Charlies House Childminding and Nursery

Inspection of Charlies House Childminding and Nursery 352 Coggeshall Road, Braintree CM7 9EH

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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

Staff warmly welcome children and families as they arrive. This gives children the confidence to separate from their parents or carers with ease. Children are pleased to see their peers and settle quickly with familiar adults. Staff have high expectations of children's behaviour. Pre-school children show that they are able to independently regulate their own and others' behaviour. For example, they explain to their friends that if they share their toys with them, they are expected to share too.

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The provision is good

Staff provide a stimulating curriculum with activities both indoors and outdoors for all children. As a result, children demonstrate high levels of engagement. Toddlers 'perform' songs on the outdoor stage and show much perseverance and resilience as they get straight back on their balance bicycle after falling off into a muddy puddle. Babies negotiate 'toddling' in the ball pit and curiously watch the sensory light show. Pre-school children are articulate and confidently recall events important to them with others. They show a growing independence and readiness for school as the 'special helper' sets the table and ensures everyone has the right cutlery for their lunch.

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The provision is good

Staff in each room focus firmly on developing children's communication and language skills. Children share stories and develop a love of reading. Staff also support parents to enjoy and extend this aspect of learning with their children at home.

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need to do better?

n The leadership and management of the setting has strengthened since the last inspection. Any concerns about children are now referred to the relevant authorities in a timely manner, in order to protect them from potential harm. n Room leaders have a clear understanding of their roles and responsibilities. They are confident about their curriculum intent and what it is they want children to learn. They understand how to sequence learning to build on what children already know and can do. For example, they understand that young children need lots of opportunities to build strength in the small muscles in their hands and fingers before being able to hold and control a pencil. n Partnerships with parents are good. Staff keep parents up to date about their children's development. Feedback from parents is overwhelmingly positive. They and their children enjoy the 'family feel' of the staff team and the home-from-

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need to do better?

home environment. n Meal and snack times are social occasions. Staff supervise children well. They sit with children and share lively and engaging discussions. The kitchen manager adapts menus and meals to meet all children's specific dietary requirements,

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need to do better?

19 October 2023 which keeps them safe and promotes their good health. n The provider has undertaken much research on the benefits to children of sleeping outdoors in the fresh air. There are safe and suitable arrangements for children to do this if parents wish, and in a way that promotes their well-being. There is also a cosy sleep room for those children who prefer to sleep indoors. n Children make good progress from their developmental starting points. However, staff lack information about the range of experiences children have already had when they start, or take part in when not at the setting. This does not help staff to plan swiftly and accurately to fill any gaps, especially where funding is available to individual children for this purpose. n Staff understand and implement positive behaviour management strategies to get the best from children. This helps children to regulate their own emotions.

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need to do better?

n Support for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities is good and is led and overseen by a knowledgeable special educational needs coordinator who does all she can to provide effective support for children and their families. Support for children who speak English as an additional language and children who find communicating more difficult, continues to be developed since the last inspection. n The provider and manager demonstrate commitment to ongoing improvement. They value the staff team and work hard to demonstrate this to them. As a result, staff morale is high and they demonstrate that they love their job and working with the children and families. n The provider has clear oversight of the quality of provision and demonstrates that she is able to accurately assess and evaluate strengths and weaknesses. She provides staff with clear guidance and support to promote their professional

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need to do better?

development and interactions with children.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

All safeguarding policies and procedures have been reviewed and strengthened since the last inspection to ensure that children's safety and well-being is prioritised. Training is ongoing to ensure staff's safeguarding knowledge remains up to date. Staff are clear about the signs and symptoms of the different types of abuse that children may be at risk from. They know who to go to should they need to report any concerns about a child or colleague. The provider keeps appropriate documentation to support their effective safeguarding arrangements. Robust recruitment and induction arrangements ensure that staff are clear about their roles and responsibilities and only those working with children are suitable to do so.

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should:

19 October 2023 n extend the range of information sought from parents when children start at the setting to enhance the provision, support and learning for children at the very earliest opportunity.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 2663806 Local authority Essex Inspection number 10300304 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises

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Registers

Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register Day care type Full day care

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inspection

Total number of places 42 Number of children on roll 140

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Name of registered person

Charlie's House Childminding and Nursery Partnership

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reference number

Telephone number 07833221793 Date of previous inspection 31 May 2023

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Information about this early years setting

Charlies House Childminding and Nursery re-registered in 2021 and is based in Braintree. The nursery is open for 48 weeks of the year from 7am to 6pm, Monday to Friday. There are 16 members of staff employed to work with the children. Of these, nine hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 2 and above, including one who holds qualified teacher status. The nursery also employs a kitchen manager and cleaner. The nursery is in receipt of funding for early education for two-, three- and four-old children.

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Inspection activities

n The inspector discussed any continued impact of the pandemic with the provider and has taken that into account in their evaluation of the provider. n The room leaders and inspector completed a learning walk together and discussed how the curriculum is organised. n The inspector observed the quality of teaching during activities indoors and outdoors and assessed the impact this has on children's learning. n The inspector spoke with staff at appropriate times throughout the inspection. n Children spoke to the inspector about the activities they were doing. n The inspector carried out a joint observation with the provider. n The inspector held a meeting with the provider and the nursery manager. She looked at relevant documentation and reviewed evidence of the suitability of staff working in the nursery. n Parents and carers spoke to the inspector during the inspection and the inspector took account of their views.

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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

19 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.

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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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