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 Not applicable

p.1

The provision is good

The childminder has a broad experience working with early years children and has a secure understanding of how children learn. She provides children with a variety of high-quality resources, both indoors and outdoors. The childminder delivers an ambitious curriculum that supports what children already know and builds on what they need to learn next. She follows their interests and is skilful in her interactions with them as they play. The provision of a 'choice board' also helps children initiate their own activities independently. Children make good progress and are sufficiently challenged and supported.

p.2

The provision is good

The childminder is committed to getting to know the children and their family before they attend and therefore, young children are happy and confident in the home and settle quickly. Children have established close, trusting bonds with the nurturing and attentive childminder. Children demonstrate they feel safe and secure in her care. They are confident speakers and ask lots of questions. Even young children show they are confident and willing to engage visitors to the home in their games. The childminder teaches children the skills that they need for successful future learning. There is a strong focus on children's emotional development. They understand the childminders high expectations and children play well together and children's behaviour is good.

p.2

need to do better?

n The childminder is fully aware of the importance of continuous professional development and has completed many courses since registration. She is committed to improving her knowledge through training opportunities and demonstrates a passion to support children with special educational needs and/or disabilities. The childminder evaluates the service she provides and seeks parents' views to improve outcomes for all children. n The childminder has established effective partnerships with parents. Parents contribute to their children's learning through the provision of an app and keep the childminder updated on their children's development and interests. They comment how 'accommodating and amazing' the childminder has been to ensure children settle quickly. They say they have complete trust in the childminder. Parents write that their children engage in a wide variety of sensory activities and make very good progress. They say they feel completely reassured leaving

p.2

need to do better?

their children in the childminder's care. n The quality of teaching is good. Children's mathematical development is thoroughly supported through all their play. For example, they are gently supported as they match and order numbers during interactive stories. The childminder encourages children to widen their vocabulary. They use positional language as they think about 'front' and 'behind' when lining chairs to make a

p.2

need to do better?

11 April 2024 bus during imaginative play. n The childminder encourages children's love of books and provides them with exciting opportunities to develop their imagination as they immerse themselves in interactive stories. They use props and predict what is happening next in familiar stories. The childminder introduces new words to extend their vocabulary, such as 'hibernation', as they discuss the seasons and animal habitats. Children learn about 'reflections' as they discuss rainbows, rain, and sunshine. n Children understand the importance of fresh air and exercise as the childminder encourages outdoor play. They know to dress appropriately for the weather, are keen to 'have a go' and independently dress themselves. Children persevere as they master the skill of climbing the slide. They relish encouragement and praise they receive for their efforts. Children listen with intent as the childminder teaches them how to use the pedals on a bicycle. They giggle and have

p.2

need to do better?

immense fun playing hide and seek, confidently counting to 10 before searching for their friends. n The childminder engages children in meaningful conversation. She has a clear understanding of how children develop their conversation skills and introduces new words to challenge their ability to communicate and their vocabulary. Many opportunities are provided for interactive story time to help children's language skills. However, on some occasions, the childminder does not ask questions to encourage children to think critically and solve problems for themselves. n The childminder understands the importance of preparing children for transition to school. There is a focus on children's well-being and children demonstrate they feel secure and are confident. They show an eagerness to learn and ask lots of questions. However, while the childminder recognises the need to develop relationships with other early years settings children attend, to provide continuity

p.3

need to do better?

in their and development, this is not fully established.

p.3

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

p.3

Safeguarding

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

p.3

should:

n use effective questioning techniques to extend children's language, help them think critically and solve problems independently n establish partnerships with other early years settings children attend, to provide consistent support for their learning and development.

p.3

Setting details

Unique reference number 2657815 Local authority Essex Inspection number 10335383 Type of provision Childminder

p.4

Registers

Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register Day care type Childminder

p.4

Total number of places

Number of children on roll 5 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

p.4

Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2021 and lives in Clacton-on-Sea, Essex. She operates all year round, from 7am to 6pm, Monday to Thursday, except for bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder provides funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children.

p.4

Inspection activities

n This was the first routine inspection the childminder has 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 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 programme. n The inspector spoke to children during the inspection and took account of the views of parents through reading written testimonials. n The childminder provided the inspector with a sample of documentation on request.

p.4

Inspection activities

11 April 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.

p.4

Inspection activities

11 April 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.

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