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

Children are cared for in a safe, secure and welcoming environment. They are confident to freely explore the wide range of toys and resources that the childminder provides for them. The childminder is calm and kind. Children show that they feel safe, happy and settled in her home. The childminder encourages children to use good manners and to be respectful to each other. Children have established strong bonds with the childminder, which helps to support their emotional well-being. They are beginning to manage their own feelings and behaviours. For example, children are learning to share, take turns and play cooperatively with their friends.

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The provision is good

Children are confident and eager to learn. They love to explore the wet and dry sand, using spoons, scoops and sieves. They delight in the sensory experience and enjoy filling and emptying a range of containers. The childminder is close by and listens well and responds to what children say. Children have a positive attitude to learning and persevere at new skills. For example, they concentrate well as they make bridges on the train track. The childminder extends their learning by introducing positional language, such as 'under' and 'beside'. Children gain the skills they will need when they go on to school.

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need to do better?

n The childminder is enthusiastic and actively joins in children's play to enhance their learning. The childminder knows the children very well. She provides a wide range of activities and experiences that are tailored to their interests. Children make good progress in their learning and development. n Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, the childminder provided thoughtful support to children and their families. She kept in touch with them by sending postcards and personal gifts that she knew the children would enjoy. These gestures helped to maintain their good relationships. The childminder suggested ideas to parents to help them with their children's learning at home. n The childminder offers good support as children begin to develop their speaking skills. She interacts well with them, clearly emphasising key words to help enhance their understanding and language skills. For example, she talks about

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need to do better?

their 'left' and 'right' feet as they put on their shoes. Children enjoy singing songs and rhymes and eagerly join in with the actions. n Children develop a strong interest in books. They enjoy listening to stories and looking at the books they have chosen at the library. The childminder provides soft toys as props, which enhance children's enjoyment. Children quickly learn that they can gain information from books. n The childminder routinely includes mathematical language, such as counting, shapes and colour recognition, throughout activities. Children confidently count

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need to do better?

23 May 2022 the dinosaurs that they put in the numbered cups. They proudly count to nine and the childminder asks them what the number will be if they add one more. This helps to develop children's early mathematical skills. n Children's health and well-being are given high priority. They enjoy playing outdoors and benefit from being in the fresh air. Children learn to take manageable risks and experience physical challenge as they play in the childminder's garden or at the park. Older children thoroughly enjoy walking along the beach on their way back from school. n The childminder gets to know the children and their families very well. Parents describe her as an 'amazing childminder', and that she 'genuinely cares for every child'. The childminder talks to parents daily about the activities their children have enjoyed. Parents are kept well informed of their children's achievements and next steps. This helps them to continue their children's learning at home.

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need to do better?

n The childminder plans a wide range of exciting activities and experiences for the children. However, occasionally, she does not ensure the activity is matched to the abilities of the children attending, and some adult-led activities are too difficult for the younger children and they lose interest as a result. n The childminder attends mandatory training to keep her knowledge current and up to date. However, she has not focused on identifying professional development opportunities to extend her teaching skills and improve children's learning.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

p.3

Safeguarding

The childminder has a good understanding of her responsibilities towards the children in her care. She knows the procedures to follow should she be concerned about a child. She has a good knowledge of wider safeguarding issues, such as the potential risks to children when using the internet and digital technology. Children are supervised well. They are encouraged to keep themselves safe. They learn about road safety and know what to do in the event of a fire. This helps the childminder to ensure children's safety at all times while they are in her care.

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should:

n review the planning of activities to match the age and stage of development of all children, to ensure they remain highly engaged and focused in their learning n identify professional development opportunities to strengthen existing knowledge and enhance the quality of teaching to the highest level.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 119376 Local authority Southend-on-Sea Inspection number 10147665 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 13 Date of previous inspection 1 August 2016

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 1998 and lives in Southend-on-Sea, Essex. She offers care from 6.30am to 6.30pm, Monday to Friday, all year round, except for bank holidays and family holidays. She 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 provider received since the COVID-19 pandemic began. The inspector discussed the impact of the pandemic with the provider and has taken that into account in their evaluation of the provider. 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 about 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 The inspector took account of the views of parents from written feedback provided.

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Inspection activities

23 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

23 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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