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 thoroughly enjoy their time with the childminder and her assistant. The childminder creates a welcoming and inviting environment within her home where children feel safe, valued and respected. Children engage in role play, offering each other 'ice cream' from the wooden ice-cream cart and talking about the different flavours. The childminder and her assistant have high expectations of the children and give them clear and consistent messages to help them to understand what is expected of them. This helps children to behave in a polite, caring and respectful manner.

p.2

The provision is good

Children's speech and language is developing well. The childminder and her assistant talk with children constantly at a pace that enables them to think, respond and ask their own questions. The childminder uses every opportunity to extend children's learning. For example, when children participate in a walk to the local shops, they stop to watch ducks on a stream and sing a well-known rhyme about ducks. They stop to explore a hairy caterpillar and talk about what colour it is, how it moves and what it will turn into. They suggest a frog and the childminder skilfully helps them to think about whether that is correct. Children jump enthusiastically in and out of muddy puddles, giggling at the loud noise it makes. The childminder takes advantage of the low road sign to draw the children's attention to text in the environment and encourages them to pick out letters that they recognise from their name. Children have fun counting in the run up to

p.2

The provision is good

throwing fallen leaves into the air and watching them fall all around them.

p.2

need to do better?

n The childminder and her assistant are committed to improving and developing their knowledge. They are both working towards recognised childcare qualifications, which is helping to enhance their professional development. The childminder talks about how this is helping her to understand the approaches of different early years theorists and how she uses this new-found understanding in her childcare provision. n Many parents provided written testimonials for the inspection. All of the parents speak highly of the childminder and her assistant and comment how their children are happy, settled and making good progress in their learning. They comment on the effective methods of communication between them and the childminder and how well they are informed about their child's day and what they have been learning. n Children have a good understanding of the childminder's routines and boundaries. They enthusiastically help to tidy toys away before snack and know

p.2

need to do better?

where they belong. They understand that they need to wash their hands before eating and help to wash their plates up when they have eaten. The childminder

p.2

need to do better?

13 November 2023 and her assistant frequently praise them and thank them for being so helpful. n The childminder and her assistant make good use of the local environment to enhance children's learning. They visit local places of interest, such as the farm and the zoo, as well as going for walks in the local area. The childminder confidently adapts every new experience to enhance children's learning. n Children are generally only cared for at the childminder's house for a short period each morning before spending the day at a local early years provision owned and run by the childminder. The childminder and her assistant work at the childcare setting, enabling them to continue to support the children as their key person. This helps to ensure that children's progress and development is consistently monitored and planned for. n The childminder has a clear vision for each child's learning and uses the knowledge she has about each child to develop a curriculum that is based on

p.2

need to do better?

their interests and next steps in learning. She places high importance on helping children to become independent. For example, she always waits for the child to have a go, before offering help if needed. As a result, children are confident in their abilities and are not afraid to try things for themselves. n The childminder supports and coaches her assistant to help her to develop her knowledge. There are informal arrangements in place, enabling the childminder and her assistant to speak regularly and discuss further learning. However, these arrangements are not yet effective enough to ensure consistent practice that helps children make the very best possible progress in their learning.

p.3

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

p.3

Safeguarding

The childminder and her assistant regularly update their safeguarding knowledge to take account of new guidance and safeguarding approaches. They recognise the signs and symptoms that might alert them that a child is at risk of harm and know how to refer any concerns to the local safeguarding partners. The childminder is knowledgeable about the action to take if there are any allegations against herself or her assistant.

p.3

should:

n strengthen the monitoring of assistants' practice to develop their knowledge and understanding of how children learn so that all children benefit from high-quality learning experiences.

p.3

Setting details

Unique reference number EY549160 Local authority Essex Inspection number 10317883 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 14 Date of previous inspection 5 December 2019

p.4

Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2017 and lives in Basildon. She operates all year round, from 7am to 7pm, Monday to Friday, except for bank holidays and family holidays agreed in advance. The childminder holds a childcare qualification at level 3. She works with assistants. The childminder 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 provider and has taken that into account in their evaluation of the provider. n The childminder showed the inspector all areas of their premises and discussed how she ensures that they are safe and suitable. n The childminder and the inspector completed a learning walk together to discuss her intentions for children's learning. 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 The childminder and the inspector discussed an observation and how the curriculum has been implemented and the impact that this has had on children's learning. n The childminder provided the inspector with written testimonials from parents, which the inspector took account of.

p.5

Inspection activities

n The childminder provided the inspector with a sample of key documentation on request.

p.5

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.

p.5

Inspection activities

13 November 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