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 enter this welcoming and nurturing home-from-home provision and readily leave their parents at the door. Children are content and happy. They enjoy quality time with the childminder and her assistant, who support them to feel safe and secure. Children explore the indoor and outdoor environments with confidence. They choose from a wide range of inviting activities and age-appropriate resources that support all areas of learning and consider individual interests. Children become motivated learners and develop good concentration skills.

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The provision is good

The childminder interacts well with the children, and they frequently invite her to join in their play. The childminder promotes children's physical and emotional well- being. Children create an obstacle course in the garden and giggle with glee as the childminder gets stuck in the tunnel. They practise their critical-thinking skills as they come up with ideas to help to free her. Children's communication and language skills are well supported. They benefit from weekly trips to 'rhyme time' and toddler groups where they develop their speech and language skills while learning to make friendships. Children eagerly answer questions from the childminder. The childminder listens to children and gives them enough time to think and respond to what is being asked of them.

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need to do better?

n Overall, the quality of teaching is good. The childminder and her assistant work well together and have a clear understanding of how children learn and develop. The childminder monitors children's learning efficiently. She swiftly identifies gaps in children's progress and puts effective teaching strategies in place to reduce these. As a result, all children, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities, make good progress from their starting points. n The childminder has a clear ambition for children to become independent in all aspects of their development. For example, the childminder discusses the daily weather forecast and children decide how to dress appropriately. Children find their own coats and attempt to put them on by themselves. n The childminder generally implements good daily hygiene routines. Children consistently initiate washing their hands before eating and after going to the

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need to do better?

toilet. However, at times, the childminder does not promote hygiene practices sufficiently well. For example, she does not encourage children to put their dirty tissues in the bin and wash their hands after wiping their noses, to prevent the spread of germs. n Children are very sociable and play cooperatively with each other. Children show respect for each other, and older children invite younger children into their play. If there is a disagreement over a popular toy, the childminder supports children to think of ways to solve the problem for themselves. If they still need support,

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need to do better?

16 March 2023 they respond well to gentle prompts from the childminder. As a result, children learn to accept the needs of others and regulate their emotions successfully. n The childminder has a good understanding of healthy eating and maintaining a healthy lifestyle. However, she does not consistently promote clear messages that support children to make healthy choices, for example, with the food they choose to eat. n Early mathematics is skilfully integrated into children's everyday play experiences. During a sensory play activity, children take turns to roll a die and count the number of spots on it. They are able to transfer this skill and count the same number in drops of food colouring that they add into their 'magical potions'. This helps children to develop and consolidate mathematical concepts through play and helps them to remember long term what they have learned. n Children lead their own play and develop their imaginations. For example, they

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need to do better?

build on their ideas derived from an adult-led farmyard activity where they made a tent for animals to live. Children work together to construct a large den for themselves where they can sit and read their favourite story. n The childminder is extremely reflective and passionate about her role. Additionally, with her commitment to ongoing training, she delivers inclusive care for children and their families. Parents say they feel pivotal in their child's further learning at home. They have daily face-to-face communication with the childminder and receive online updates regarding their children's development.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

Safeguarding is of paramount importance. Effective daily risk assessments are in place to ensure that children can play safely indoors and outdoors. The childminder completes regular safeguarding training to underpin her practice and to keep up to date with local safeguarding issues. The childminder has robust knowledge of first aid and maintains a valid paediatric first-aid certificate. The childminder and her assistant demonstrate that they can identify children who may need early help or are at risk of neglect, abuse, grooming or exploitation. The childminder knows what action to take if an allegation is made against her, the assistant or household members.

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should:

n support children further to independently implement good hygiene routines and understand their importance n strengthen planning to ensure that children understand the importance of a balanced diet and how to make good healthy eating choices.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY489185 Local authority Thurrock Inspection number 10279942 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 20 Date of previous inspection 4 August 2017

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2015 and lives in Tilbury, Essex. She operates all year round from 7.30am to 5.30pm, Monday to Friday, except for bank holidays and holidays agreed in advance. The childminder holds a childcare qualification at level 3. She works with an assistant. The childminder 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 childminder and has taken that into account in their evaluation of the setting. n The inspector spoke with parents to gather their views and took account of written testimonials. n The childminder and the inspector had a learning walk together to discuss the childminder's intentions for children's learning. The childminder discussed how she ensures that the indoor and outside environments are safe and suitable. n The childminder discussed with the inspector how she will implement the curriculum and support all children to make progress, including how she intends to plan, observe and assess children in her care. n Children communicated with the inspector during the inspection. n The inspector observed the quality of education being provided indoors and

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Inspection activities

assessed the impact on children's learning. The inspector explored the outdoor environment. n The inspector carried out a joint observation with the childminder and discussed self-evaluation. n The inspector asked the childminder questions throughout the inspection to establish her understanding of how to safeguard children. n The inspector viewed evidence of the suitability of the childminder's assistant and persons living in the household.

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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

16 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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