Childminder in Essex

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 become highly confident, independent learners in the childminder's exceptionally welcoming and well-organised home. The childminder has an exceedingly close working partnership with her co-childminder and assistants, which ensures consistency of care for all children. She has developed incredibly strong attachments with the children, which helps to support their emotional well- being. Babies are very happy, confident and extremely well cared for. The childminder is an excellent role model, treating children with great kindness and respect. All children demonstrate that they feel welcome, safe and valued. Their behaviour is exemplary. Children of different ages play happily together. They gain excellent levels of empathy and kindness.

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The provision is outstanding

Children flourish in the vibrant and stimulating learning environment. They have enormous fun exploring the wonderful collection of old toys that belong to the childminder's assistant. For example, they are fascinated by the magnetic train set. They watch in amazement as the spinning top spins around and around. Children have superb opportunities to learn about technology as they explore how things work by winding them up and turning knobs. They enjoy learning about nature as they plant vegetables and watch them grow in the childminder's superb garden. Children have great fun exploring natural materials, including making pies and potions in the outdoor play kitchen. All these wonderful experiences provide children with an abundance of skills to support them in their future learning.

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need to do better?

n The childminder, her co-childminder and assistants draw on each other's strengths to form a highly effective team. The childminder uses her detailed observations and assessments exceptionally well to help her to identify and plan children's next steps in learning. Any gaps in learning are promptly identified and successfully targeted so that all children make outstanding progress. n Following the national lockdowns, the childminder identified that some children show delays in their language and communication skills. She has introduced many highly effective activities to support them. For example, during the 'morning welcome' activity, children are encouraged to join in with conversations, stories and songs. They thoroughly enjoy listening to stories and enthusiastically repeat familiar words and phrases. Those children who need extra support catch up rapidly. n The childminder provides a wonderful, language-rich environment. Children have

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need to do better?

a wealth of opportunities to build on their vocabulary. The childminder skilfully supports babies' early communication by continually singing songs and modelling words. She introduces children to new words during stories and asks meaningful questions that promote and extend their thinking.

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need to do better?

18 May 2022 n Children have excellent opportunities to develop their understanding of what makes them unique. For example, they thoroughly enjoy looking at themselves in a mirror and drawing their faces. Children have thoughtful discussions about the colour of their eyes and hair. They use positional language to describe where they are on their faces. They confidently say, 'My eyes are above my nose.' Children learn more complex words to extend their vocabulary, such as 'pupil' and 'cornea'. n Children thoroughly enjoy visitors coming to the setting. For example, when they had a visit from the 'mobile zoo', children were fascinated to see and touch many unusual insects and animals. Young children excitedly describe how a snake sat on the childminder's shoulders. Photos taken at the time show children's awe and wonder as they watched chickens lay their eggs. These valuable, hands-on experiences help to support children's understanding of the

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need to do better?

wonders of the natural world. n The childminder, her co-childminder and assistants build exceptional relationships with the children and their families. Parents appreciate how they treat the children like their own. They describe the setting as their children's 'home away from home'. The childminder gives parents superb support to continue their children's learning at home. This promotes excellent consistency of care and enhances children's learning and development. n Children learn to accept and understand the needs of others as they begin to make friends. They learn to share and take turns, and have fun playing together. The childminder attends relevant training to enhance her knowledge and skills so that she can provide effective support for any additional needs children may have. She regularly shares information with parents, health professionals and schools to promote a consistent approach to meeting

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need to do better?

children's individual needs. n The childminder works in excellent partnership with her co-childminder and assistants. They continually reflect on the valuable service they provide for families. The childminder identifies training courses she would like to attend to help develop her teaching skills and enhance her knowledge. For example, she has booked on training to extend her knowledge of child development and the 'characteristics of effective learning'.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The childminder, her co-childminder and assistants demonstrate a strong understanding of their responsibility to safeguard children. They are vigilant in recognising any concerns, such as a change in children's behaviour. The childminder, who is the designated safeguarding lead, keeps her knowledge up to date by accessing safeguarding training. She understands the importance of working with external agencies to report her concerns. The childminder has an excellent awareness of a wide range of safeguarding issues, such as radicalisation and online safety.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY497743 Local authority Thurrock Inspection number 10219452 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 12 Number of children on roll 16 Date of previous inspection 4 August 2016

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2016 and lives in South Ockendon. She works with her mother, who is also a childminder, from her mother's address in South Ockendon, Essex. The childminder operates all year round from 6.30am until 6.30pm, Monday to Friday, except for bank holidays and family holidays. She holds an appropriate childcare qualification at level 3. 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 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, including 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 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

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

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

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