Childminder in Essex

Overall effectiveness Inadequate

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

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The provision is inadequate

Children's safety is compromised. This is because the childminder has not implemented her medication policy and procedures to ensure their welfare is fully protected. Despite this, children are very comfortable, confident, and happily engage in the exciting activities offered. They leave their parents with ease as they have established close bonds with the childminder, who knows the children well. Children demonstrate they are inquisitive and eager to learn. Young children relish their time in the garden and access a good selection of quality toys. A purpose-built playroom in the garden further enhances their learning experiences outdoors as they enjoy the fresh air. Children initiate their own play and can access toys with ease. They take care and show skill, balancing as they use balancing blocks. Children use mathematical language as they count blocks, discuss size, colours, and shapes as they make an obstacle course.

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The provision is inadequate

The childminder provides good opportunities for children to develop their personal, social and emotional development to help prepare them for future learning. For example, she makes sure that the accessibility of resources, planned activities and care practice promotes children's confidence and independence. Children show that they feel safe and secure because the childminder is calm, nurturing, and sensitive to their needs. They are confident with visitors to the home and show their curiosity as they ask lots of questions. Children have made friendships and enjoy cuddles as they sit together for stories. They choose their favourite stories and interact with the childminder as she reads. They are encouraged to predict what might happen next and recall what they have previously learned.

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need to do better?

n While the childminder has a well-written policy for meeting children's individual medical needs and the administration of medication, she does not follow it. She has not ensured that the required medication is available. This means children's welfare is not assured. n The childminder is skilful in supporting children's speech and language. She is a good role model and provides children with a running commentary during activities. The childminder engages children in meaningful conversation and continually talks with them. The childminder is aware of children's starting points and what they need to support their communication skills. As a result, children's language and vocabulary are developing well. This includes those children who are bi-lingual or who speak English as an additional language. n Parents speak very highly of all aspects of care their children receive. They comment that the childminder is a positive influence for their children. They are

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need to do better?

reassured their children participate in a wide range of stimulating activities and make good progress. Parents' written comments detail the childminder's

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need to do better?

15 March 2023 kindness and reliability. Parents say the home is welcoming and happy and that their children cannot wait to attend. n The childminder has high expectations for the children in her care. They demonstrate they are settled and feel safe. Children enjoy the praise and recognition they receive for their efforts, for example, when they independently put their shoes on for outdoor play. They have formed close attachments with the childminder, and babies enjoy the reassurance and cuddles they receive. n Children benefit from a broad curriculum of activities that support their development across all seven areas of learning. They enjoy physical play and their time spent in the garden. Children ride bicycles with skill, learning to negotiate the space well to avoid bumping into their friends. They practise their early writing as they make patterns on the floor using large chunky chalks. Toddlers are fully supported as they learn how to manage steps as they climb.

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need to do better?

They squeal with delight as they travel down the slide, showing pride in their achievement. n Children enjoy planned creative activities. They show enthusiasm as they paint flowers in preparation to make cards for Mother's Day and talk about the colours of daffodils. Younger children enjoy the sensory experience of squelching the paint between their fingers. On occasions, some activities do not provide sufficient challenge that build on children's learning. n The childminder demonstrates a sound knowledge of the children in her care. Children experience a range of activities outside of the home and have access to some resources that reflect positive images of diversity. However, there are fewer opportunities to engage in focused activities to help them learn about the similarities and differences in the wider community, other than their own.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are not effective.

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Safeguarding

The childminder has not implemented her medication policy and procedures to ensure that appropriate action can be taken in the event of a child becoming unwell in her care. However, the childminder does have a sound understanding of the possible signs and behaviours that may cause her to be concerned about a child. She has a secure knowledge of child protection issues, such as the 'Prevent' duty, domestic violence, and county lines and is clear on how to report any concerns. The childminder routinely risk assesses her home to ensure children play in a safe environment.

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Due date

15 March 2023 implement the policy and procedures for administering medication to ensure children's good health is protected in the event of them becoming unwell. 31/03/2023

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should:

n plan precisely for every child to continually build on, challenge and extend their learning further n increase the opportunities to enhance children's awareness about people, families and communities beyond their own.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY489566 Local authority Essex Inspection number 10279912 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 16 Date of previous inspection 3 August 2017

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2015 and lives in Colchester, Essex. She operates all year round from 7.30am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, except for bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder offers 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 has received since the COVID-19 pandemic began. The inspector discussed the 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 completed a learning walk together to discuss the childminder's intentions for children's learning. n The inspector observed interactions between the childminder and children. n The inspector took account of the views of the parents. n The childminder provided the inspector with a sample of key documentation on request. 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.

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Inspection activities

15 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

15 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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