Childminder in Essex

Overall effectiveness Good

The quality of education Good Behaviour and attitudes Outstanding Personal development Good Leadership and management Good Overall effectiveness at previous inspection Not applicable

p.1

The provision is good

Children demonstrate that they are settled and at ease in the childminder's care. They confidently introduce themselves to visitors and use complex sentences to talk about previous experiences. Children show a secure attachment with the childminder. They use their vivid imagination to make her a plate of pretend food. Children are very curious. They look at baby caterpillars in a pot and ask the childminder questions. Her clear explanations help children to learn about life cycles. Children use mathematical language, such as 'wide' and 'long', to describe the caterpillars.

p.2

The provision is good

Children accompany the childminder on a routine dentist appointment. This increases their awareness of how to care for their own teeth. They manage their personal needs independently and know to follow a good hygiene routine. Children play harmoniously together. They share resources and show genuine care and consideration towards each other. Children concentrate and remain at activities for sustained periods. They develop the small muscles in their hands as they roll lengths of dough and safely use scissors to cut them. Children help to care for the childminder's chickens. They carefully collect their eggs to take home and enjoy with their parents.

p.2

need to do better?

n The childminder plans an ambitious curriculum which builds on what children know and can do. She plans a wide variety of enjoyable learning experiences for them. Children make good progress and are ready for their next stage of learning and school. n Children are incredibly kindhearted and show an exceptional high level of respect for each other. They politely ask if they can add what they have made from dough to their friend's model. Children are extremely thoughtful about others' feelings and successfully regulate their behaviour. n The childminder has established links with a network of other local childminders. She meets regularly with them and the children they care for. Children benefit from good opportunities to build wider friendships and mix with a larger group of children. n The childminder completes a wealth of training to build on her knowledge. She completes regular safeguarding training and, more recently, has built on her

p.2

need to do better?

skills to support children's language and communication skills effectively. This has had a positive impact on children's pronunciation of words. The childminder shares her knowledge and skills with her assistant so that children benefit from a consistent approach. The childminder regularly monitors and supports her assistant's practice, which enables her to raise the quality of her teaching to an even higher level.

p.2

need to do better?

7 June 2022 n Children have many opportunities to learn about the wider world. They visit the local train station to watch and learn about how trains operate. Visits to a local woodland offer children wide opportunities to learn about wildlife and develop physical strength, for example as they position fallen branches to create dens. n Partnerships with parents are strong. The childminder keeps parents fully informed about their child's learning. She invites parents to borrow resources to continue learning at home. Parents describe the childminder as 'brilliant' and 'an extension of their own family'. n The childminder works in partnership with most staff at other settings that children attend. However, she is not yet successful in developing working partnerships with all settings, to support continuity in all children's learning effectively. n Overall, the childminder's interactions with children extend their play. She

p.2

need to do better?

embraces children's love of books and brings them alive through a rich range of props. Children are challenged to recall the sequence of a story. They thoroughly enjoy using props, such as knitted fruit. Children are beginning to correctly identify groups of fruit without counting them first. However, on occasion, the childminder does not make the most of opportunities to support children to work things out for themselves and develop their critical-thinking skills.

p.3

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

p.3

Safeguarding

The childminder is secure in her knowledge and understanding of how to keep children safe. She reads regular safeguarding updates from relevant professional agencies. This helps to ensure that she remains up to date with any changes in legislation. The childminder recognises signs which indicate that a child is at risk of harm and knows who to report her concerns to. This includes when children may be at risk from radicalisation. The childminder knows what to do should an allegation be made about her or a member of her family. She provides parents with guidance on how to keep children safe at home when using the internet.

p.3

should:

n develop partnerships with all other settings that children attend, to promote continuity in children's learning and development n enhance opportunities for children to think things through and find their own solutions to problems that arise during their play.

p.3

Setting details

Unique reference number 2524461 Local authority Essex Inspection number 10208207 Type of provision Childminder

p.4

Registers

Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register Day care type Childminder

p.4

inspection

Total number of places 6 Number of children on roll 10 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

p.4

Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2019 and lives in Elsenham. She operates all year round from 7.15am to 6.15pm, Tuesday to Friday, except for bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder holds qualified teacher status. Occasionally, she works with an assistant. The childminder provides funded early education for four- year-old children.

p.4

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 her 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 carried out 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's assistants. n The inspector spoke to children during the inspection. She took account of the views of parents through written feedback provided.

p.4

Inspection activities

7 June 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.

p.4

Inspection activities

7 June 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.

p.5

Inspection activities

If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 1231, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk .

p.6

Inspection activities

You may reuse this information (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. To view this licence, visit www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/ , write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk

p.6

Inspection activities

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more information and updates: http://eepurl.com/iTrDn .

p.6

Inspection activities

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

p.6