Childminder 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 Not applicable

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The provision is good

Children are happy. They settle quickly and form positive relationships with the childminder and her co-childminder. Children enjoy exploring the vast array of attractive resources set out on shelves for them to choose. They know where to find their favourite toys and books. Children happily tidy away their playthings to make more space when their request for different toys is granted. They play outside every day and this enhances their physical development, health and well- being.

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The provision is good

Children learn to be kind and respectful to animals in the home. They play in harmony with other children who are older or younger, and their behaviour is good. Children are imaginative and creative. They concentrate as they draw pictures on magnetic boards. Children are skilled when completing puzzles that are appropriate for their stage of development. Younger children use steady finger control as they take out and insert the pieces in a tray puzzle.

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The provision is good

Children make good progress from their starting points. They enjoy their learning and are eager to participate in activities. The youngest children begin to repeat unfamiliar words and develop their vocabulary. Children who are learning to speak English, as well as their parents' home languages, are beginning to communicate with confidence.

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need to do better?

n The childminder understands how young children learn. She keeps regular checks on their development and discusses their progress with their parents. Parents are glowing in their praise of the childminder for the care and learning their children receive. They particularly like the outdoor pursuits their children experience. n Children spend a great deal of time learning outdoors. They explore the countryside, streams and woodlands where they examine insects and plants. Children learn to identify birds and are able to describe their colours and characteristics. They remember the names of trees as they climb them and count how many they see. n The childminder provides a safe environment indoors for children where they feel comfortable and relaxed. They learn to be independent and are able to do things for themselves. The childminder is vigilant as she supervises children's activities and interactions with each other to ensure they stay safe. She teaches

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need to do better?

them about personal hygiene. n Since the COVID-19 pandemic, the childminder has served the children's food herself to prevent cross-contamination. She offers attractive platters of colourful fresh vegetables and fruit from which they can choose. Children learn about

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need to do better?

12 November 2021 food and how to make healthy choices. They wash their hands regularly and learn how to use the bathroom independently. n Children act out scenes and use their imagination well. They pretend they are working in a kitchen and tell adults and other children what they are doing. Children pretend they find the cooker broken and the childminder provides toy tools for them to fix it. She praises them for their skills and ingenuity. Children are pleased to take turns and share the toys with their friends. n The childminder evaluates her teaching as children experiment with resources provided for planned activities. During the inspection, she provided many containers of different coloured rice and utensils for children to explore, and watched as they poured and scooped the rice into bowls. Children were excited as they examined the texture of the rice and listened to the sounds as it fell from their hands. They stayed with this activity for a long time, which showed

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need to do better?

how much they enjoyed it. However, although some of the planned outcomes were achieved, the childminder realised that there was much more that could be gained from this worthwhile activity if more precise planning had been applied. n The childminder is experienced in childcare and has undertaken many training courses and workshops to improve her skills. She has good relationships with parents, and shares information about children's progress with other settings they attend to ensure consistency in their learning. The childminder provides detailed daily diaries to parents of younger children. However, she does not employ two-way strategies that promote continuity of learning between the setting and parents at home.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The childminder is fully trained in safeguarding. She keeps her knowledge up to date and ensures that she has access to the latest information. Contact details for safeguarding officials are stored away from children but are easily accessible to adults. The childminder understands her duty to protect children from harm. She knows the signs that could indicate a child is at risk and where to report it. The childminder keeps records in a confidential manner and monitors children's attendance. She is aware of a wide range of safeguarding matters and is confident in her knowledge of local safeguarding procedures.

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should:

n plan activities more precisely to ensure they achieve the desired learning outcomes for children n develop strategies that support parents to complement and extend their children's learning at home.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY559131 Local authority Essex Inspection number 10191034 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 13 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2018. She lives in Chelmsford, Essex. The childminder operates from Monday to Friday, from 6.30am until 7pm, all year round, except for bank holidays and family holidays. She holds a relevant qualification at level 3. The childminder provides funded early education for three- and four-year-old children. She works with a co-childminder.

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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 childminder and has taken that into account in the evaluation of the setting. n The childminder discussed her plans for the children's development and how she implements her educational programme. n The inspector observed the quality of education during activities and assessed the impact this has on children's learning. n The inspector spoke to children during the inspection and spoke to parents on the telephone. n The inspector viewed relevant documentation.

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Inspection activities

12 November 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

12 November 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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