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 exceptionally happy and secure at this nurturing setting. Their welfare is at the heart of everything the childminder does. Children settle exceptionally well and they have very strong attachments to the childminder. They are clearly familiar with the well-organised and consistent care routines that help them to feel safe and secure. Children flourish in independence as they manage their own personal needs. They benefit enormously from uninterrupted play and show remarkable levels of concentration, as they focus on mastering new skills. Children become engrossed in exploring the texture of chalk in their hands. They discover how to make new colours as the chalk dust mixes.

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The provision is outstanding

Children's behaviour is exemplary. They are exceptionally polite and compassionate. They demonstrate an overwhelmingly impressive level of kindness towards each other and the childminder. Children's eyes light up as the childminder is incredibly animated and brings their favourite action songs to life with puppets. Their voice is valued as they suggest different animals to include in the song.

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need to do better?

n The childminder plans a challenging and ambitious curriculum that is tailored precisely for the individual needs and interests of children. She has an excellent knowledge of how children learn and links and overlaps many activities so that learning is embedded. For instance, children experience an abundance of opportunities to make marks using innovative methods. They regularly visit a special tree in the local community and use sticks to draw lines and shapes in the earth underneath it. They extend and build on their marks on future visits. Children rapidly develop the small muscles in their hands in preparation for writing. n The childminder is very successful in supporting children with special educational needs and/or disabilities. She fully includes parents in assessing what their children need to thrive. The childminder implements successful strategies in partnership with external agencies and those she has learnt from targeted

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need to do better?

training and research. Consequently, children benefit from a fully joined-up approach that leads to the best possible outcomes. n Children are incredibly kind-hearted. They rapidly build strong friendships and show their affection for one another, through gentle hugs. This is because the childminder places huge emphasis on respect and how to treat others. n The childminder is very attuned to children's individual care needs and meets these extremely sensitively. As children get tired, they snuggle up to her and enjoy periods of quiet time and rest in the cosy, comfy and homely environment. This means they fall asleep contently. n The childminder is impressive in the way she supports children to make healthy

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need to do better?

12 May 2022 choices. She engages children in cooking activities and food preparation to further encourage them to try new things and explore different tastes and textures. Children visit an allotment to plant and care for vegetables. The childminder expertly weaves the promotion of healthy choices into the stories and resources children access. n The inspirational childminder recognises the important need for children to socialise with others to help close any gaps in learning that may have developed during the COVID-19 pandemic. Children attend organised groups with the childminder and regularly meet with a close network of childminders, and the children they care for. This has an excellent impact on children's social skills. Children grow in confidence from the experience of interacting in larger groups. n Partnerships with parents are exemplary. Relationships are warm and trusting. Parents praise the childminder for being a conscientious and compassionate

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need to do better?

lady. The childminder uses an app and daily face-to-face meetings to involve parents in everything the children are learning. This close partnership allows learning to continue when the children are at home. The childminder's excellent communication with staff at other settings that the children attend is highly effective. This supports children's continuity of learning. n The childminder maintains an extremely ambitious vision and is highly reflective of the service she offers. She completes an extensive range of training to further enhance her knowledge and skills. The childminder makes sure that she consistently implements her new knowledge in her practice. Recent training is having a very positive impact on enhancing children's communication and language skills.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The childminder is extremely committed to ensuring children are safeguarded from harm. She has a superb understanding of local safeguarding arrangements. She knows the correct procedures to follow if she has concerns about the welfare of a child or if any allegations were to be made against a member of her household. The childminder ensures that she keeps herself up to date with a wide range of safeguarding training. Robust procedures are in place to ensure only authorised individuals are permitted to collect children. The childminder supports parents to keep children safe online and provides guidance about food that poses a choking risk.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY452015 Local authority Southend-on-Sea Inspection number 10137477 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 7 Date of previous inspection 13 March 2013

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2012 and lives in Westcliff-on-Sea. She operates from 8am until 6pm, Monday to Thursday, all year round, except for bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder holds an appropriate childcare qualification at level 3. She provides funded early education for three-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 inspector observed the quality of teaching during activities indoors and in the childminder's garden. The inspector assessed the impact this has on children's learning. n The inspector completed a joint evaluation of an activity with the childminder. n The inspector held a number of discussions with the childminder at appropriate times during the inspection. She looked at relevant documentation and evidence of the suitability of the childminder and individuals living in the household. n The inspector spoke to children during the inspection. She took account of the views of parents through written feedback provided and discussed with the childminder how she reflects on the service she provides.

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Inspection activities

12 May 2022 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 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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