Childminder in Essex

Overall effectiveness Good

The quality of education Good Behaviour and attitudes Outstanding Personal development Good Leadership and management Good Overall effectiveness at previous inspection Inadequate

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The provision is good

Children laugh and sing spontaneously while playing. They are extremely happy and very interested in the activities on offer. Children develop secure and trusting relationships with the childminder. They have good opportunities to develop their physical skills. For example, they thoroughly enjoy using wheeled toys, demonstrating increasing control as they carefully drive around the garden avoiding others. Children gain a good awareness of themselves. For instance, they show how they are feeling by pointing to pictures of happy or sad faces and are encouraged to talk about how they feel. This helps them to develop an understanding of their different emotions and begin building a vocabulary to help them express this to others.

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The provision is good

The childminder nurtures children to become self-assured in their abilities. Children show an extremely positive attitude to learning and everyday tasks. They are very considerate of each other and the childminder, forming excellent friendships. For example, when others become upset, children hurry to comfort them. The childminder offers plenty of purposeful encouragement and praise. This motivates children boosting their self-esteem. The childminder talks with them when they are putting on their shoes. If they become frustrated, she encourages them to remain calm, as this will help them to think and fix their problem more easily. Children know exactly what is expected of them and their behaviour is excellent.

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need to do better?

n Since the last inspection, the childminder has made significant changes to her garden. Fencing is now in place at the end of the garden and the five-bar gate has been made safe. These measures prevent children being able to leave unescorted. Furthermore, new fencing has created a large, enclosed garden that children can easily access from the playroom. The outside space is used extremely well to enrich the curriculum and enable children to enjoy plenty of fresh air and exercise. n The childminder works effectively with parents, gaining information from them when children begin in her setting. She uses this information to help her plan a curriculum that is based on the next steps in children's learning. The childminder implements a variety of effective learning experiences, including outings. This helps all children to make good progress, regardless of their starting points. n Children's thinking skills are encouraged as the childminder questions them while

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need to do better?

they play. However, this approach is not consistent, for example, when making bubbles in water, she tells them that they can make more bubbles by splashing. This does not enable children to guess what might happen or challenge them further. n Children develop a love of singing and books. The childminder captures their

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need to do better?

13 September 2023 interest, reading and singing in an expressive way. Children repeat familiar phrases and copy words, demonstrating good memory skills. They use an increasing range of vocabulary that helps to prepare them for their next stage in learning. Good attention is given to school readiness. Children develop skills, such as managing personal hygiene, being confident to use their voice and gaining the ability to socialise with others. n Children have opportunities to learn about their community. For example, they visit the local forest and playgroups. These opportunities help to expand their understanding of the wider world. Children learn how to keep safe and follow instructions well. For instance, during snack, they learn to use knives safely. Children successfully cut and prepare their snack ready to eat. n Parents are very happy with the care their children receive. They know what their children are doing and their next steps in learning, and how they can

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need to do better?

support them to learn at home. The childminder liaises with other professionals effectively. This helps to support children and their families. n The childminder provides healthy snacks and drinks for children. She promotes good oral health, and when visiting an allotment the childminder helps children to learn about foods that help them grow and thrive. n The childminder pays good attention to her professional development. She uses the knowledge she gains from training to enhance her provision. She reflects on her practice to identify gaps, as well as any gaps in children's learning and development. This helps to ensure that she provides good-quality curriculum.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

p.3

Safeguarding

The childminder takes her responsibility to safeguard children extremely seriously. She completes regular training to keep her knowledge up to date. She is very clear about the procedures to follow should she have a concern about a child's welfare. The learning environment is clean, safe, and suitable for children. Regular checks of the premises and places visited while on outings are carried out. Children are always supervised well. They learn about the risks posed to them when playing inside or outside and how to manage these. Furthermore, the childminder shares important information with parents and is diligent in following up on absence to ensure that she protects children's well-being.

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should:

n improve practice to ensure children have plenty of time to investigate, repeat and develop their learning.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY431497 Local authority Essex Inspection number 10285070 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 8 Date of previous inspection 16 March 2023

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2011 and lives in Elsenham, Essex. She operates all year round, from 7.30am to 6.30pm, Monday to Thursday, except for bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder holds an appropriate qualification at level 3. She provides funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children.

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Inspection activities

n The inspector discussed the impact of the pandemic with the provider, and this has been taken into account in their evaluation of the setting. n The provider and inspector discussed the learning offered to children inside and outside. n The inspector carried out discussions with the childminder about the activities during the inspection, and together they evaluated these. n Children spoke to the inspector about what they enjoy doing in the setting. n The inspector reviewed relevant documentation, including the suitability checks of all adults living in the home. n Parents provided written feedback for the inspector, to take into consideration.

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Inspection activities

13 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

13 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

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

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