Childminder in Southend on Sea

Overall effectiveness Good

The quality of education Good Behaviour and attitudes Good Personal development Good Leadership and management Good Overall effectiveness at previous inspection Not applicable

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The provision is good

The attentive childminder ensures children are warmly welcomed into a comfortable, inviting, home-from-home environment. She works very effectively with her co-childminder, and they invest time in getting to know the children and their family before they attend. The childminder offers home visits and uses assessments well. She values information provided by the parents to successfully plan the curriculum. Children experience a wide variety of activities based on their interests and the childminder builds on what they already know and what they need to learn next. Even very young children demonstrate they feel safe and secure, and are confident within the environment. They happily explore the activities provided. Children show interest and an eagerness to investigate a farm- tray activity. They show sustained concentration as they learn the skills of scooping and pouring sensory materials. Children are curious as to how the toy tractor works

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The provision is good

and make the noises of the animals. Children are busy, happy and play well together and their behaviour is very good.

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The provision is good

The nurturing childminder is reassuring and skilful in her interactions with the children. For example, children relish story time. They thoroughly enjoy this time and are encouraged to intact as they predict what is happening in the story. Children's speech and language is supported well. The childminder provides running commentaries and poses open-ended questions to encourage children to think and participate in conversations. She is skilful as she gives children ample time to think and respond. Children delight in the praise and encouragement they receive.

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need to do better?

n The quality of teaching is good. The childminder has a very secure knowledge and understanding of how children learn and how to promote an ambitious and challenging curriculum. All children receive a wide variety of exciting learning opportunities both within the home and through planned outings. They make good progress and are fully supported in what they need to learn next, including the skills they need to be independent learners, and for successful future learning. n The childminder has established effective and trusting, working partnerships with parents. Parents comment on the childminder's calm and consistent approach to the children. They say the childminder is 'amazing' and has exceptionally high standards. Parents comment on the immense support they receive and the excellent communication about their children's learning. They value the home visits and comment how reassured they feel leaving their

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need to do better?

children in the childminder's care. n The childminder is fully aware of the importance of continuous professional

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need to do better?

4 March 2024 development. She is committed to further improving her knowledge through training opportunities. There is a culture of evaluation, and the childminder continually evaluates the service she provides to improve outcomes for the children. The childminder and her co-childminder work well as a team. They are fully aware of how to support one another, and of their individual roles and responsibilities. n Children are spoken to with genuine kindness and respect. Both the childminder and her co-childminder are very attentive to the children's individual needs. They are good role models and even very young children have formed friendships and play well together. They understand the childminder's high expectations and demonstrate good behaviour. Children are fully supported in learning how to regulate their feelings and the language they need to express their emotions. The provision of a quiet, calming space and a selection of sensory resources

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need to do better?

further supports this and provides a safe, comforting space. Children have established trusting bonds with both the childminder and her co-childminder. Children are offered help, cuddles, and reassurance if they feel anxious. n Children's creativity is supported. They have great fun pretending to make dinner when using the role-play resources and take good care of their 'babies'. Children thoroughly enjoy group time and interactive singing, choosing props from the song bag. They make marks outdoors using chunky chalks and brushes in water to make patterns. Artwork is displayed within the home, which gives children a sense of belonging. However, there are few opportunities for children to express even higher levels of creativity and imagination using resources that have no fixed purpose. n The childminder ensures that the curriculum is planned and securely embedded across all areas of learning and provides an inclusive environment. Children are

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need to do better?

very familiar with the routines. However, on occasions, the routines have an impact on children's play, concentration, and learning. For example, when children are engrossed in their play, they are interrupted for snack or group activities.

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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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should:

n extend opportunities for children to develop even higher levels of imagination, exploration and creativity n improve the daily routines, such as snack time, to ensure that they do not

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should:

4 March 2024 interrupt children's chosen play and learning.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 2650406 Local authority Southend-on-Sea Inspection number 10332900 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 18 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2021 and lives in Southend on Sea, Essex. The childminder operates all year round from 7.30am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, except for bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder works with another registered childminder. The childminder 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 setting has 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 setting. n The childminder showed the inspector the premises and discussed how they ensure it is safe and suitable. 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 childminder explained her intentions for the children's development and how she plans and implements the educational programmes. n The inspector spoke to children during the inspection and took account of the views of parents through conversation and by reading written testimonials. n The childminder provided the inspector with a sample of documentation on request.

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Inspection activities

4 March 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

4 March 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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