Childminder in Essex

Overall effectiveness Outstanding

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

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The provision is outstanding

Children thrive in this exceptionally welcoming and well-organised environment. The childminder is passionate and extremely dedicated to offering an exemplary provision. She demonstrates a genuine enthusiasm for her work and thoroughly enjoys her time with the children. Children are treated with kindness and respect. The childminder's warm and positive approach helps children to feel completely secure, relaxed and happy. Children demonstrate this through laughter, giggles and cuddles as and when they feel the need. They welcome the inspector and invite her into their play almost instantly.

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The provision is outstanding

The childminder has an excellent understanding of how children learn. Her superb interactions with children help them to make outstanding progress. For example, when children eat watermelon, she explains to them that the seeds are edible and she explains the process of planting and growing from a seed. The childminder takes time to highlight every detail, link it to other learning and to further extend children's knowledge and vocabulary.

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The provision is outstanding

Children's behaviour is highly impressive. They demonstrate high levels of self- control and learn to manage disagreements without conflict. When children are finding sharing tricky, they confidently ask the childminder for support. They know they will receive the support they need to find a solution together. All children learn to express their needs and become fully confident communicators. The childminder has complete confidence that all children can develop high levels of independence. Children demonstrate a can-do attitude to learning and self-care skills. For example, children know where to find their own plates and spoons for snack time. They navigate the kitchen cupboards and help each other to find the right size of utensils.

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need to do better?

n The childminder has a highly impressive understanding of how to plan and implement the curriculum for children. She knows the children extremely well and observes children's progress closely with thorough assessments. She plans superb opportunities for them to develop the next steps in their learning. For example, she prepares a sea creatures activity, which builds on the children's interests through the work of their parents. Children explore marine life and name animals correctly, and tell the inspector about manta rays. n The childminder has developed a deep understanding of how children develop their mathematical skills. She uses mathematical language with the children at every opportunity. For example, the childminder has developed activities that teach children to instantly recognise the number of objects and then match their numerals. This is a key skill in mathematical learning.

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need to do better?

14 March 2023 n Children are actively encouraged to assess and manage their own risks. For instance, children ask if they can try to cut a birthday cake. The childminder facilitates this request by supporting children to use a sharp knife. She explains how best to hold the knife for safety and helps children to cut it. The childminder does this in such a confident manner that children, in turn, know that they will be supported to try new things. n The childminder plans an extensive range of educationally focused outings, emphasising social skills in her curriculum to ensure that children have many different social interactions within the local community. For example, she regularly takes children to a phonics group, library and other childminders, some of whom share care of the children on different days. This has a very positive impact on children's social skills in preparation for school and ensures continuity

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need to do better?

of care between providers. n Children have many opportunities to develop their physical skills. For instance, children learn muscle control as they paint with water on the fencing, go for walks, and jump on the trampoline. Children begin to develop control of their bodies and the strength in their hands and arms that will prepare them for writing when the time comes. n Parents speak extremely well of the childminder. Her tenacious efforts to remain a source of support and education for children and parents is evident in the outstanding feedback from them. The childminder shares precise information about the progress in the children's learning. Parents comment on the significant progress that their children have made since joining the provision. The childminder works in partnership with parents to support and improve speech, language and communication skills. Parents are grateful for the many first-hand

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need to do better?

learning experiences that the childminder offers. n The ambitious childminder has an exceptional attitude to improving her own practice and reflects on all aspects of her provision. She is keen to maintain and further develop her extremely high standards of practice. She keeps her practice up to date, attends training, and studies to degree level. She shares ideas with other childminders and reads widely to deepen her knowledge.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The childminder has an excellent understanding of her role to safeguard and protect children. She has effective safeguarding procedures in place to ensure children are safe. The childminder keeps her knowledge of safeguarding and local procedures up to date through regular training. The childminder is familiar with the signs and symptoms that may indicate a child is at risk of possible abuse, including being exposed to extreme views. The childminder knows the correct procedures to follow if she had concerns about the welfare of a child or any allegations were to be made against a member of her household. The setting is safe and secure, and the childminder carries out regular safety checks. She encourages children to help to tidy away toys to minimise hazards to their health and safety.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY490083 Local authority Essex Inspection number 10280144 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 5 Number of children on roll 7 Date of previous inspection 10 August 2017

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2015 and lives in Colchester, Essex. She provides care all year round, from 8am to 5.30pm, Monday to Friday, except for bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder holds a relevant qualification at level 3. She provides funded early education for 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 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 the quality of teaching during activities, indoors and outside, and assessed the impact this has on children's learning. n The inspector checked evidence of the suitability of all household members and the qualifications of the childminder. She also discussed the childminder's self- evaluation. n Parents shared their views of the setting with the inspector through written testimonials.

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Inspection activities

14 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

14 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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