Childminder in Essex

Overall effectiveness Requires improvement

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

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The provision requires improvement

Leadership and management are inconsistent. Some weaknesses identified at the time of the last inspection have not been fully addressed. For example, some areas of the childminder's home, which are used for creative and adult-led play, remain cluttered. Planned and adult-led activities are not always organised effectively to ensure that children of differing ages and stages of development fully benefit from them. In addition, hygiene arrangements in relation to the family's pet cats are not always effective. As a result, children's health is potentially compromised. Although children generally behave well, the childminder does not always manage younger children's behaviour consistently.

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The provision requires improvement

Despite these weaknesses, children generally enjoy their time with the childminder. They know her home well and make decisions about where they want to play and what they want to do. The children have a good relationship with the childminder and enjoy occasional cuddles from her. The childminder speaks to children in a kind and caring way, helping them to feel settled, assured and confident in her care. Older children understand good manners and say 'please' and 'thank you'. They encourage younger children to do the same when sharing toys.

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need to do better?

n The childminder does not take effective action to ensure that the kitchen surfaces, including the highchair, are hygienic. She does not always clean surfaces after the family's pet cats have walked and slept on them before preparing and serving food. n The childminder does not use a consistent approach to managing younger children's behaviour. She does not always give clear and purposeful directions to help them to understand the rules and what is expected of them. n The childminder has developed her knowledge of how children learn since the last inspection, for example, through some training courses and by working with the local authority. She uses her newly found knowledge to help her to extend children's communication and language skills more effectively. Occasionally, the childminder does not differentiate activities to ensure that all of the children's learning needs are met. As a result, some activities are too basic for older, more-

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need to do better?

able children and others are too advanced for younger children. n Some areas of the childminder's home are organised well, such as the lounge and kitchen. Here, resources are presented within easy and safe reach of children. However, not all spaces are arranged effectively to meet the children's needs. For example, there is limited clear space in the dining room for children to explore and investigate alongside the childminder who is not always able to easily reach them to support their learning. n Children's speech and language is enhanced effectively by the childminder who

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need to do better?

29 May 2024 speaks clearly, asks pertinent questions and provides adequate time for children to consider their responses. She helps children to develop a love of literacy, for example, by providing an exciting selection of books and by reading with them. n Children enjoy playing in the childminder's garden. They excitedly rock back and forth together on a see-saw. They use a range of tools and containers to move sand around in the sand pit and show delight when they succeed in building a sandcastle. The childminder offers praise and encouragement, helping children to develop a strong sense of achievement. The childminder is keen to develop the learning opportunities within her garden and has plans in place to create exciting spaces. n Children are provided with good opportunities to learn about the local community when they go for walks with the childminder. They visit parks and other places of interest. The childminder uses the local library to enhance the

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need to do better?

children's interests in books, puppets and stories. n Older children are creative and enjoy exploring materials, such as glue, scissors and paint. They make suggestions about what they would like to do, such as decorating their snack biscuit with icing. Younger children like to place small world figures in playhouses and enjoy the feeling of sand running through their fingers.

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

Due date

ensure that there are suitable facilities for the hygienic preparation of food for children, especially where pets are being cared for 01/07/2024

p.3

Due date

ensure that children's behaviour is managed in an appropriate way to enable younger children to develop a clear understanding of what is acceptable. 01/07/2024

p.3

should:

29 May 2024 n review the planning of the curriculum to ensure that all children's learning needs and the different rates at which they develop are considered n give careful consideration to the organisation of all areas of the home used for childminding purposes, ensuring that there is sufficient space for children to explore and their learning can be supported effectively.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY400918 Local authority Essex Inspection number 10306276 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 3 Date of previous inspection 13 July 2023

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2009 and lives in Chelmsford, Essex. She operates from Wednesday to Friday, all year round, from 7am to 5.30pm, and other days by arrangement.

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Inspection activities

n The inspector discussed any continued impact of the pandemic with the provider and has taken that into account in their evaluation of the provider n The childminder showed the inspector all areas of their premises used for childminding and discussed how she ensures that they are safe and suitable. n The childminder and the inspector completed a learning discussion together to discuss the childminder's intentions for children's learning. n The inspector observed the interactions between the childminder and the children. n The childminder and the inspector discussed an observation of an activity and how the curriculum has been implemented and the impact that this has had on children's learning. n Parents provided the inspector with written feedback. n The childminder provided the inspector with a sample of key documentation on request.

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Inspection activities

29 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

29 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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