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 extremely happy and settled in this provision. The childminder develops close bonds with the children, which enables them to feel safe and secure. New starters settle quickly and make rapid progress. Children take part in activities that have been carefully planned to further their learning. For example, they become deeply engaged in their play as they gather around the water table. They scoop and pour water and delight as they see the mill spin round as the water flows through. The childminder helps to develop children's thinking and problem-solving skills as she encourages them to explore and make predictions of where the water will go.

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The provision is good

Children are independent and can complete tasks by themselves. They confidently attend to their own self-care needs. Toddlers put their own shoes on. Older children learn how to make sandwiches as they butter bread under the watchful eye of the childminder. This helps children develop skills that they will need as they move to the next stage of their education.

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The provision is good

Children behave well. The childminder acts as a positive role model as she teaches the children about manners. She supports children effectively to manage their own emotions and helps them learn that their behaviour has an impact on others from an early age.

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need to do better?

n There is a strong focus on mathematics throughout the provision. Children regularly count in their play. Toddlers count the farm animals they play with and use an abacus to support their counting. Older children learn about measuring as they prepare ingredients for baking. This helps children develop an early understanding of mathematical concepts, which enables them to move on to the next stage of learning successfully. n The childminder promotes children's communication and language skills. Babies babble away, developing their conversation skills. Toddlers learn new words, such as 'squish' and 'roll' as they play with play dough. On occasions, the childminder does not give children enough time to respond to questions. This reduces their ability to think and develop skills independently. n The childminder provides the children with rich experiences in the community to develop their understanding of the world. For example, they take trips to fishing

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need to do better?

lakes to feed the ducks and attend 'rhyme-time' sessions at the library. Children learn about harvesting fruit and vegetables when they visit an allotment. They enjoy picking and eating strawberries from the vegetable patch in the childminder's garden. The childminder teaches children about the seeds on the strawberries and how they can be used to grow more fruit. Children make a

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need to do better?

18 July 2022 clear connection in their understanding of where the food we eat comes from. n The outdoor areas have been significantly improved since the last inspection. Children freely explore a variety of resources. Older children develop their hand- to-eye coordination as they play swing ball and climb on the climbing frame. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the indoor environment was altered to support children's home schooling. This has benefited the older children. However opportunities for babies to explore freely and make choices in their play have not yet been fully re-established. n The childminder is extremely reflective of her practice. She regularly reviews her provision and the impact it has on the children. She attends a wide variety of training which is tailored to suit the learning needs of the children. For example, she completed an eight-week course to better understand autism spectrum

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need to do better?

disorder, to support children in her setting. This enables the childminder to keep her skills and knowledge up to date and maintain the high-quality teaching that she delivers to the children. n Parents speak very highly of the childminder. They receive detailed regular feedback on their children's progress. The childminder works closely with parents to ensure they feel involved with their children's development and provides support so they can extend their children's learning at home. For example, children enjoy taking a teddy bear home to share their adventures, and take books home to read with their parents. Parents comment on how their children develop strong bonds with the childminder and make excellent progress.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The childminder regularly attends safeguarding training and has a thorough understanding of the signs and symptoms of neglect and/or abuse. She keeps a detailed safeguarding policy which provides steps to be taken if concerns arise, with all the relevant and up-to-date contact details for professionals. She knows the procedures she must follow if an allegation is made against her. The childminder completes thorough risk assessments daily to ensure the safety of the children. She supports younger children effectively to navigate up and down steps in the outdoor area, helping them to manage their own risks. She has robust procedures to prevent allergies, which helps to keep children safe.

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should:

n give children more time to respond to questions, to build on their thinking skills n enhance opportunities for babies to explore freely and make independent choices about their play in the indoor environment.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY481303 Local authority Essex Inspection number 10231922 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 4 Date of previous inspection 12 September 2016

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2014 and lives in Loughton, Essex. She operates all year round from 7am to 7pm, Monday to Friday, except for bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder holds a level 3 childcare qualification.

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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 childminder joined the inspector on a learning walk. She talked to the inspector about the curriculum. n The inspector observed the quality of education being provided, indoors and outdoors. She discussed children's progress with the childminder. n The childminder and the inspector carried out a joint observation in the garden. n The inspector looked at relevant documentation, including evidence of suitability, the accident records and safeguarding documents. n The inspector spoke to parents during the inspection and took account of their written views.

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Inspection activities

18 July 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

18 July 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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