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

p.1

The provision is good

Children are happy and content. They form strong and close relationships with the childminder and her assistant. This helps children to feel safe and secure. Children thrive in their warm and loving care.

p.2

The provision is good

Children develop quickly in most areas of learning and they make good progress. For example, they are physically able, showing their skills on balancing beams. They learn how to count numbers in sequence from an early age. Older children recognise the letters in their names. They speak clearly and their language develops well as the childminder extends their vocabulary with new words and phrases. Children take a keen interest in books and stories.

p.2

The provision is good

Children sing songs heartily and perform actions to rhymes. They enjoy selecting toys from a sack and linking them to songs. Children are very excited, and laugh a lot, as the childminder produces a toy crocodile from behind her back, pretending to snap at them during the activity.

p.2

The provision is good

Children generally behave well in the setting. They are polite and well-mannered. Children are inquisitive and creative. They show great curiosity when participating in activities. Children enjoy feeling a part of the setting. They tidy away the playthings eagerly. They set out their plates and cups for lunch and their beds for nap time.

p.2

need to do better?

n The childminder provides many outdoor experiences for the children. She is mindful that the COVID-19 pandemic has limited children's opportunities to learn about people and places outside of their own home environment. The childminder is thoughtful in providing excursions for children where they can broaden their experiences and find out about the world they live in. n Children enjoy their visits to farms, zoos and sea life centres where they learn about animals and other creatures. They learn to respect and care for animals, domestic and wild. Children's caring nature was evident during the inspection when they found a tiny snail in the sand tray. Children examined it closely and gently carried it to a safe location where they placed it on leaves to feed. n The childminder shares information about children's learning with their parents. She chooses to use an electronic system to track children's progress. This

p.2

need to do better?

supports her already good knowledge of the areas of learning and helps her to identify what children need to learn next. The childminder has strong links to other settings that children attend, including schools. She prepares children for school, using imaginative resources that encourage them to participate, such as dolls dressed in school uniform.

p.2

need to do better?

19 November 2021 n Children understand the importance of washing their hands frequently. They learn to use the toilet independently and put on their coats and shoes. The childminder has a colour coding system for each child so they can identify their own blankets, plates and cups. This helps to protect them from cross-infection. The childminder has a hygiene routine and risk assessment for COVID-19 to protect children, parents and her own family. n The childminder understands how messy play with materials such as dough and sand helps children to express their feelings and develop their creativity. Children build strength in their hands and fingers when they manipulate the dough, squeezing it and rolling it into shapes. n Children enjoy the sensory texture of sand and see how it changes when they add water. They become engrossed as they fill different-shaped containers. Children develop concentration skills as they work with the sand. They marvel at

p.2

need to do better?

objects they find buried. Most children are happy to stop the activity when asked to take part in a routine story session. However, younger children protest as they are not yet ready to leave the sand and this interrupts their learning. n The childminder observes her assistant to give her support. They evaluate their training, planning and activities together. However, during planned activities, they do not always encourage children to be aware of the needs of others. For instance, when children want all of the sand and dough for themselves.

p.3

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

p.3

Safeguarding

The childminder and her assistant have recently updated their training in safeguarding. They are very aware of their responsibilities to protect the children in their care. The childminder ensures that she has all the most recent safeguarding information to hand, supplied by her local authority. She is meticulous in keeping appropriate records and knows where to report any concerns. The childminder has a clear whistle-blowing policy and follows this procedure when necessary. She is knowledgeable about many types of safeguarding matters and how to identify the signs and symptoms of abuse.

p.3

should:

n review the organisation of group activities to take appropriate account of some children's need for uninterrupted play n support staff further to develop effective techniques that help young children to practise their social skills such as sharing and turn taking.

p.3

Setting details

Unique reference number EY550894 Local authority Essex Inspection number 10174194 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 14 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

p.4

Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2017. She lives in Billericay, Essex. The childminder operates Monday to Thursday, from 7.30am until 6pm, and on Friday from 7.30am until 5.30pm. She operates all year round, except for bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder holds a relevant qualification at level 3.

p.4

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 teaching during activities, indoors and outside, and assessed the impact this has on children's learning. n The inspector gained the views of parents by reading written testimonials. n The inspector viewed relevant documentation.

p.4

Inspection activities

19 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.

p.4

Inspection activities

19 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.

p.5

Inspection activities

If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 1231, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk .

p.6

Inspection activities

You may reuse this information (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. To view this licence, visit www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/ , write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk

p.6

Inspection activities

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more information and updates: http://eepurl.com/iTrDn .

p.6

Inspection activities

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/ofsted

p.6