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 Not applicable

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The provision is good

Children are warmly welcomed by the childminder and are confident and happy in the childminder's home. New children have settled well and have established close bonds with the childminder. Younger children who need extra support to settle receive good attention and reassurance throughout the day. Children are keen to learn and are fascinated by the activities provided in the garden. They happily engage in their play and ask lots of questions. Children concentrate for some time while exploring the activity tray. They make potions using water, flour and food colouring. They mix with whisks and pour using measuring tubes. Children persevere as they discover how pipets work. They are excited when they learn to suck the water into the tube and giggle as they squirt it back out. The childminder is skilful in how she poses questions and speaks with the children. She encourages children to think about the cause and effect of their 'experiments' and to predict

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The provision is good

what they think may happen when adding ingredients together.

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The provision is good

Children express their thoughts easily as they feel safe and have good communication skills. They respond positively to the childminder's questions and requests. Children listen with intent and follow instructions. For example, when asked what they need to play outdoors, they independently put their shoes on in preparation. The children's behaviour is very good as they understand the expectations of the childminder.

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need to do better?

n The childminder is very knowledgeable about how children learn. She successfully encourages and supports their interests and promotes their enthusiasm to learn. The activities and resources provided offer sufficient challenges across all areas of learning. The childminder supports child-led play very well. Completion of an initial assessment means she is fully aware of where the children are when they first attend and can plan and support accordingly. Children make good progress in their learning. n Children's speech and language skills are good. The childminder engages the children in meaningful conversations. She is a good role model and introduces new words to broaden their vocabulary. For example, they talk about the temperature outdoors when they request to play in the garden. When they choose to eat outdoors, they talk about meals 'al fresco'. n Children develop their mathematical knowledge and understanding of the world

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need to do better?

through their play. This is a strong focus in the activities provided. For example, children learn that liquids can turn to solids when mixed. They count and compare shapes of resources provided. They talk about taller and smaller and weight during their play. They are positively encouraged to problem solve when they get toys stuck inside one another. They are praised by the childminder and

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need to do better?

12 September 2022 are clearly thrilled when they find the solution for themselves. n Parents speak highly of all aspects of the care provided. Parents comment that the communication is excellent. They enjoy the monthly newsletters and feel fully informed regarding their child. They speak of the thorough induction process and how settled and happy their children are. Parents also welcome the activity ideas and links regularly sent so that they can continue the learning at home. n The childminder invests time to get to know the children. She follows babies' own routines and is intuitive when they become tired or hungry. They are soothed, offered cuddles, and made comfortable in a dedicated sleep room so that they can sleep uninterrupted. n Children's personal needs overall are supported, such as when they are emotional or need their nappies changing. However, the organisation at lunchtime means that children occasionally sit and wait while their meals are

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need to do better?

prepared. Furthermore, the lack of trays on highchairs means that toddlers sometimes drop their food and are not always able to enjoy the delicious, healthy food offered. n The childminder is fully aware of where children are in their development and what they need to learn next. Children make good progress across all areas of their development. However, the organisation of the play space, both indoors and outdoors, sometimes prevents children from being able to access resources freely and play uninterrupted.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The childminder demonstrates her understanding of how to protect children's welfare. She has a secure knowledge of her responsibility to protect children from harm. The childminder is aware of the possible signs and behaviours that may suggest a child is at risk. She ensures she is fully up to date with safeguarding practices through completion of training. The childminder is familiar with the appropriate procedures to follow should she have a concern regarding a child in her care. Children play in a safe environment, as the childminder completes risk assessments of the home and planned outings to minimise any risk.

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should:

n review daily routines, such as snack and mealtimes, to ensure that children are provided with appropriate resources and their needs are fully met n ensure the play space, both indoors and outdoors, is organised and enables children to easily access all resources available to them.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 2554306 Local authority Essex Inspection number 10239156 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 6 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2020 and lives in Chelmsford, Essex. She operates term time only, from 7.15am to 6pm, Monday to Thursday. The childminder provides funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children.

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Inspection activities

n This was the first routine inspection the childminder has 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 setting. n The childminder and the inspector completed a learning walk together to discuss the childminder's intentions for children's learning. n The inspector observed interactions between the childminder and the children. n The inspector took account of the written views of the parents. n The childminder provided the inspector with a sample of key documentation on request. n The inspector carried out a joint observation with the childminder. n The inspector observed the quality of education being provided, indoors and outdoors, and assessed the impact that this was having on children's learning.

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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

12 September 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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