Childminder in Thurrock

Overall effectiveness Requires improvement

The quality of education Requires improvement Behaviour and attitudes Requires improvement Personal development Requires improvement Leadership and management Requires improvement Overall effectiveness at previous inspection Good

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The provision requires improvement

Overall, children are happy and settled. They form secure friendships with each other, the childminder and her assistant. Children enjoy cuddles with the childminder, snuggling on her lap to listen to a story or when they need reassurance. They understand the importance of good hygiene practices and happily go off to wash their hands before they eat. However, some daily routines are not managed effectively enough. This results in children becoming boisterous and disengaged in their learning. In addition, the childminder and assistant do not always provide children with fair warning, especially when it is time to tidy away toys and resources. Consequently, some children become upset when they are unable to finish their activity.

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The provision requires improvement

Children are confident communicators and have lots of opportunities to practise their dual language skills. They freely speak to each other, the childminder and her assistant in English and Lithuanian. Children enthusiastically tackle activities that help to develop their fine motor skills and concentration. They carefully thread wooden beads onto string, before proudly showing the childminder their achievements. Children have good social manners. They are polite, share resources and wait to take their turn.

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need to do better?

n The childminder has successfully met the actions set previously. She ensures her assistants complete a full induction programme to help them understand their role and responsibilities. Further support through regular supervisions enables the childminder and assistant to discuss practice and areas for development. However, the childminder has yet to successfully address weaknesses in the assistant's teaching practice to raise the quality of education further. n The curriculum is not yet ambitious enough to provide children with consistently challenging and inspiring activities. The childminder plans adult-led activities that take into account children's interests. However, she does not always ensure that they fully ignite and capture children's imaginative and creative skills. For example, children use stencils, paper and pens to create patterns, but the childminder overlooks additional ways to further extend their interest.

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need to do better?

n Children generally behave well. However, some daily routines, such as preparing for lunch or getting ready for afternoon sleeps, take a long time to organise. This leads to children becoming bored and finding their own amusement. For example, they move around the room with less regard for their peers around them. n Partnerships with parents are developed from the start of each new care arrangement. The childminder gathers details from parents to find out what children know and can do. She encourages parents to share pictures and

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need to do better?

24 January 2023 observations of their children's achievements at home to help her identify their interests. Daily verbal feedback and social media messages also support continuity in children's care and learning between the parents and childminder. n Children settle down on their own to concentrate on self-chosen tasks, such as completing puzzles. However, sometimes, they do not receive sufficient warning when the time to pack away is approaching. This results in frustration and tears as their jigsaw is packed away unfinished. In addition, the childminder does not always follow through with her instructions. For example, she uses a sand timer to help children understand the concept of waiting five minutes. However, once the time is up, she does not consistently follow through with what children are expecting to happen. This provides children with mixed messages and so they become restless. n Children enjoy exploring transport related toys. They build wooden train tracks

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need to do better?

and pretend to fly toy planes through the air. Children learn about simple technology as they work out how to turn on flashing lights on toy emergency vehicles. They use their voices to make accompanying 'siren' sounds as they push the toy cars around the carpet. This helps to develop their imaginative skills. n The childminder knows how to contact local professionals and early years advisors should she need help or guidance. This enables her to access additional support or refer families on to more specialist services.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

p.3

Safeguarding

The childminder and her assistant complete regular safeguarding training. This helps to ensure they have a secure awareness of the signs and symptoms that may indicate children are at risk of harm or abuse. The childminder and her assistant understand the dangers posed to children from radicalisation and extremist behaviour. They know what to do in the event of any concerns about children or their families. The childminder has updated her policies and procedures to ensure all confidential records about children are kept securely. She has spoken to her assistants to ensure they clearly understand data protection requirements.

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Due date

identify and address weaknesses in the quality of teaching, so that children make the best possible progress 27/02/2023

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Due date

24 January 2023 implement a consistently ambitious curriculum that challenges, excites and inspires children in their learning. 27/02/2023

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should:

n find fair and consistent ways to prepare children for change, such as tidying away, and for them to be able to complete chosen activities to their own satisfaction n improve the organisation of daily routines to increase children's participation and minimise the time they are left disengaged and unoccupied.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY496772 Local authority Thurrock Inspection number 10271633 Type of provision Childminder

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Registers

Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register Day care type Childminder

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inspection

Total number of places 6 Number of children on roll 10 Date of previous inspection 1 June 2018

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2016. She lives in Grays, Essex. The childminder operates Monday to Friday from 7am to 6pm, all year round, except for bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder works with an assistant.

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Inspection activities

n The inspector discussed any continued impact of the pandemic with the childminder and has taken that into account in their evaluation of the childminder. n The childminder and the inspector discussed the childminder's intentions for children's learning. n Children communicated with the inspector during the inspection. n The inspector observed the interactions between the childminder, the assistant and the children. n The childminder provided the inspector with a sample of key documentation on request.

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Inspection activities

24 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

24 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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