Childminder in Thurrock

Overall effectiveness Outstanding

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

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The provision is outstanding

The childminder provides an extremely homely and comforting environment that helps children to feel safe. She has a warm and nurturing nature. She fully understands children's need to build strong attachments to help them to feel secure. Children settle extremely quickly. The childminder provides cosy tents and pods for children to snuggle in, to help those who feel shy when they are new to the setting. Children experience a very strong sense of belonging as the childminder involves them in daily tasks, such as tidying their toys to music and giving treats to her puppy.

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The provision is outstanding

Children learn to recognise and express their feelings as the childminder introduces them to a 'very shy' toy monkey. As the monkey appears to grow in confidence, the childminder helps children to develop their own personal, social and emotional skills. Children build close and loving bonds with the childminder and her assistant and this encourages children to flourish.

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The provision is outstanding

Babies and young children are very happy in the setting. They exhibit extremely high levels of curiosity. They are eager to know what is inside the monkey's suitcase and excitedly explore the colourful resources provided to help them to learn. Children's behaviour is exemplary. They play exceptionally well together considering their young age.

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need to do better?

n The childminder builds an exceptionally ambitious and well-planned curriculum, taking account of the learning and developmental needs of each individual child. Toddlers eagerly gather around the childminder's feet to hear a story that she reads with exceptional enthusiasm and energy. The childminder encourages children to interact as they listen. She links her stories to recent events and activities the children have enjoyed. This reinforces children's knowledge and understanding. n Children develop their large-muscle strength and coordination superbly as they run around pretending to be dragons, re-enacting their experience of Chinese New Year. They learn of similarities between dragons and dinosaurs and delight in roaring very loudly. The childminder and her assistant extend children's vocabulary by introducing new words, such as 'trembling' and 'din'. n The childminder supports children who are new to the setting to gain their

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need to do better?

physical and emotional skills extremely rapidly. Babies quickly learn to walk unaided and feed themselves from a spoon. The childminder promotes children's independence from a very young age. Small children take their plates to the kitchen and wipe down the table after lunch. n Children spend a long time developing their concentration and fine motor skills

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need to do better?

14 February 2024 as they explore a tray of coloured rice and utensils. They fill and empty containers as they learn about volume and capacity. They find laminated numbers around the setting and learn to identify the number relating to their age. They eagerly show their number to the inspector as they are so proud of their achievement. n The childminder is very experienced and well known in her local area for the support she gives to parents of children with special educational needs and/or disabilities. She uses sign language with the children. This helps children when they are first learning to speak. The childminder ensures that all children, including those who speak English as an additional language, hear a rich and broad range of spoken language and they learn to speak and communicate early. n The childminder meticulously observes the children in her care and reports her assessments to parents daily. She provides detailed termly reports and quickly

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need to do better?

identifies if there are any gaps in children's learning. The childminder builds her curriculum on children's interests and what they need to learn next. For example, she makes roadways in the shape of numbers for those children who enjoy playing with cars. n Children relish their activities in the childminder's garden. They have regular outings in the fresh air, including winter excursions to the beach. They learn how to protect their environment and help to collect rubbish on their journeys to keep the countryside tidy. The childminder teaches children to manage their own personal hygiene. They wash their hands eagerly and sit still at the table for a healthy lunch from a very young age. n Parents are highly delighted with the care and education their children receive. They say that 'she is amazing' and gives their children 'enriching experiences'. The childminder supports parents extremely well to continue their children's

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need to do better?

learning at home. She links closely with other settings that children attend to ensure their learning is consistent. The childminder is enthusiastic about her work and is highly ambitious. She ensures that her knowledge is continually updated and advances her own professional skills with regular training.

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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 EY456766 Local authority Thurrock Inspection number 10316829 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 12 Date of previous inspection 14 May 2018

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2013 and lives in Grays, Essex. She operates all year round from 7.30am to 5pm from Monday to Friday, except for bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder holds a relevant qualification at level 6. 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 her evaluation of the setting. n The childminder discussed her intentions for children's learning and how she implements her early years curriculum. n The inspector observed the quality of teaching during activities and assessed the impact this has on children's learning. n Children interacted with the inspector during the inspection. n The inspector read parents' questionnaires and testimonials and took account of their views. n The inspector viewed relevant documentation including the childminder's paediatric first-aid certificate, qualifications and training records and suitability documentation.

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Inspection activities

14 February 2024 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

14 February 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

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