Childminder in Thurrock

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 and babies flourish in the exceptionally welcoming, family atmosphere of the childminder's home. The childminder, her co-childminder and assistants ensure that all children have a happy and highly enjoyable time with them. They are extremely kind and caring, treating children with courtesy and respect. Children develop remarkably close attachments with the childminder and each other. This helps them to feel safe and successfully promotes their confidence, resilience and independence. The childminder gives children very clear and consistent boundaries to help them understand her expectations. She is a superb role model and children's behaviour and manners are impeccable.

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The provision is outstanding

Children are captivated by the inspiring activities and resources available. They illustrate this as they play together imaginatively in the role play area, making cups of tea for guests. Children's learning is extended brilliantly when the 'mobile animal workshop' comes to visit. Children learn fascinating facts about living creatures. For example, they discover that the turkey's neck turns red when it is angry. Children show awe and wonder as they carefully handle the insects and animals, such as tarantulas, lizards, snails and snakes. The childminder ensures that children have incredibly interesting and enjoyable days as they take part in the wealth of activities she provides. All children are given the best possible start to their early education.

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need to do better?

n The quality of education is inspirational. The childminder, her co-childminder and assistants are fully aware of what they want children to learn and how they are going to teach this. They work superbly well together and share their skills to provide excellent learning experiences for children. Children's progress and achievements are exceptional. n The childminder has a wealth of experience in looking after children. She provides a very child-centred and stimulating environment. Children become extremely independent as they choose from a phenomenal range of high-quality toys and resources. These are skilfully displayed in the large playrooms, inside and outside, and in the childminder's superb garden. n The childminder recognises that some children may not have been able to socialise with other children during the national lockdowns. She kept in touch with them by making regular video calls. She suggested a wealth of ideas to

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need to do better?

help parents carry on with their children's learning at home. Consequently, children continued to enjoy their learning and happily settled again when they returned to the setting. n Children benefit greatly from the childminder's enthusiastic approach to outdoor learning. They have a wealth of opportunities to develop their physical skills and

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need to do better?

18 May 2022 have plenty of fresh air. As well as the garden, they have access to open fields and woodlands nearby. Children can run around freely in the large open spaces. They go on nature walks in the woods and notice the changes in the seasons, such as how the leaves change colour in the autumn. They love to go on sleigh rides when it snows. n The childminder teaches children to be respectful and to recognise people in the community who help us. Children show great excitement when the fire and police officers come to visit them at the childminder's house. They eagerly hold on to the water hoses and take turns to sit in the police car. They are thrilled when the police officer turns on the siren. Children know that they must dial '999' in an emergency. These wonderful experiences help to promote children's knowledge of the wider world. n Children's mathematical skills are exceptional. They are cleverly extended by the

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need to do better?

childminder's interactions during activities. For example, she challenges children to name and find shapes during their 'morning welcome' session. Children confidently identify shapes, such as a 'crescent' and 'pentagon'. They demonstrate how they can count the number of sides of a triangle. They excitedly find similar shaped objects around the room. n Parents are incredibly enthusiastic to share their views on the childminder's provision. They say how much they appreciate the help and advice she gives them. The childminder regularly provides parents with information about their children's next steps. She works extremely closely with parents and provides ideas about how children's learning can be supported at home. This helps to provide excellent continuity of care for the children. n The childminder and her co-childminder set tremendously high standards for their provision. They monitor the quality of teaching and learning opportunities

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need to do better?

exceptionally well and discuss their practice daily. They observe each other and the assistants, and suggest helpful advice to enhance their outstanding practice. The childminder's commitment and dedication to families help to provide children with an exceptional start in life.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

Children's safety is given extremely high priority by the childminder, her co- childminder and assistants. They all have an excellent understanding of how to protect children. The childminder is vigilant in recognising any concerns, such as changes in children's behaviour. She fully understands how to monitor and report any concerns. The very detailed safeguarding policy is regularly updated to ensure all information is current and relevant. This includes the 'Prevent' duty guidance. The childminder proactively embeds the British values, such as respect and tolerance. She shares all policies with parents to ensure they understand her total commitment to promoting their children's welfare.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY476045 Local authority Thurrock Inspection number 10219437 Type of provision Childminder

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Registers

Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register Day care type Childminder

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inspection

Total number of places 18 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 2014 and lives in South Ockendon, Essex. She works with her daughter, who is also a childminder, and her husband and daughter-in-law who are assistants. The childminder operates from Monday to Friday, 6.30am until 6.30pm, 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. These included evidence of 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

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