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 Good

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The provision is good

Children are happy and settled in the childminder's home. They leave their parents with ease. They demonstrate that they feel safe and confident as they move around, engaging the childminder and her assistant in their play. The childminder is very sensitive to children's individual needs. Children's emotional development is well supported. They are provided with daily opportunities to express how they feel. For example, when children come together for song or story time, they are encouraged to talk about their feelings. The childminder provides resources to support this and the words to help children express themselves. Children benefit from the childminder's happy and reassuring approach. They are positively encouraged to be independent, which helps prepare them for future learning.

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The provision is good

Children are confident speakers. They ask lots of questions and the childminder is skilful in giving children time to think and respond. Consideration is given to the activities provided to ensure they support children's development needs and interests. Children's behaviour is very good. The childminder has clear expectations of what is acceptable and reinforces good behaviour throughout the day. Children receive lots of praise for their efforts. They show pride in their creations. For example, they show sustained concentration as they build with wooden bricks. They excitedly help the childminder to take photos to share their achievements with their parents.

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need to do better?

n The quality of teaching is good. The childminder is committed to improving her knowledge through regular training opportunities. She motivates and supports her assistant in her own personal development effectively. The childminder demonstrates an ambition to develop and improve the service she provides. She positively welcomes any suggestions or training that will improve the outcomes for the children in her care. n The childminder understands the importance of quality conversations with the children and she models language well. Children's communication skills are fully supported. The childminder and her assistant are skilful in how they ask children questions to challenge their thinking and extend their vocabulary. n Parents speak highly of the service the childminder provides. They comment on the nurturing environment and the progress their children make. Parents write that the childminder is flexible and supportive of their needs. They say that their

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need to do better?

children settle well as the childminder invests time in getting to know them, their likes and dislikes before minding commences. n The childminder is fully aware of where children are in their development and what they need to learn next. All children make good progress across all areas of their development. However, resources and opportunities for children to

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need to do better?

18 May 2022 spontaneously make marks, practise their early writing skills and be creative are not that frequent. n Children happily participate in group activities. For example, children are familiar with the routine and understand the expectations as they select cushions to sit comfortably to join in music time and registration. They patiently wait their turn to choose what song they are all going to sing next. Children listen intently to the childminder, who reminds them what they need to do. They recall what they have already learned as they discuss the days of the week, the season and the weather. Even very young children participate confidently and are thoroughly engaged throughout the session. The childminder offers lots of reassurance and constantly praises the children for their good behaviour. n The childminder helps children learn about similarities and differences through planned activities, such as acknowledging cultural days. Children are respected

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need to do better?

for their individuality and are taught about others' unique needs. They are beginning to learn about a wider and more diverse community than their own. For example, children and their families have recently raised funds to support a guide dog for the blind, inspired and organised by the childminder. n Children are inquisitive and all enjoy some role play opportunities. They use dressing-up clothes in their play and enjoy wearing a cook's apron, patiently negotiating how to tie a knot to keep it on. They love to make dinner using the play foods. However, additional resources to fully support children's imaginary play and to captivate and challenge their interests further are limited.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The childminder and her assistant have a clear understanding of their responsibility to protect children from harm. The childminder ensures that they both have a secure knowledge of the possible signs and symptoms of abuse. She is committed to ensuring that they both update their knowledge through regular safeguarding training. The childminder is clear about the process to follow and who to contact should she have concerns regarding a child in their care. Children play in a safe and secure environment as the childminder routinely completes risk assessments. The childminder and her assistant closely supervise the children throughout the day.

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should:

n provide a wider variety of resources and opportunities to motivate children to practise making marks as part of early writing n develop the role play area and provide a range of resources to enable all children to explore and develop their own play and ideas.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY428763 Local authority Essex Inspection number 10063021 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 9 Date of previous inspection 2 December 2015

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2011 and lives in Coggeshall, Essex. She operates all year round from 7.30am to 6.30pm, Monday to Friday, except for bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder provides funded early education for three- and four-year-old children. She holds an appropriate childcare qualification at level 2. The childminder regularly works with an assistant.

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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 areas of the setting available to children. n The childminder explained her intentions for the children's development and how she plans and implements her educational programme. n The inspector observed the quality of teaching during activities, indoors and outdoors, and assessed the impact this has on children's learning. n The inspector spoke to children during the inspection and took account of the views of parents by reading written testimonials. n The childminder shared some documents with the inspector, including evidence of the suitability of persons working as assistants. n The childminder and the inspector completed a joint observation together.

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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

18 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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