Childminder in Thurrock

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

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The provision is good

Children are happy and confident in this setting. The childminder creates a warm and nurturing environment where children thrive. Her calm and patient nature supports children to feel content and comfortable. Children receive lots of affection and care, helping them form exceptionally close bonds with the childminder, which fully supports their well-being.

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The provision is good

The childminder provides an inviting and stimulating learning environment which children are eager to explore. Children access a wide range of activities and resources, which are based around their interests and learning needs. For example, children learn about the life cycle of plants as they plant sunflower seeds and explore the marks they make at the writing station with pens and crayons. Children who enjoy role play, access a range of dolls and characters that ignite their imagination as they play.

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The provision is good

Children are extremely well behaved in the setting. The childminder sets clear expectations which help children to understand boundaries and feel secure. Children use polite language, such as 'please' and 'thank you', and forge positive relationships with their peers. Older children take pride in helping younger children to take their coats off, and ensure they are always included in activities. Children show respect to their environment helping to tidy away toys.

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need to do better?

n The childminder offers effective settling-in procedures to support children and parents to transition smoothly from home to the setting. She establishes children's individual learning needs when they first start, and monitors children's progress. The childminder uses assessment effectively to highlight any gaps in learning and takes action to close these gaps. This helps children to make good progress in their learning and development. n The childminder provides an ambitious curriculum with a range of activities that support children to build on their learning and development. For example, children build strength in their fingers as they thread cereal hoops onto spaghetti. However, at times, activities set out do not always support the needs of younger children, which results in them not always being as deeply engaged in their learning. n Reading is given the upmost priority by the childminder. She ensures that books

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need to do better?

are readily available for children with a cosy reading corner, prompting children to choose and explore books. They share regular stories throughout the day. The childminder reads meaningful books with the children to help build on their learning. Children demonstrate good levels of recall as they remember parts of a book about how sunflowers grow. Children have a clear love for books, helping

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need to do better?

22 May 2024 to build on their early literacy skills. n Partnerships with parents are strong. Parents speak highly of the childminder. Daily handovers and messages ensure that parents are kept up to date with their children's learning and development goals. Parents share weekend activities which the childminder uses to create themed activities to extend children's learning. This helps to provide a consistent approach for children's development. n The childminder supports children to develop their independence. Children learn to put their coats on, and how to use tools for a purpose as they use plastic knives to cut up fruit. The childminder helps children to grip the knife correctly and cut through strawberries, which they enjoy for their snack. This helps children to build on the skills they need in preparation for the next stage of their education. n Children benefit from a range of outdoor, community-based learning

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need to do better?

experiences, which help children to build on their understanding of the wider world. Children enjoy trips to the local park and woods where they build on their physical development. In addition to this, regular trips to playgroups help children to build on their communication and social skills as they interact with other children. n The childminder is reflective in her practice, using questionnaires to gather feedback from parents and enhance her provision. She participates in regular training to build on her professional development to ensure the needs of the children are met, and works closely with other childminders to share support, ideas and resources.

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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 adapt activities to fully meet the needs of younger children, to help build even further on their learning and development.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY498517 Local authority Thurrock Inspection number 10335798 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 6 Number of children on roll 7 Date of previous inspection 27 June 2018

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2016 and lives in Grays. She operates Monday to Thursday from 7.30am to 5.30pm, all year round, apart from family holidays. The childminder holds an appropriate qualification at level 3 and 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 setting. n The childminder joined the inspector on a learning walk. She talked to the inspector about the curriculum. n The inspector observed the quality of education being provided, indoors and outdoors. She discussed children's progress with the childminder. n The childminder and inspector carried out a joint observation. n The inspector looked at relevant documentation. This included evidence of the childminders suitability, training record and safeguarding documents. n The inspector took account of written feedback provided by parents.

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Inspection activities

22 May 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

22 May 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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