Childminder in Southend on Sea

Overall effectiveness Good

The quality of education Good Behaviour and attitudes Good Personal development Good Leadership and management Good Overall effectiveness at previous inspection Good

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The provision is good

The childminder and her co-childminder offer a welcoming environment where children are very eager to play and explore. Children settle quickly into the childminders' care and demonstrate a strong sense of belonging. The childminder develops very close relationships with the children. They show that they feel safe and secure with her. The childminder takes time to get to know children's likes and dislikes, routines and interests. Children are learning to cooperate as they play together and develop friendships with each other. The childminder offers lots of praise and reassurance to help children manage their own feelings and behaviours. All children behave very well and use good manners.

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The provision is good

Children have access to a wide range of experiences and resources, both indoors and outdoors. Babies and young children have regular opportunities to develop their senses through exploration. For example, they thoroughly enjoy playing with sand, and explore this by using sieves, funnels and scoops. Children are beginning to count and identify numbers and colours. For example, they use tally charts to record how many insects and small animals they see in the woods. Children thoroughly enjoy counting the eggs and weighing the ingredients to make their birthday cakes. They are gaining the skills they need for their future learning and for starting school.

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need to do better?

n The childminder and her co-childminder work well as a team. They interact positively and enthusiastically with the children and get to know them very well. The childminder discusses the children's routines, interests and abilities with parents before their children start. She uses this information to plan for children's next steps in learning. Children achieve well and enjoy their time with the childminder. n Children thoroughly enjoy looking at books and listening to stories. The childminder chooses books that link to children's current interests. She encourages them to use their imagination. For example, when listening to a story about holidays, children pretend to put their cases on the scanning machines at the airport. The childminder introduces them to words, such as 'luggage' and 'passport'. This helps to promote children's communication and language skills. n The childminder plans interesting experiences and activities that help to build on

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need to do better?

children's knowledge and skills. For example, they enjoy using different media, such as crayons and pens, to develop their mark-making skills. Children concentrate well and are proud of their drawings. n Children have regular trips out into their local community. For example, the current theme about holidays includes visits to the local beach and sea-life

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need to do better?

22 April 2022 centre and a trip in a sailing boat. Children enjoy rides on the pier train and open-top bus. The childminder makes good use of the local library, playgroups and parks. These activities help to widen children's experiences and develop their social skills. n The childminder talks about the importance of safety throughout the daily routines. For example, children learn how to use knives safely to cut up their strawberries and grapes at snack time. On outings, children know why they must stay close to the childminder. They learn how to cross the road safely. Children learn to manage risks for themselves, such as playing on the equipment at the park. n Children are encouraged to have healthy lifestyles. They learn about the importance of good hygiene practices, such as regularly washing their hands. The childminder provides healthy, home-cooked meals and snacks. Children have many opportunities to develop their physical skills and get plenty of fresh

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need to do better?

air. They love to play in the childminder's well-resourced garden and go on 'scavenger hunts' in the local woods. n Parents are very happy with the childminder's provision. They describe her as 'fantastic' and say that they would thoroughly recommend her. The childminder shares regular information with parents about their children's progress. This enables them to support their children's learning at home. n The childminder completes all mandatory training, including first aid and safeguarding children. However, she does not always make the most of other ongoing training opportunities to update her existing knowledge and teaching skills.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The childminder and her co-childminder have a good knowledge of procedures to follow should they be concerned about a child's welfare. They work well together to help keep children safe. The childminder has completed suitable training and has a very good knowledge of all aspects of safeguarding. She understands the referral procedures well and how to report any concerns about a child's welfare. The childminder has a good understanding of wider safeguarding issues, such as radicalisation, grooming and online safety. She implements her robust policies and procedures very well, including keeping children safe during the COVID-19 pandemic.

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should:

n extend the use of further training opportunities to strengthen existing knowledge and teaching skills.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY453948 Local authority Southend-on-Sea Inspection number 10106157 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 4 Number of children on roll 15 Date of previous inspection 3 July 2014

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2012 and lives in Westcliff-on-Sea, Essex. She operates from 7.30am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, all year round, except for bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder currently works with a co-childminder and an assistant. She holds qualified teacher status. The childminder provides funded early years 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 their evaluation of the setting. n The childminder showed the inspector the areas of her home that children access. They discussed how the childminder organises her setting and plans the curriculum and experiences for children. n The childminder shared a sample of documents with the inspector. This included evidence of training and the suitability of those living on the premises. n The inspector observed children and the childminder taking part in activities and assessed the impact this has on children's learning. The inspector and the childminder reflected on a learning experience for children. n Children spoke to the inspector about what they enjoy doing at the childminder's house. n The inspector took account of the views of parents from written feedback

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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

22 April 2022 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

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

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