Childminder in Southend on Sea

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 form exceptionally strong bonds with the childminder. They benefit from her vast experience and wealth of knowledge about how young children learn. They relax fully and become deeply engaged in purposeful play, even when they are not feeling their best. This is thanks to the childminder's strong awareness of each child's individual needs and stages of development.

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The provision is outstanding

Children demonstrate high levels of confidence in the childminder's home. They explore freely with little need for intervention from the childminder. They become highly independent. For instance, children explore the thoughtfully arranged learning environment, selecting their favourite resources as they move around. They remain deeply engaged for sustained periods with what they choose. This provides them with the time they need to fully explore objects and gain a deep awareness of how things work.

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The provision is outstanding

Babies become highly effective communicators through their relaxed and natural interactions with the childminder. They turn pages in a book when the childminder asks them to as she chats to them about what they can see in the pictures. Babies share their understanding with her, making animal sounds that match with the animals in the picture. The childminder instinctively pauses after she speaks, allowing babies plenty of time to respond. As a result, they gain valuable communication skills from a very early age.

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need to do better?

n The highly skilled childminder builds seamlessly on children's prior experiences. She uses her exceptional knowledge of each child to provide opportunities for children to revisit previous skills and extend them further. For example, babies explore a variety of teapots. They concentrate intently as they practise putting the lids on and taking them off. The childminder then instinctively provides opportunities for them to place small objects in holes on a wooden board. This presents the babies with a more challenging experience where they keenly persevere until they complete the task. Consequently, babies develop extremely strong hand-eye coordination. n The childminder fully recognises each child's unique cues, responding sensitively to their needs without delay. For example, she identifies the early signs that young children are ready for a sleep. She gently sings to them as she supports them to go to sleep, monitoring them closely. Older children develop the skills

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need to do better?

they need to recognise for themselves when they are becoming tired. The childminder provides them with safe and quiet spaces where they can relax and rest, before they re-join their friends and continue to play. n The childminder gathers a wealth of valuable information about children and

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need to do better?

15 September 2022 their families before they start. This helps her to expertly tailor the settling-in process to meet the requirements of each family. The childminder visits children in their home before they start. This helps them to build a bond with her in a familiar environment before they enter her home. As a result, children settle rapidly and can make the most of the wonderful learning opportunities the childminder provides. n Local authority professionals recognise the childminder's consistently high standards of practice. She works collaboratively with them to shape the future of childminding locally. The childminder works with other childminders and their families. For instance, she organises special sporting events, which other childminders and their families keenly attend. Her hard work and dedication not only benefits the children she cares for but the wider community as a whole. n The childminder has a passion and drive to develop her professional knowledge

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need to do better?

further. She focuses on supporting the individual needs of the children who she currently cares for. For instance, she keenly researches and learns about different cultures. This helps her to provide children with well-rounded learning opportunities relevant to their own lives. She shares this in-depth knowledge with her assistant who works with her on occasion. They hold professional discussions about what children are learning. As a result, the care that children receive is of a consistently high standard. n Parents are exceptionally happy with the childminder and feel that their children 'thrive' in her care. The childminder develops meaningful relationships with parents, providing them with a wealth of support and guidance. For example, she helps them with strategies to support children's oral hygiene and behaviour. This results in consistent messages for children.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The childminder has an exceptional understanding of how to safeguard children. She constantly reflects on the policies she has in place and ensures that they are relevant to the children she cares for. She ensures that her assistant understands his role in safeguarding children. They both complete relevant training to keep their knowledge up to date. The childminder has a strong awareness of the possible signs of abuse and neglect. She is fully aware of how to raise any concerns regarding children's welfare to the relevant authorities. The childminder understands the process to follow should an allegation be made against herself or a member of her household.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY313641 Local authority Southend-on-Sea Inspection number 10137554 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 11 Number of children on roll 18 Date of previous inspection 19 November 2015

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2005. She lives in Leigh-on-Sea, Essex. She operates all year round, from 7.30am to 6pm, Monday to Thursday, except for bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder holds a qualification at level 5. She occasionally works with an assistant.

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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 inspector had a tour of the areas of the premises used for childminding. n Written feedback from parents was viewed by the inspector and their comments were taken into consideration. n The inspector observed the childminder interacting with children. She discussed the impact of these interactions on children's learning with the childminder. n The inspector viewed a sample of documentation, including registers and suitability documents for the childminder, her assistant and members of the household.

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Inspection activities

15 September 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

15 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

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