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 experience lots of fun while in the care of this childminder. They arrive confidently and put away their own coats and shoes on their pegs. This helps to give all children a sense of belonging. The childminder encourages children to learn about a culture of respect. Older children show great levels of pride when asked to help give drinks to their friends at mealtimes. This helps them to gain a sense of responsibility.

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The provision is good

Children are learning to be increasingly independent with managing their own self- care needs. Older children enjoy the task of washing up their own bowl after mealtimes. Younger children learn to wash their hands independently and enjoy making bubbles with the soap as they rub their hands together.

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The provision is good

Children show high levels of fascination and interest in learning. They enjoy working collaboratively with their friends and the childminder to build their own train track. Children confidently communicate to each other about which pieces of track they are using, and discuss where they are going to place them. The warm interactions of the childminder and her assistant encourage children to listen to the views and ideas of others. This supports all children to feel valued while in her care.

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need to do better?

n The childminder has created a curriculum that explores children's natural curiosity of the world around them. She uses her detailed knowledge to skilfully incorporate different areas of learning into her teaching. This helps all children to make good progress in their learning. Children's communication and language development is well supported. The childminder sensitively repeats back words or phrases that children say to her, modelling the correct pronunciation. She narrates young children's play and offers them praise as they explore the environment independently. Older children are encouraged to think about different foods that they have fed to the birds in the garden, while bird-spotting with binoculars. n Children generally behave well. The childminder models good manners such as saying 'please' and 'thank you', and offers children praise when they repeat these back to her. However, the childminder does not consistently support

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need to do better?

children to develop an awareness of why behaviour rules are in place. Therefore, children do not learn to understand the impact of their own actions. n Children beam as they use a flower checklist to hunt for flowers in the garden with their friends. They enjoy exploring a spring-themed activity tray with the childminder, and practise their embedded early mathematical knowledge. They enjoy exploring different colours to match the bees together and begin to learn

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need to do better?

23 March 2023 language of size by making comparisons between big and small objects. The experienced childminder discusses with children how bees make honey. Children smile and recall previous learning with the childminder of a book they read at the library, which was about a bear who ate honey. n The childminder knows the children in her care very well. She confidently uses observation and assessment to help her monitor children's progress. She swiftly works in partnership with parents to identify any gaps in children's learning, and signposts them to the correct support if required. This supports children to make good progress in their learning and develop the skills needed to prepare them for their next stage in education. n The childminder ensures that effective communication takes place between herself and parents regarding children's learning, including when they first join. Parents state that the childminder is a wonderful role model and that children

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need to do better?

are extremely happy in her care. Parents report that they feel well supported by the childminder, as she provides them with strategies and tips to support their children's learning and needs at home. n The childminder is knowledgeable and committed to her role. She values professional development opportunities and uses these regularly to keep her knowledge up to date. The childminder adopts a reflective approach to her own provision, which allows her to make well informed improvements to enhance her own practice. The childminder works closely alongside her assistants to ensure that they have a clear understanding of shared policies and procedures.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The childminder and her assistants prioritise children's safety and welfare. They have secure knowledge of the signs and symptoms that may indicate a child is at risk from harm. They have a sound understanding of their policies and procedures to record and report concerns, and confidently discuss how they would contact outside professionals if necessary. The childminder and her assistants receive regular training, including on wider safeguarding issues such as preventing radicalisation, and the importance of teaching British values and monitoring children's attendance. The childminder understands how to manage allegations against herself or her assistants. She conducts regular risk assessments to ensure the environment is safe and secure for children.

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should:

n provide consistent opportunities for children to develop their understanding of how their own actions affect others, and help them to learn why behaviour rules are in place.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 402407 Local authority Essex Inspection number 10280619 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 10 Date of previous inspection 31 August 2017

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2001 and lives in Chelmsford, Essex. She operates all year round, from 7am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, except for bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder holds a relevant qualification at level 3. She sometimes works with assistants who are all family members. 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 childminder showed the inspector the premises and discussed how they ensure those are safe and suitable. n The childminder and the inspector discussed how the childminder organises their early years provision including the aims and rationale for their early years foundation stage curriculum. n Children spoke to the inspector about what they enjoy doing while with the childminder. n The inspector observed the interactions between the childminder, her assistants and children. n The childminder and inspector discussed how the curriculum had been implemented and the impact that this had on children's learning. n Parents electronically shared their views of the childminder with the inspector.

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Inspection activities

n The childminder provided the inspector with a sample of key documentation on request.

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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

23 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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