behave well and demonstrate positive attitudes towards their learning. They show they understand the importance of sharing and turn taking through the games they play. Children use good manners as they say 'please' and 'thank you' in their conversations. Children learn to follow good hygiene routines. They know they must remember to flush the toilet and wash their hands. Children develop their large-muscle skills as they visit places such as parks and the beach.

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need to do better?

n The childminder has successfully addressed the previous inspection outcomes and made appropriate improvements. For example, she now completes the required short written summary for parents of a child's development in the prime areas between the ages of two and three years. The childminder works closely with the local authority adviser to gain support and to provide good outcomes for children. n Overall, the childminder provides children with a wide range of educational opportunities which reflect their current interests and learning. Regular observations, which link to ongoing assessment, enable her to monitor children's achievements. However, at times, the planning of activities is not ambitious enough to help children make the best possible progress. For example, planned activities are too broad and do not always focus precisely on what children need to learn next. n The childminder gathers detailed information about children's routines, likes and

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need to do better?

dislikes before they start. Parents are positive about the attention and experiences the childminder provides. They say their children are very happy in her care. However, the childminder does not consistently consider ways to work in partnership with other early years settings. This does not help to fully promote continuity in children's care and learning or support their transitions between settings. n Children's speaking and listening skills are developing very well. The childminder asks open-ended questions to help children think for themselves and she gives

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need to do better?

15 October 2021 them time to respond. For example, when completing an art activity, the children mix colours when painting and they talk about how yellow and red make orange. n Children are provided with lots of opportunities within the daily routines to be independent. For example, they choose what they want to play with and help to tidy away toys. Children have a go at putting on their coats before going outside. They know and understand why they should wash their hands and do so competently with little support. n The childminder supports aspects of children's understanding of the world well. For example, children enjoy daily outings to the park and visits to local places of interest to help them learn about the community they live in. The childminder supports children's knowledge of other families' faiths, lifestyles and cultures that are outside of their own experiences. n The childminder has a good understanding of what children need to learn before

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need to do better?

they go to school. She builds on their knowledge of number through counting, addition and subtraction. Children are supported to make marks using different tools and learn to read their name. n The childminder and her assistant work effectively as a team. They review their practice daily and evaluate their work. Regular supervision ensures the childminder's assistant has a good understanding of her role, and regular training is obtained to seek professional development.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

Both the childminder and her assistants have a good understanding of how to keep children safe and protected from harm and abuse. They are aware of the categories of abuse and understand the referral procedure. Robust arrangements are in place to check that all adults are suitable to have contact with children. The childminder knows what to do if an allegation is made against herself, an assistant or a family member. She keeps herself up to date with any changes in legislation and attends safeguarding training. The childminder completes robust risk assessments for her home and any outings she takes children on. This helps to ensure that children remain safe.

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should:

n review and develop ongoing planning to provide an ambitious curriculum that focuses precisely on what children need to learn next n develop partnership working with other providers, to enhance children's transitions between settings and promote greater continuity in their care and learning.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY288541 Local authority Essex Inspection number 10145339 Type of provision Childminder

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Registers

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

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inspection

Total number of places 6 Number of children on roll 9 Date of previous inspection 24 January 2020

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2004. She operates all year round, from 7am to 7pm, Monday to Friday, except for bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder works with childminding assistants. The childminder provides funded education for three-year-old children.

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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 provider and has taken that into account in their evaluation of the childminder. n The childminder showed the inspector the areas of her home that children access. They discussed how the childminder plans and provides activities for children. n The childminder and the inspector spoke about the communication that the childminder has with parents. n The inspector obtained parents' views through discussion and written feedback. n The childminder shared some documents with the inspector, including evidence of the suitability of persons working as assistants. n Children spoke to the inspector about things they do at the childminder's home. n The childminder and the inspector completed a joint observation together.

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Inspection activities

15 October 2021 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

15 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

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