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 Good

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The provision is good

Children are happy in this home-from-home environment. The childminder is fun and playful. For example, when children joyfully show her they can jump, she joins in and suggests they could skip together. This helps children explore the different ways they can move their bodies. The childminder introduces mathematical concepts, such as 'fast' and 'slow', to build on their existing knowledge. She makes the most of incidental opportunities to extend children's enthusiasm for recognising numbers. For instance, the childminder points to house numbers and comments, 'I wonder what number that is?'.

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The provision is good

The childminder encourages children to persevere. For example, when they struggle to put on their own wellies, she prompts them to try first. The childminder is patient and reminds them that she will always be there to help them, if needed. They jump up and down excitedly, and exclaim, 'I can do it!' when they successfully complete the task. Children show they are familiar with their surroundings and the local community. They go for a walk and give instructions to direct the childminder to the park. Children demonstrate their understanding of keeping safe when they cross roads. They look both ways and let the childminder know there are no cars coming.

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need to do better?

n The childminder reflects on her practice effectively. She plans to offer children even more exciting experiences and wants to strengthen partnerships with parents. However, she does not identify professional development opportunities to raise the quality of her teaching. This has resulted in minor weaknesses. For example, although the childminder can explain what children gain from the available activities, she does not focus precisely enough on planning activities based on what she wants individual children to learn. n The childminder knows the children very well. She gathers comprehensive information from parents about their preferences and what they already know and can do, when they first start. She uses her own observations to assess children's ongoing learning. Although children make progress, the childminder does not always recognise how she can adapt activities and her interactions to challenge children to reach their full potential.

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need to do better?

n The childminder prioritises helping children gain confidence and independence in preparation for the next stage of their education. She recognises that children had fewer opportunities to socialise during the COVID-19 pandemic. Therefore, the childminder regularly takes them to events, such as story-and-rhyme sessions at the library, so children can meet and interact with others. n The childminder promotes children's personal hygiene. They know they must wash their hands after going to the toilet and before eating. Children are polite

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need to do better?

6 March 2023 and say 'please' and 'thank you'. The childminder talks to them sensitively about sharing and taking turns to help develop their social skills. n Children gain an understanding of nature. They proudly show the inspector the daffodil bulbs that they planted. Children remember that they need to water them, so they can grow. The childminder encourages children to listen and draws their attention to the birds singing. They use their observation skills to find nests hidden in the trees. n The childminder reads to the children to support their love of books. They sit comfortably and are eager to find out what happens next. Children remember the familiar story and contribute their own ideas about the characters. n Children enthusiastically sing along and dance to their favourite songs. This promotes children's understanding of rhythm and exposes them to new and interesting words. The childminder listens to the children when they tell their

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need to do better?

own stories. This encourages them to talk and express themselves more. n The childminder works closely with parents to help children move on in their development. For example, they complement each other to support children's toilet training and to reduce their reliance on their dummies. The childminder meets with parents regularly to discuss their children's progress. n Parents write that they 'couldn't be happier' with the care their children receive and that the childminder is 'like another mum'. They appreciate that the childminder gives children many interesting experiences, such as trips to the farm. Parents feel well informed. The childminder shares daily photographs and messages to keep them updated about what their children have enjoyed.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The childminder understands the factors that may make a child more vulnerable to being abused or neglected. She describes appropriate actions to take if she is worried about a child. The childminder knows the procedures to follow in the event of an allegation against herself, a family member or if she has a concern about any adult working with children. She is aware of her responsibility to respond to children who may be at risk of radicalisation or other forms of exploitation. The childminder and other household members have had required checks to evidence their suitability.

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should:

n focus ongoing professional development more sharply on building knowledge and skills, to raise the quality of teaching even higher n provide more challenge during activities to help children reach their full potential.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 128091 Local authority Essex Inspection number 10276413 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 14 July 2017

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2000. She lives in Basildon, Essex. She operates all year round, from 7am to 5pm, Monday to Friday, except for bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder holds an early years qualification at level 3. She 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 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 discussed how she organises her early years provision including the aims for her curriculum. 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 joined the childminder and children on a trip to a local park. n The inspector considered parents' written views of the setting. n The childminder provided the inspector with a sample of key documentation on request.

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Inspection activities

6 March 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

6 March 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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