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

p.1

The provision is good

Children are happy and content. The childminder welcomes them warmly into her relaxing and friendly environment. Children develop close attachments to the childminder and her assistants and this helps them to feel safe and protected. The childminder sets clear expectations for the children and their behaviour is excellent. They demonstrate their willingness to please as they play cooperatively together. The childminder gently encourages children to take turns and introduces games that reinforce this concept.

p.2

The provision is good

Children are confident and sociable and make good progress in their learning. The childminder nurtures children who are learning to speak English as a second language. She plans an ambitious curriculum to challenge children in their learning and they make rapid progress. The childminder fully understands what children need to learn and how to keep them engaged. She offers an extremely good balance between well-planned activities and free play, so children make choices in their learning and are not easily distracted.

p.2

The provision is good

Children have regular opportunities for physical activity through daily access to a well-equipped garden and visits to parks and other local amenities. Children learn about nature as they gently stroke a family dog's tiny newborn puppies. They see how caterpillars turn into butterflies and experience the awe and wonder of the world around them.

p.2

need to do better?

n The childminder plans interesting activities that promote children's speech and language development. She encourages children to use each other's names as they learn to take turns during games. The childminder engages children in conversation, patiently listening to them as they learn to form words. Children enjoy playing a matching game, saying the names of objects and matching the colours. n Children are independent. They choose from a wide variety of good-quality resources. They tidy away the toys after playing and know where they belong. They sort them into containers, with older children helping the younger ones. n The childminder teaches children about safety and hygiene. They wash their hands before eating and they learn to sit still at the table for their lunch. Children feed themselves and learn about foods that are good for their health. The childminder promotes children's physical development well. They practise

p.2

need to do better?

their fine motor skills as they fit shapes into puzzle trays. The childminder talks to children about the pictures they can see and how to make the shapes fit. n Children have access to a wide range of books in all corners of the setting. They choose books independently and this supports their growing interest in literacy

p.2

need to do better?

17 October 2023 and helps them to become ready for school. Children are enthralled as they sit and listen quietly to a story. They help to turn pages and enjoy participating as they open flaps and pretend to 'pop' a balloon that features in the story. n The childminder teaches children about different festivals and seasons throughout the year. They collect conkers to celebrate autumn and engage in creative activities. They learn about the cultures of their friends in the setting and help them to celebrate their special times of the year. Parents are keen to tell the inspector how the childminder acknowledges their children's differences and uniqueness through the activities she provides. n Parents are delighted with the care and education their children receive. The childminder understands the importance of working in partnership with parents. She discusses their children's development and shares daily diaries. The

p.2

need to do better?

childminder supports parents and offers advice where needed. For example, if children fall behind in their learning due to holidays or other absences, the childminder works closely with parents to ensure a collaborative approach to regain children's progress. n The childminder manages her setting well. She is conscientious in her record keeping. She provides work experience for young students. The childminder shares planning with her assistants and supports them well. She provides first- aid training for them in her setting. However, she does not take full advantage of all opportunities to monitor and evaluate the performance of her assistants or offer them ongoing training opportunities. n The childminder thinks about the effectiveness of her own practice and takes account of written feedback from parents. However, she has not pursued continuous professional development opportunities to gain more up-to-date

p.3

need to do better?

knowledge and to raise the quality of her teaching to the highest level.

p.3

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

p.3

Safeguarding

The childminder has a broad understanding of a range of safeguarding issues. She is fully aware of her responsibilities to protect children and understands where to report any concerns she may have. The childminder knows what to do if she receives an allegation against herself or a member of her household. She risk assesses her environment to ensure the safety of children in her care.

p.3

should:

n build on existing arrangements for monitoring assistants' performance and knowledge n develop further opportunities to identify relevant training, to ensure knowledge is up to date and to extend the quality of teaching to the highest level.

p.3

Setting details

Unique reference number EY493166 Local authority Essex Inspection number 10304828 Type of provision Childminder

p.4

Registers

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

p.4

inspection

Total number of places 12 Number of children on roll 22 Date of previous inspection 1 February 2018

p.4

Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2015 and lives in Chelmsford, Essex. She operates all year round from 7.20am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, apart from bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder works with her daughter as her assistant occasionally and her husband as an assistant regularly. She provides funded early education for three- and four-year-old children.

p.4

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 her evaluation of the setting. n The childminder discussed her intentions for children's learning and how she implements her early years curriculum. n The inspector observed the quality of teaching during activities and assessed the impact this has on children's learning. n Children communicated with the inspector during the inspection. n The inspector spoke to a parent and read parental testimonials. n The inspector viewed relevant documentation including the childminder's paediatric first-aid certificate.

p.4

Inspection activities

17 October 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.

p.4

Inspection activities

17 October 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.

p.5

Inspection activities

If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 1231, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk .

p.6

Inspection activities

You may reuse this information (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. To view this licence, visit www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/ , write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk

p.6

Inspection activities

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more information and updates: http://eepurl.com/iTrDn .

p.6

Inspection activities

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/ofsted

p.6