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 Inadequate

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The provision is good

Children are happy and confident in this home-from-home environment. They demonstrate that they feel a sense of security in the childminder's care. Children readily hold the childminder's hand as they walk with her back into the house. The childminder encourages good behaviour and kindness in her home. As a result, children form good friendships and are caring towards each other. For example, as children arrive at the setting, they hug each other, demonstrating their affection for one another.

p.2

The provision is good

Children have regular access to the outdoors, where they have space to develop their large muscles and coordination. They excitedly play peekaboo in the garden with the childminder. She heightens their excitement each time they catch her eye and offers them a 'high five' as they run past. Young children are keen to show visitors their confidence and resilience as they demonstrate how they have learned to ride a scooter.

p.2

The provision is good

The childminder knows her children well and plans a curriculum that builds on what children already know and can do. She places a focus on supporting children's speech and language development. The childminder frequently engages children in conversation and provides commentary as they play. Children listen and repeat back new words they hear. This contributes well to the progress children are making in their learning. As a result, young children are particularly confident communicators.

p.2

need to do better?

n The childminder has addressed the action raised at the last inspection. She has reviewed her policies and procedures to ensure her practice meets requirements. The childminder continually updates her knowledge to make sure it meets the needs of all the children who attend. She focuses on additional training to further develop her professional development to help her support all children. n The childminder gathers detailed information from parents before children start at her setting. She uses this information to help celebrate children's uniqueness. For example, she collects key words in children's home language and uses books to help children understand their similarities and differences. This promotes children's respect for different family dynamics and home languages. n The childminder has a good understanding of how children learn and develop. She regularly observes children to ensure their continual progress and to help

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need to do better?

her identify gaps in children's learning. She uses this information to plan next steps for children. However, on occasion, the childminder does not identify and respond to children's emerging interests quickly enough to extend their learning even further.

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need to do better?

7 September 2023 n Children are motivated and eager to learn. The childminder encourages all children to make choices in their play. For example, children help her to choose the resources that they want out in the garden. The childminder is mindful of how she organises resources so that children do not become overwhelmed and to help them to focus their attention. As a result, children show high levels of engagement in their learning. n Children are starting to learn how to keep themselves safe and healthy. For instance, when they pick fresh fruit in her garden, the childminder prompts them to be careful of the uneven ground. The childminder makes sure that children follow good hygiene practices, such as washing their hands before they eat and washing the fruit that they have picked. However, she does not consistently explain to children why this is important. This limits children's understanding of why these practices are important, to maintain their overall health.

p.2

need to do better?

n The childminder carefully threads young children's next steps into the activities she provides. She focuses her interactions to help children to recognise and compare different colours. For example, when children pick fresh raspberries, she explains that they can only pick red ones and demonstrates the deep colour they need to identify. This helps to develop children's understanding of variations in colours. Children demonstrate their understanding, telling her they can see one that is 'not too red'. n Partnerships with parents are extremely positive. Parents share that their children receive high-quality care from the childminder. They state that she is professional and friendly. Older children share their written views, stating, 'Thank you for being a great childminder'. Parents say that they appreciate the effort that the childminder makes to support their home language within the setting.

p.3

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

p.3

Safeguarding

The childminder understands her responsibilities to protect the children in her care. She attends regular training and reads articles to support her knowledge and understanding of how to keep children safe. The childminder has completed safeguarding training to ensure that her knowledge is up to date. She is confident in recognising the potential signs and indicators of abuse and understands how to report concerns. The childminder has in-depth knowledge of safeguarding concerns that pose a risk to children, such as female genital mutilation and county lines.

p.3

should:

n respond more quickly to children's emerging interests to build on and further extend their learning

p.3

should:

7 September 2023 n build on children's understanding of the importance of good hygiene practice.

p.3

Setting details

Unique reference number EY489566 Local authority Essex Inspection number 10284710 Type of provision Childminder

p.5

Registers

Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register Day care type Childminder

p.5

inspection

Total number of places 6 Number of children on roll 16 Date of previous inspection 15 March 2023

p.5

Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2015 and lives in Colchester, Essex. She operates all year round, from 7.30am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, except for bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder offers funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children.

p.5

Inspection activities

n The inspector discussed any continued impact of the pandemic with the childminder and has taken that into account in their evaluation of the childminder. n The childminder showed the inspector the premises and discussed how they ensure it is safe and suitable. n The childminder spoke to the inspector about children's learning and development, with a particular focus on communication and language. 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 shared their views of the setting with the inspector. n The childminder provided the inspector with a sample of key documentation on request.

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Inspection activities

7 September 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

7 September 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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