Childminder in Essex

Overall effectiveness Outstanding

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

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The provision is outstanding

The enthusiastic childminder has created a well-designed environment, which is highly aspirational. Children thrive in a wonderfully nurturing and awe-inspiring environment. They develop strong, trusting relationships with the childminder and her assistant. This helps them to feel safe and happy. The childminder offers a broad and stimulating curriculum, which is precisely tailored to each child. This successfully builds on what children already know and can do. Babies investigate sensory toys, such as textured balls and crinkly books. These support them to explore and start to build on their curiosity. The childminder and her assistant support children through an array of first-hand experiences. Children learn to help and care for the childminder's pet tortoises. They visit local recycling centres and learn the importance of recycling.

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The provision is outstanding

Children enthusiastically engage in active learning that ignites their motivation to learn. For example, children explore freezing water and melting ice. They become captivated as they watch in awe as the ice begins to melt when they add warm water. The childminder asks in-depth questions which spark children's critical thinking as to why ice melts. Children articulate their thoughts and ideas. They say, 'Ice melts when hot and turns to water'.

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The provision is outstanding

Children use an impressive range of language and vocabulary. They remember and understand words, such as 'huddle', explaining 'that penguins do it to keep warm'. Children's behaviour is impeccable. They play cooperatively together, take turns, share and are polite. The childminder gives children meaningful praise and encouragement. As a result, they have an excellent level of confidence and self- esteem.

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need to do better?

n This inspiring childminder strives for excellence. She monitors her setting regularly to ensure that her provision is highly effective. The childminder continuously provides children with new, inspiring experiences. For example, they take part in the 'litter picking project'. Children learn to care for the environment by keeping it free from litter. They visit the local supermarket to buy food for snack. Children use the self-scanner at the till and pay using money or a card. n The quality of teaching is exemplary. The childminder and her assistant have superb knowledge of the children in their care. Together they support them to make excellent progress in all areas of learning. For example, children use chunky chalks to make marks on the patio. The childminder skilfully extends their learning by encouraging them to use paint brushes and water to trace over the marks. Together they look at the changes that occur in the textures of chalk

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need to do better?

26 January 2024 as they add water. Children say, 'It looks like paint'. n Children's language and communication skills are exceptional for their ages. The childminder engages with babies in meaningful vocal interactions. She sings and talks to babies during their play and they respond with babbling and early attempts at sounds. The childminder encourages children to ask probing questions and repeat new words. She offers new vocabulary throughout the day, for example, 'drip' as the ice melts in their hands and 'Antarctic' as they discuss where penguins live. n The childminder and her assistant plan a superb range of trips and experiences that broaden children's horizons. They visit the local library, the dentist and the zoo. They use public transport and travel on buses and trains. Children attend toddler groups, singing and rhyme sessions, to enhance their social skills. These rich experiences add to the children's understanding of the wider community.

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need to do better?

n Children show they are exceptionally independent at a young age. Toddlers cut their snack using a safety knife. Older children put on their coats and independently go to the toilet. Children know how to wipe their noses and put their tissues in the bin. Older children remind younger children to wash their hands after wiping their noses saying, 'germs'. n The childminder embeds mathematical language throughout all activities. She expertly weaves mathematical language into children's play. Children learn about shapes and use language such as 'smallest' and 'biggest. The childminder encourages children to use their fingers to represent numbers up to five. Children excitedly use their fingers to describe how many pieces of chalk they have collected. n Partnerships with parents are exceptional. Parents highlight the fantastic learning environment that enhances their children's development. They state the

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need to do better?

amount of effort that the childminder and her assistant provides to make sure education is fun and exciting, 'is phenomenal'. Parents comment on the wonderful experiences their children gain when on trips. They praise the childminder and her assistant for their 'kind', 'caring' approach that makes their children feel valued.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

There is an open and positive culture around safeguarding that puts children's interests first.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY499980 Local authority Essex Inspection number 10311956 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 12 Number of children on roll 26 Date of previous inspection 16 April 2018

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2016 and works with an assistant. She lives in Witham, Essex. She operates all year around, from 7am to 6pm on Monday to Friday, except for bank holidays and family holidays. She provides funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children.

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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 their evaluation of the childminder. n The childminder showed the inspector the premises and discussed how they ensure it is safe and suitable. n The childminder and inspector discussed how the curriculum has been implemented and the impact that this has on children's learning. n The inspector observed the quality of education being provided, indoors and outdoors and assessed the impact on children's learning. n The inspector held a number of discussions with the childminder and her assistant at appropriate times during the inspection. n The inspector spoke to children during the inspection. n The inspector took account of the views of parents, through written feedback they shared with the childminder.

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Inspection activities

n Discussions were held between the childminder and her assistant and the inspector, to help establish their understanding of how to safeguard the children in their care. n The childminder provided the inspector with a sample of key documentation on request. n The inspector completed a joint observation with the childminder.

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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

26 January 2024 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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