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 are settled in the care of the childminder and her assistant, and they develop warm, trusting relationships with them. They are keen to join in with the activities provided. For example, children enjoy drawing their favourite superhero characters and riding scooters in the garden. Children have access to a range of resources to support their learning. They can freely access what they want to play with. The childminder and her assistant know what the children's interests are and ensure that their favourite toys are readily available for them when they arrive in the morning. For example, as they know the children like to play with cars or animals, they ensure that the children have access to a road mat and a selection of cars. Children find their favourite cars and spend time 'driving' them around the playroom floor.

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The provision is good

The childminder and her assistant talk to the children as they play to promote their language skills. This encourages children to engage in meaningful conversations as part of their language development. At times, children are engaged in activities that offer them some challenge and help them to learn new knowledge and skills. Children behave well. They listen to what the childminder says and respond positively to her and the assistant's requests and instructions. For example, they tidy their toys away before the routine changes for snack or lunch.

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need to do better?

n Children enjoy reading books and stories. They sit comfortably on the childminder's lap while the assistant reads a well-known story. They point at the pictures, explain what they see and count out loud and in sequence correctly. The childminder and her assistant help children to repeat single words, and they encourage babies to babble. The childminder encourages children to use the words they know rather than pointing to what they want. n Children are curious and enthusiastic in their play and show confidence in choosing activities that they want to engage in. Older children explore and access equipment from the cupboards and boxes provided, setting up resources for themselves, such as musical instruments. Younger children enjoy playing in the role-play kitchen, where they pretend to cook. n The childminder is aware of the requirement to complete the progress checks for children aged between two and three years. Sometimes, the checks are not

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need to do better?

completed in a timely manner to ensure that children's development needs are consistently met. n Children develop suitable levels of independence, such as feeding themselves, putting on and taking off their shoes, and washing their hands before they eat, which helps children to learn about good hygiene. At lunchtime, children eat their sandwiches provided by their parents, and they develop pleasant table

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need to do better?

29 June 2023 manners. n At times, children are engaged in activities that offer them some challenge and help them to learn new knowledge and skills. However, the childminder does not review the curriculum planning to ensure that individual activities are tailored to each child's needs and offer enough challenge to help them make consistently good progress. n Parents report that they are happy with the care their children receive. They say that they share information with the childminder and the assistant regularly and are kept informed about their children's days and routines. Parents say they particularly enjoy receiving updates via a mobile app, which shows their children engaged in activities. They comment that the childminder is supportive and praise her for the care and help the children and families receive from her. n The childminder takes children out into the local community. For example, they

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need to do better?

have opportunities to explore local parks and are visited by other childminders and their groups, during which times children meet others and learn to socialise. Children see different places and different people. This helps them to learn about the wider world. n The childminder and her assistant praise the children for their achievements, and this boosts their self-esteem. They help children to learn to share, take turns and play together cooperatively. As a result, children develop positive social skills as they play together.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The childminder and her assistant understand their roles and responsibilities in keeping children safe and are fully trained in safeguarding. They are aware of a wide range of safeguarding issues, such as the risk to children of exposure to extreme views, female genital mutilation, and different types of abuse. The childminder and her assistant know how to recognise signs that may indicate a child is at risk of harm. They understand the procedures to follow and who to contact if they are concerned about a child's welfare. The childminder is aware of what action to take if an allegation is made against herself, her assistant or a household member.

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should:

n review the curriculum planning so that children benefit from challenge that extends their learning further n strengthen the use of assessment, including the progress check between the ages of two and three years, to help provide a timely and consistent approach in meeting children's development needs.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY494978 Local authority Essex Inspection number 10289353 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 7 Date of previous inspection 21 November 2017

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2015 and lives in Harlow, Essex. She operates during term time, from 9.30am to 3.30pm, Monday to Friday. The childminder and her assistant hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 3.

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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 provider and has taken that into account in their evaluation of the provider. n The childminder and the inspector completed a learning walk together of all areas of the setting and discussed the early years curriculum. n The inspector completed a joint evaluation of an activity with the childminder. n The inspector held a number of discussions with the childminder, her assistant and children at appropriate times during the inspection. She looked at relevant documentation, including training certificates and registers of children's attendance. 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 The inspector requested relevant documentation and reviewed evidence of the

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Inspection activities

suitability of the childminder and the assistant. n The inspector took account of the views of parents through discussion and written feedback provided.

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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

29 June 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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