Childminder in Southend on Sea

Overall effectiveness Requires improvement

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

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The provision requires improvement

Children are generally happy and settled in the childminder's care. The childminder and her assistants help children to understand the routines of the day, however, they are less effective at managing the behavioural needs of young children. As a result, children do not learn about the consequences of their actions. Teaching is variable and planning is not always based on what adults know that children can do to help them to progress and develop.

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The provision requires improvement

Despite this, children participate in a good range of activities. For example, they join in with activities with the childminder, which help them to understand positional language, placing their toy figure in, on, under and behind a box. The childminder uses language to help them to develop their thinking and models the word behind by standing behind a chair. The children excitedly follow her lead. The childminder encourages children to count and use number in their everyday play. They sing rhymes and chant songs together. Children enjoy the snacks and meals they have at the childminder's house. They know that they need to wash their hands before eating and excitedly help themselves to fresh fruit at snack time.

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need to do better?

n The childminder has made a number of improvements to her provision since the last inspection. She has developed her knowledge of the vetting procedures required when she employs an assistant and how to seek information about the person's suitability. The childminder now keeps relevant records accessible for inspection. She has helped her assistants to develop their safeguarding knowledge. There are now more effective arrangements for the assessment of risks and the childminder pays greater attention to her hygienic arrangements for children's well-being. n The childminder regularly works with up to two assistants. She meets with the assistants to discuss planning, ongoing suitability and the individual children being cared for. There is, however, less emphasis placed on either the childminder or her assistants updating their knowledge, for example, through training or research. As a result, the quality of teaching is variable and children

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need to do better?

do not always receive consistent learning experiences. n Children enjoy freely chosen play. For example, they access the books and sit comfortably to look at them together. The childminder and her assistant introduce toys and resources throughout the day that they think the children will enjoy, such as the large box of cars and car mat and magnetic shapes. The childminder's assistant encourages the children to build towers with the shapes and chats to them about what they are building. Although there is weekly planning in place, this is generic and not based effectively on the children's interests or developed around what they know children can already do.

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need to do better?

24 October 2023 n Adults do not have clear expectations of children's behaviour. For example, they do not manage the situation consistently when children destroy models that other children have spent a considerable amount of time building. This does not help children to learn to be kind and respectful of others. n Children have some opportunities to experience the local community when they go for walks in the neighbourhood. The childminder uses these opportunities to link to the theme, such as autumn. The children collect leaves and talk with the childminder and her assistant about the changes in the weather. n Parents state that their children are happy at the setting and they say that the childminder does a good job. The childminder sends parents a weekly newsletter, depicting the activities the children have participated in in photographs. She links these with the areas of learning in the 'Statutory

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need to do better?

framework for the early years foundation stage'. This helps parents to know what their children are learning. n Children develop their physical skills when they play outdoors in the childminder's garden. They negotiate climbing equipment, enjoy swinging on a low swing and develop their coordination skills as they kick balls to each other. The childminder and her assistant are on hand to help children to achieve these physical tasks.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The childminder and her assistants demonstrate appropriate safeguarding knowledge to enable them to recognise signs of abuse and act on them. They are aware of the signs that might alert them that a family is being drawn into extremist views. The childminder displays relevant information about the agencies to contact if they have any concerns about the children in their care. The childminder and her assistants meet regularly to discuss new guidance and safeguarding practice.

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Due date

improve knowledge of how to help children to understand the consequences of their actions, so that they learn about acceptable behaviour 25/11/2023

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Due date

review planning and the way in which resources are used to capture children's interests, build on what they already know and further enhance their learning 25/11/2023

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Due date

24 October 2023 strengthen arrangements to enable the continued development of practice, so that the quality of education is delivered at a consistently good standard. 25/11/2023

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY561516 Local authority Southend-on-Sea Inspection number 10243331 Type of provision Childminder

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Registers

Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register Day care type Childminder

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inspection

Total number of places 6 Number of children on roll 6 Date of previous inspection 3 May 2022

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2018 and lives in Westcliff-on-Sea, Essex. She operates all year round from 9.30am to 3.30pm, Monday to Friday, except bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder works with assistants. Shel provides funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children.

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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 provider. n The childminder showed the inspector the premises and discussed how they ensure they are safe and suitable. n The childminder and the inspector completed a learning walk together and discussed the childminder's intentions for children's learning. n The inspector spoke to assistants at appropriate times. n The inspector observed the quality of interactions between the childminder and her assistants and the children. n The childminder and inspector discussed how the curriculum had been implemented and the impact this had on children's learning. n The childminder showed the inspector a sample of relevant documents. n Parents shared their views of the childminder's provision.

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Inspection activities

24 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.

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Inspection activities

24 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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