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 Outstanding

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The provision is good

Children are nurtured and cared for well in this home-from-home setting. The childminder goes out of her way to make sure that children's emotions are managed appropriately. She provides them with constant hugs and reassurance. Children are continually encouraged to be independent. Older children cut up their own snacks, put on their own coats and wash their own hands. Babies are supported to feed themselves at mealtimes, with some support as and when is needed. They enjoy the interest shown to them by the childminder as well as the imaginative and caring interactions she gives. Children respond back to the childminder. They smile, make noises and sound out words, such as 'daddy'.

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The provision is good

Children behave well, and babies show an interest in one another and what they are doing. They explore the same toy, press the buttons and watch it pop up. Children are encouraged to share, take turns and follow instructions. The consistent approach helps children to know what is expected of them, which enables them to feel secure. Children enjoy having the freedom to choose what they want to do, and they know what is available to them, even when they cannot see it. Children's ideas are acted on and extended. For example, they ask for bubbles and make a bubble mixture with the childminder. This activity keeps them highly engaged and fascinated for a long period of time.

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need to do better?

n The childminder supports children's language development. She takes the time, listens and interacts with them. The childminder provides babies with books that she knows they enjoy and introduces new words and phrases to older children. She consistently checks that they understand the meaning. n The childminder observes children and follows their interests to create stimulating activities. She focuses on their next steps in learning and takes opportunities during activities to develop them. However, the childminder has not explored alternative ways to help less-confident children move along in some aspects of their development. n The childminder focuses on the health and development of all children. She looks at different ways to support them. The childminder monitors them closely and speaks and liaises regularly with parents in a sensitive, timely fashion. She also attends health appointments with children and parents if this is what they

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need to do better?

would like. n Good hygiene practices are embedded in the daily routine, for example as children wash their hands before and after meals. The childminder encourages healthy eating and supports parents in the weaning process. She gives the parents ideas about foods they can prepare, or she cooks for the children on days that they are in her care.

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need to do better?

11 January 2023 n Children explore the outdoor environment on most days. The local area has a variety of different attractions, such as an aquarium and woodlands, which the childminder and children make the most of. No two weeks are the same, and to keep things fresh and exciting, the childminder and children do something different each week. n Children respond well to the childminder's caring approach. Older children copy the childminder and help the younger children. They show concern when they cry and help to rock the cot when babies are being settled to sleep. n Children's different backgrounds are taken into consideration as soon as they start at the setting. The childminder finds out as much as she can about the families by talking with them and doing her own research. She takes all reasonable steps to support the children and their families to make them feel comfortable and respected. For example, the childminder celebrates traditions

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need to do better?

and festivals that are important to them. She adapts mealtimes so that practices reflect those used at home. n The childminder has a strong relationship with parents. She does what she can to make life easier for them. For example, she keeps children's belongings safely at her home to save parents from having to bring things back and forth. The childminder has an open-door policy and goes out of her way to communicate in a way that works best for everyone. n The childminder completes regular training to benefit her practice and increase her knowledge. She makes changes when needed. For example, she regularly changes the playroom around to benefit the children and their learning. The childminder endeavours to make the setting more accessible and inviting all the time.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The childminder has a very thorough knowledge of safeguarding. She keeps up to date with current issues and recognises the signs and symptoms of abuse. She knows what to do and who to contact if she is ever concerned about a child, and she attends regular training. This training has given the childminder a strong knowledge of wider safeguarding issues, such as breast ironing and the 'Prevent' duty. She considers and assesses all risks, in and out of the setting, in order to keep children safe.

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should:

n provide even more opportunities to support less-confident children to meet their next developmental step.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY486139 Local authority Essex Inspection number 10264375 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 5 Date of previous inspection 13 June 2017

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2014 and lives in Canvey Island, Essex. She operates all year round, from 7.30am to 5.30pm, Monday to Thursday, except bank holidays and family holidays.

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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 provider and has taken that into account in their evaluation of the provider. n The childminder and the inspector discussed how the childminder organises their early years provision, including the aims and rationale for their curriculum. n The childminder spoke to the inspector about children's learning and development, with a particular focus on communication and language. 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. n The inspector observed the interactions between the childminder and children. n The childminder and inspector discussed how the curriculum had been implemented and the impact that this had on children's learning. n The childminder provided the inspector with a sample of key documentation on

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Inspection activities

11 January 2023 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

11 January 2023 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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