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

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The provision is good

Children are happy and settled in the childminder's care. They play contentedly alongside each other, well supported by the childminder who engages proficiently with them. Children show a keen interest in books, which the childminder facilitates confidently. The childminder reads to the children in a fun, interesting manner, which captures and sustains the children's interests. The childminder uses children's story books to theme some activities. For example, resources to help children to re-tell a favourite story about pigs are presented in a large floor tray. The childminder uses appropriate language, such as blow, build, high, run and puff to encourage children to re-tell the story.

p.2

The provision is good

Children confidently move around the areas of the childminder's home that are accessible to them. They understand her house rules and behave in a calm way, listening to her instructions and showing kindness to each other. The childminder extends children's learning, for example, through a range of outdoor experiences. They regularly visit country parks, shops, parks, beaches and the library. The childminder encourages professionals to come into her home to deliver focused activities, such as speech and language support. She learns from such specialists and continues the strategies being introduced through her own interactions with the children.

p.2

need to do better?

n The childminder is firmly committed to enhancing and extending her childcare knowledge. She enjoys learning and frequently attends training on a wide range of subjects. The childminder uses her new-found knowledge to provide an interesting and varied curriculum, based around children's interests and needs. n The childminder works with an assistant. She has arrangements in place to support and help her assistant to understand their role. They plan effectively for children's learning, with the assistant focusing on enhancing children's outdoor experiences. n Parents are asked to share their views of the childminder's provision through questionnaires. The feedback is used by the childminder to enhance her provision. The childminder uses a range of methods for sharing information with parents, including through their verbal hand-overs each day, messages and social media platforms. Parental responses to the questionnaire's viewed show

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need to do better?

that parents are very happy with their child's care. n Children's speech and language development is effectively enhanced, as the childminder narrates their play and names objects. She asks pertinent questions and allows children time to think and consider their answers. As a result, even the youngest children are starting to enjoy conversing with the childminder. n Children enjoy playing in the childminder's garden. She recalls their love of water

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need to do better?

1 August 2024 and facilitates this by filling a water tray with fresh water. The children immediately use the containers and scoops to pour and fill the water. n Children show a keen interest in trains and spend a considerable time building the track to run the trains along. The childminder provides floor space for this play. When children decide to transport the track to the windowsill, the childminder recognises this as a natural element of their learning and facilitates it. n The childminder demonstrates secure knowledge of the children in her care. She generally uses the in-depth information she knows about them and their families to plan effectively for both their care and learning needs. However, at times the childminder does not use her knowledge of individual children's interests well enough to capture spontaneous learning. For example, she does not use mathematical language and counting to engage children who show a keen

p.2

need to do better?

interest in mathematics to further enhance this interest. n The childminder has a range of resources which are stored out of sight. This is especially so during the school holidays when there are fewer children and they often go out on trips and outings. The childminder alternates the equipment and resources in accordance with the children's current interests. However, this limits the children's opportunities to make choices over their play and learning.

p.3

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

p.3

Safeguarding

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

p.3

should:

n strengthen the implementation of mathematics to support children to use numbers and counting during their play n review the organisation of the environment and resources to enable children to guide their own play and to extend and enhance their learning.

p.3

Setting details

Unique reference number 2669385 Local authority Essex Inspection number 10344304 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 Not applicable

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2022. She operates all year round from 7am to 6pm, Monday to Thursday, except bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder works with an assistant.

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Inspection activities

n The inspector discussed any continued impact of the pandemic with the childminder and has taken that into account in their evaluation of the childminder. 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

1 August 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

1 August 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

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/ofsted

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