Bloomfield, Lauren

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 demonstrate that they feel happy and safe in this caring, homely environment. Children have adapted readily to changes in routines due to the COVID-19 pandemic. They now confidently leave their parents at the gate. New children settle quickly with a cuddle and reassurance, which supports children's well-being.

p.2

The provision is good

Children readily lead their own play and learning. They are familiar with the childminder's setting. They confidently explore the resources and toys, and happily play with their chosen activity. For example, they play in the Christmas-themed coloured rice and pasta. They use tweezers to pick up the pom-poms to help develop fine motor skills. The childminder praises the children's efforts, which helps to promote their self-confidence during activities.

p.2

The provision is good

Children are given fantastic opportunities to build on their awareness of the wonders of nature in the world around them. For example, they attend beach school, where they join in with inspiring activities to learn about and experience nature. They can practise their weighing and measuring skills, and compare patterns on shells they find. This helps to promote basic mathematical concepts. Children develop good social skills as they meet with other childminders and their children at soft-play centres or the local toy lending library.

p.2

need to do better?

n The childminder knows the children well and talks confidently about them. She monitors their progress and has clear targets for what she wants the children to learn next. She knows where they are in their learning and provides activities that she knows the children are interested in. This helps children to sustain their concentration and engage deeply in activities. As a result, children make good progress from their starting points. n The childminder supports children's critical thinking skills effectively. For example, when children build houses from magnetic shapes, she encourages them to solve problems when they run out of resources. Children then adapt their structures to ensure their models are complete. The childminder extends their knowledge about the different types of roofs, using words, such as 'pitched' and 'flat', to help them deepen their vocabulary. n The childminder displays books attractively but does not encourage children to

p.2

need to do better?

access them at all times or regularly read to them. This does not best help children develop a love of books, or foster their communication and language skills. n Children's behaviour is good. The childminder has high expectations of children's behaviour, which is age-appropriate. Children use good manners and play well

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need to do better?

30 November 2021 together. Older children understand the needs of younger children. They affectionately play, sing and tickle with them as they enjoy their time together. Older children ensure the environment is safe and free of hazards when babies are around. For instance, they sweep the floor to ensure there are no small objects left behind. n Children enjoy home-cooked meals, fresh fruit and vegetables as part of a healthy and balanced diet. They enjoy being with each other and talking to the childminder as they eat their snacks and meals together. These are positive and social experiences for children, helping them to feel a strong sense of belonging. n The childminder forms strong partnerships with parents. There is a good two- way exchange of information about their children's learning. This helps the childminder to ensure that her assessments are accurate. Parents indicate that they are happy with the service offered and quote that they 'are provided with a

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need to do better?

complete picture of their child's day'. n The childminder undertakes regular training initiatives to further enhance her own professional development. She uses these to strengthen her practice. For example, she has completed a course on oral health and has used this to support parents with teeth brushing at home. The childminder uses self- evaluation well to help her continually assess all areas of her provision, making adaptations to suit the needs of the children. n Children develop an awareness of good hygiene routines from an early age. For example, they use separate hand towels to help minimise the risk of cross- infection. Older children manage all hygiene routines independently.

p.3

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

p.3

Safeguarding

The childminder fully understands her responsibilities to safeguard children and to protect their welfare. She is aware of the possible signs and indicators which may suggest a child is at risk of abuse or neglect. The childminder understands what to do if there was an allegation made against herself or household members. For example, she would notify the designated officer from the local authority. She has attended training to build upon her knowledge and understanding of some wider safeguarding issues, such as the 'Prevent' duty. She has clear procedures to follow should she have concerns about a child's well-being.

p.3

should:

n develop children's love of stories and books to further support their communication and language development.

p.3

Setting details

Unique reference number EY560497 Local authority Essex Inspection number 10190493 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 6 Number of children on roll 6 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

p.4

Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2018 and lives in Brightlingsea. She operates all year round from 7am to 5.30 pm, Monday to Thursday, except for bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder holds an appropriate early years qualification at degree level. She provides funded early education for two-, three- and four-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 childminder and has taken that into account in her evaluation of the setting. n The childminder showed the inspector the premises and discussed how she ensures these are are safe and suitable. n The childminder and the inspector had a learning walk together to discuss the childminder's intentions for children's learning. n The inspector spoke with the childminder at appropriate times throughout the inspection. She observed an activity and jointly evaluated this with the childminder. n The inspector observed the quality of teaching during activities and assessed the impact this has on children's learning. n The inspector spoke to parents and also took account of written feedback. n The inspector looked at relevant documentation, including evidence of the

p.5

Inspection activities

suitability of all those living in the household. She also sampled documentation, including children's records and evidence of paediatric first-aid training.

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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

30 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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