Katy Anna Woodhams

Overall effectiveness Outstanding

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

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The provision is outstanding

Children settle extremely quickly. They thoroughly enjoy their time in the childminder's affectionate and nurturing care. Children form close attachments to the childminder. They build good relationships with her family and other children in the setting. This helps them to feel safe and secure. Children experience a very strong sense of belonging as they find their name and photos in the hallway when they arrive. They know they are welcome as they place their personal possessions in their own labelled baskets. Children begin to understand their emotions when they identify various facial expressions on a display. They talk to the childminder about the way they are feeling.

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The provision is outstanding

Children's behaviour is exemplary. They understand the expectations, rules and routines of the setting. They are polite and courteous. Children exhibit extremely high levels of imagination and curiosity. They excitedly explore the attractive resources provided to help them to learn. Children are very happy in the setting and are frequently laughing in conversation with the childminder.

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The provision is outstanding

Children are confident. They are eager to try new things. They eagerly investigate the extremely imaginative and intriguing activities with enthusiasm and glee. Children become critical and creative thinkers when they experiment with the natural materials available.

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need to do better?

n Children develop exceptional language and communication skills. The childminder increases their vocabulary by describing their play and engaging them in conversation. She listens to children carefully and reacts quickly with relevant resources to support their spontaneous comments. For example, as children talk about making a house of bricks, the childminder introduces a story about three little pigs and they run excitedly to fetch the toy wolf to pretend to blow the house down. n The childminder knows the children incredibly well. She understands what they need to learn. She asks the parents for their views on their children's abilities. This helps her to form a secure initial assessment of their needs. She accurately identifies gaps in children's learning and plans her highly effective curriculum to ensure they make exceedingly rapid progress. The childminder builds her curriculum around children's interests to encourage them to engage in her well-

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need to do better?

planned activities. She reacts immediately to children's spontaneous use of resources to develop their creativity and imagination. n The childminder knows when to support children's learning and when to wait and observe. This gives children the freedom to explore and experiment. They find out for themselves how different resources work together. For instance,

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need to do better?

22 October 2021 they mix ingredients into a cauldron to make a witch's brew for Halloween. They discover what happens when they add vinegar to baking soda and watch in fascination as it bubbles and fizzes. The childminder asks them to describe what is happening to promote their understanding. n Children develop excellent hand-to-eye coordination. They use their fingertips to pick up small objects. Children are skilled in the use of tweezers and tongs to grasp larger objects. They manipulate dough and discuss the ingredients they use to make it. Children talk about the colours and fragrance. They squeeze the dough hard in their hands, helping to strengthen their fingers in readiness for early writing. n The childminder builds strong and effective relationships with parents. She involves them fully in their children's learning. She sends home excellent learning packs to extend and enhance children's learning. The childminder works

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need to do better?

closely in partnership with parents to support children's transitions to different settings and schools. She is exceptionally active in seeking to share information with other settings to maintain a high level of consistency for children's care and learning. n Children have exceptional outdoor learning opportunities, exploring local parks and woods. They expertly identify birds with their binoculars. They learn how to care for others by supporting charity events and tending a community garden. Children learn about protecting the environment. They go out 'litter picking' and learn about the importance of recycling. Children become independent extremely quickly. They are skilled at managing their own personal hygiene and keeping others safe. The childminder ensures children receive a healthy diet and supports busy parents with menu plans and ideas for packed lunches. n The childminder is highly ambitious. She continually advances her own

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need to do better?

professional skills. She evaluates the extensive training she undertakes and assesses how well it helps to enhance the effectiveness of her provision. She regularly seeks the views of parents and children to help her to make continuous improvements to her setting.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The childminder is conscientious in regularly refreshing her safeguarding training. She continually ensures that her knowledge is current and she has all the information and procedures in place to maintain a safe and secure setting for children and their parents. She has an exceptionally wide understanding of all safeguarding matters including how to identify types of abuse and signs that could indicate that a child is at risk of harm. She reviews her policies regularly and is fully aware of local safeguarding procedures. The childminder has an excellent understanding of how to record and report any concerns about children's well- being and safety.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY554383 Local authority Essex Inspection number 10174417 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 5 Number of children on roll 4 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2017. She lives in Brentwood, Essex. The childminder operates from Monday to Friday, from 7.45am until 5pm, all year round, except for bank holidays and family holidays. She holds an appropriate childcare qualification at level 3.

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Inspection activities

n This was the first routine inspection the provider 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 provision. n The inspector observed the areas of the setting available to children. n The childminder explained her intentions for the children's development and how she plans and implements her educational programme. 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 spoke to children during the inspection and took account of the views of parents by reading written testimonials.

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Inspection activities

22 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

22 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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