Childminder in Southend on Sea

Overall effectiveness Outstanding

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

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The provision is outstanding

Children are extremely happy and truly flourish in the childminder's care. They display a very strong sense of belonging in her home. Children are proud to show visitors around and explain how they use different areas of the house for play and learning. The childminder has complete confidence that all children can develop high levels of independence. From a young age, children very clearly have a 'can- do' attitude to learning and self-care skills. They are proud to show their excellent skills, such as how they can use knives to chop fruit. Children tidy away toys with enthusiasm, taking great care to make sure everything is put back in the correct place.

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The provision is outstanding

Children benefit enormously from fresh air and active play. They spend considerable amounts of time in the garden. Children enjoy spooning used coffee grounds onto the plants. They talk about how this feeds the plants and that they also need water to drink. Children have opportunities for practising their early writing skills. They use water and brushes to make marks on a large scale on the fence. Reaching up and bending low challenges their muscles to work and grow strong. Children have a great awareness of others. They talk warmly about their friends who are not present and build caring relationships with each other. Children have impeccable behaviour.

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need to do better?

n The highly qualified childminder plans a well-structured curriculum that builds on what children already know and can do. The childminder gains substantial information from parents, when children first start with her. This enables her to have first-rate knowledge of what children need to master next and how they like to learn. She plans wonderful learning opportunities that keep children enthralled and enthusiastic in their play and learning. n The childminder gives the highest priority to supporting children's communication and language skills. Children constantly talk about what they are doing and ask probing questions. The childminder models taking turns in conversations and introduces new vocabulary. This creates a language-rich environment that is full of high-class conversations between the children and adults, and between the children and each other. n Partnerships with parents are highly successful. Parents describe the childminder

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need to do better?

as 'exceptional'. They say that they are amazed at how well their children settled with her and that they completely thrive under her care. Parents state that they have a very good understanding of how their children are learning and developing. n The childminder uses books as a superb teaching resource. Children sit quietly, enthralled in stories. They show their understanding of the sequence of events

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need to do better?

10 May 2022 as they answer the childminder's carefully crafted questions. The childminder plans excellent activities to make stories come alive. For example, she provides props and resources so that children can act them out. Children join in with enthusiasm and show their high level of understanding as they eagerly anticipate what will happen next. The childminder's sensitive piano playing adds a further dramatic effect. n Children are making excellent progress. The childminder uses her extensive knowledge gained from being a teacher to support children expertly when moving on to school. Children enjoy taking learning bags home. These contain a book for parents to share with them and an activity. The childminder carefully plans these activities to support the areas where children need to further develop their skills. She is also proactive in working in partnership with other early years settings that the children attend. This promotes superb continuity in

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need to do better?

children's learning. n The childminder is exceptionally passionate about the service she provides. She carries out wide-ranging research and training to continually develop her professional skills. The childminder is extremely reflective and she skilfully identifies areas that can be further enhanced to maintain her already high- quality provision. She talks about researching different philosophies on learning and explains the changes she has made to her teaching practice. For example, the childminder now provides more natural resources with no fixed learning purpose. This enables children to be highly creative and imaginative in their play.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The childminder has a comprehensive, up-to-date knowledge of safeguarding matters. She is aware of the signs and symptoms that may indicate that a child is at risk of harm or extremist views or behaviours. The childminder knows how to refer concerns about children's welfare. She is very efficient and highly organised and works relentlessly to keep abreast of the wider safeguarding remit through completing training and research. The childminder has comprehensive policies and procedures that she uses to meticulously support her excellent practice. She shares these with parents to enable them to have the best possible knowledge of her role and responsibility to keep children safe.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY272289 Local authority Southend-on-Sea Inspection number 10137548 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 5 Date of previous inspection 1 October 2015

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2003 and lives in Leigh-on-Sea. She operates all year round from 7.30am to 6pm, Monday to Thursday, except for bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder offers funded early education to eligible two-, three- and four-year-old children. The childminder holds an appropriate qualification at level 6 and is a qualified teacher.

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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 childminder. n The inspector looked at the areas of the home that are used for childcare and discussed with the childminder how she operates her practice and implements her curriculum. n The inspector observed the childminder joining in activities with children and discussed the learning that was taking place with her. They discussed the needs of individual children and talked about the progress they are making. n A sample of documents was looked at by the inspector, including the suitability of household members and safeguarding and complaints policies and procedures. n The inspector took into account the views of parents and discussed the childminder's reflections of her practice with her.

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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

10 May 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

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