Childminder in Thurrock

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 happy to attend this setting and display a positive attitude to learning. Children form a very strong relationship with the childminder and her assistants. They support children's self-esteem and resilience. Children are familiar with the established routines. They navigate, with interest and ease, around the setting and outdoors, choosing activities that spark their curiosity and excitement. Children enjoy exploring an activity with play dough and cutters. They contribute towards making the dough, mixing the ingredients with good control. Children mould the dough with confidence and use the tools with good dexterity. This helps to develop their fine motor skills and hand-to-eye coordination. Children talk about what they are doing and engage in pretend play with their peers to further support their imaginative skills.

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The provision is good

Children enjoy books and develop a passion for reading. They ask the childminder to read their favourite story about some little teddy bears. Children look at pictures with interest and curiosity, showing high levels of enthusiasm. This helps to build on their literacy skills. Children have a great time in the garden, blowing different- sized bubbles with their friends. They laugh and giggle with excitement as they jump around to pop the bubbles. Children interact well with their peers. This helps to strengthen their social interactions and build on their self-esteem and confidence.

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need to do better?

n The childminder offers a rich environment with plenty of meaningful learning opportunities. Children make their own choices about the activities they would like to explore next. They learn to share and take turns with confidence. For example, children enjoy exploring a mark-making activity. They make marks on the paper and proudly ascribe a meaning to them. This helps to build on their fine motor skills, creativity and imagination. n Children have plenty of opportunities to be active and learn about being healthy. In the garden, they run around with confidence and good balance, avoiding obstacles. They operate slides and swings with great control, showing high levels of energy and enthusiasm. This helps further develop their gross motor skills, coordination and stamina. n Children behave well. They show high levels of respect towards their peers, childminder and her assistants. Children have good manners and share

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need to do better?

resources well. They understand the behavioural expectations set by the childminder. For example, they use 'kind hands' and respectful words when interacting with one another. Children continuously develop their independence. They put their shoes and coats on and clean their hands with ease. This helps support their self-esteem and confidence.

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need to do better?

13 February 2023 n Children form strong relationships with the childminder and her assistants, who offer a calm, stable and nurturing environment. They feel secure in their care and readily ask for help when needed. This supports children's emotional well- being effectively. n Although the childminder reads to children and engages them in conversation, she does not use all opportunities to introduce new words, particularly to younger children or less confident children, to promote their communication and language skills to high levels. n The childminder has a good knowledge and understanding of children's development. She uses the information gained from her assessment of what children can do to plan for the next steps in their learning. n Children enjoy engaging in an activity with dough and cutters. Older children readily use all resources available to make their own creations. However, the childminder does not adapt this activity to help younger children join in. As a

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need to do better?

result, younger children lose interest and wander off. n Partnership working with parents is strong. They comment on the childminder's robust and effective approach to their children's learning. Parents feel involved in their children's learning and development and praise the progress their child has made. n The childminder's ethos and vision for her setting is ambitious. She continuously looks for ways to improve the quality of care and education she provides to benefit the children. The childminder is experienced and takes part in regular training opportunities to keep her knowledge up to date.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The childminder and her assistants have a strong and robust knowledge and understanding of safeguarding, including wider aspects of safeguarding such as female genital mutilation. The childminder has effective and accurate policies and procedures in place to guide her, which she reviews regularly and shares with parents. She understands the importance of following the correct procedures to report any concerns to relevant professionals, to protect children from harm. The childminder completes regular training to keep her safeguarding knowledge current and up to date. The childminder takes steps to help to ensure that her home and garden are safe. She carries out regular risk assessments and this helps to assure children's safety and welfare.

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should:

n build on young children's communication and language skills, giving them opportunities to hear a range of new words that broadens their vocabulary

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should:

13 February 2023 n adapt activities that provide more opportunities for younger children to take part in the range of learning experiences available.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY484271 Local authority Thurrock Inspection number 10264741 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 12 Number of children on roll 16 Date of previous inspection 23 June 2017

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2015 and lives in Bulphan, Essex. She operates Monday to Friday, from 7am to 5pm, all year round, except for bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder holds an early years qualification at level 3 and works with an assistant. She provides funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children.

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Inspection activities

n This was the first inspection the childminder received since the COVID-19 pandemic began. The inspector discussed with the childminder the impact of the pandemic and has taken that into account in their evaluation of the provision. n The childminder and the inspector completed a learning walk together. They discussed how the curriculum is organised and what the childminder wants the children to learn. n The inspector observed the quality of teaching and education and assessed the impact this has on children's learning. n Children spoke with the inspector about the activities they were doing. n The inspector spoke with the assistants at appropriate times throughout the inspection. n The inspector held a meeting with the childminder. She looked at relevant documentation and reviewed evidence of suitability of the childminder to work with children.

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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

13 February 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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