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 Requires improvement

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The provision is good

Children enjoy their time with the childminder. They are happy, settle easily and confident in her company. Children explore a good range of resources that help to support their overall learning and development. They listen to familiar stories, matching pictures of fruit and other food correctly to the pictures in the book. Children show their understanding of the world around them as they remind the childminder that caterpillars turn into butterflies. They freely use numbers in their play. For example, children count how many toy insects they have caught in their scoops. They show a good awareness of the natural world as they individually name the different insects. Children learn good social skills. They respond to the childminder's guidance using 'please' and 'thank you'.

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The provision is good

Children make good levels of progress in relation to their starting points. They quickly recall the names and colours of fruits as they remember what the hungry caterpillar ate. Children tell the childminder the names of the insects as they go on a bug hunt around the garden. They confidently use mathematical and positional language to describe the size and location of the insects. Children learn to distinguish between different shades of colour as they colour in pictures of butterflies. They proudly tell the childminder that they are using dark and light shades of yellow.

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need to do better?

n Overall, children use a good range of language, and they communicate confidently with the childminder. They enjoy listening to stories and point out features on the pages as she reads. However, at times, the childminder does not allow children sufficient time to think about their own responses to her questions. n Parent partnerships are good. Parents comment in emails and written testimonials how happy they are with the care and educational opportunities their children receive. The childminder works closely with parents and teachers to support good levels of continuity in children's care, learning and development. Information sharing helps to keep parents aware of how their children have been at school. The childminder updates parents of their children's progress so that information can be shared with other settings that children also attend to help promote continuity in their learning and development.

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need to do better?

n The childminder observes and assesses children's progress. She uses her knowledge of children's interests along with what they need to learn next to plan and provide an effective educational programme. Consequently, children are curious learners and keen to take part in activities. The childminder continually praises children for their achievements, which help to develop their self-esteem and confidence.

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need to do better?

24 April 2023 n Children behave very well. The childminder is very attentive to children's needs. However, at times, this stops them from learning how to manage age- appropriate tasks for themselves and become independent. For example, the childminder quickly wipes their noses clean before children have a chance to manage this for themselves. n Children enjoy playing outside in the childminder's garden. She encourages them to use their developing physical skills to catch and kick large balls. Children search in the grass for hidden toy minibeasts and peer through magnifying glasses to see the insects' features more closely. They use their fingers and thumbs to open and close small scoops, collecting the toy bugs off the grass before placing them back in a tray of leaves. n The childminder reflects on what she provides for children, taking into account their likes and dislikes. She identifies areas to focus on next through listening

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need to do better?

and observing the children. For example, having noted the current interest in caterpillars and butterflies, the childminder is waiting for a delivery of caterpillars in their 'chrysalis'. This will enable the children to further extend their learning as they observe the changes and see the butterflies emerge. n The childminder completes training to maintain her practice, including mandatory training such as paediatric first aid. She has links with other childminders and uses online childminding resources to further develop her skills and knowledge.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The childminder updates her safeguarding knowledge regularly to ensure she can recognise the signs and symptoms that may indicate children are at risk of harm. She knows what action to take in the event of any concerns about children in her care. The childminder understands the dangers and risks to children from extremist behaviour and radicalisation. She keeps the contact numbers of statutory agencies, such as local safeguarding partners, close to hand to ensure that she can make timely referrals should the need arise.

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should:

n make greater use of opportunities to encourage children to identify and manage their own self-care needs n develop further the use of questions to enable children to extend their communication and language skills.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY348088 Local authority Essex Inspection number 10243666 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 9 Date of previous inspection 4 May 2022

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2007 and lives in Chelmsford, Essex. She operates all year round from 7am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, except for bank holidays and family holidays.

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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 inspector viewed all areas of the childminding provision and discussed the safety and suitability of the premises. n The childminder and the inspector completed a learning walk together to discuss their intentions for children's learning. 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 Parents provided the inspector with written feedback. n The childminder provided the inspector with a sample of key documentation on request.

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Inspection activities

24 April 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

24 April 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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