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 Good

p.1

The provision is good

The childminder provides children with a welcoming, home-from-home, enabling environment in which to learn. She organises the playroom to ensure children can easily access a wide variety of quality toys and can initiate their own play. The qualified and experienced childminder plans an ambitious curriculum designed around children's interests and builds on what they already know. This includes opportunities to play outdoors. Children relish their time in the garden. These opportunities support all areas of learning. For example, children participate in a variety of mark-making activities to develop their early writing skills. They paint with brushes and water, paint creations on easels, and use pencils and clipboards in their play. Regular planned visits to the library, toddler groups and parks further support opportunities for children to broaden their social experiences and develop their emotional and social development.

p.2

The provision is good

Children have made friendships with others attending. They have established trusting, close bonds with the childminder, who has high expectations for all attending. Children demonstrate they feel safe and secure as they confidently engage in the activities provided. The childminder is nurturing, calm and attentive. She offers lots of positive praise and encouragement. She is a good role model, and even the youngest children understand the familiar routines and expectations. Children's behaviour is good.

p.2

need to do better?

n The quality of teaching is good, and children make good progress from their starting points. This is because the childminder has a sound knowledge of child development and how children learn. She takes great care to provide children with an inspiring environment that captures their curiosity and engages them in learning. Children demonstrate they are keen and eager to learn as they confidently explore the environment and ask lots of questions. n Children are learning the importance of how to stay safe and healthy through the robust everyday routines. For example, the childminder provides children with a variety of healthy snacks. They sit and chat as they peel and chop fruits. Children are taught the importance of keeping hydrated in the warm weather. They delight in garden play. They run around in the fresh air while they exercise and are fully supported as their physical skills are challenged. For example,

p.2

need to do better?

young children take safe risks, fully supported by the childminder, as they master the skill of climbing the tall slide or balancing on a bouncer. They demonstrate their excitement with their achievement as they giggle on the way down, or bounce around the garden. n The childminder has established positive, friendly working relationships with parents. Parents comment how their children are greeted with a warm smile

p.2

need to do better?

8 August 2024 from the kind and nurturing childminder. They say the childminder's care exceeds their expectations and that their children have flourished in her care. Parents write that children experience an 'overwhelmingly positive' time and that they are grateful and reassured that their children are in safe hands. n The childminder is aware of the importance of continuous professional development. She maintains her knowledge and ensures she is up to date with current practices through training opportunities, research and webinars. The childminder shares relevant information gained with parents and evaluates training completed. She implements changes to her practice if appropriate. n Children are confident speakers and make themselves and their requests known to the childminder. The childminder has a clear understanding of how children develop their conversation skills and introduces new words to challenge their

p.2

need to do better?

ability to communicate and increase their vocabulary. However, on some occasions, she does not allow children enough time to respond, or encourage them to think critically and problem-solve before giving them a solution. n The childminder ensures children have the skills they need to be independent learners and prepare them for the transition to school. Activities and daily routines support this. For example, children are positively encouraged to take care of personal needs. They learn to dress themselves and put their shoes on ready for outdoor play. The provision of dolls and dolls' clothes provide opportunities to further support learning. Young children concentrate as they persevere and manage poppers and buttons as they dress their dolls. n Overall, children's behaviour is good. They play well together and have made friendships. They understand the childminder's expectations and are kind and respectful to one another. While the childminder is aware of the importance of

p.3

need to do better?

supporting children's emotional development, there are fewer focused opportunities for children to learn about emotions, how to regulate their feelings and learn the vocabulary they need to express themselves.

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 to think critically and solve problems independently n include more focused activities in the curriculum to support children's understanding of emotions and develop their vocabulary further to enable them to express how they feel.

p.3

Setting details

Unique reference number EY536810 Local authority Essex Inspection number 10344389 Type of provision Childminder

p.4

Registers

Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register Day care type Childminder

p.4

inspection

Total number of places 6 Number of children on roll 15 Date of previous inspection 20 September 2018

p.4

Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2016 and lives in Rayleigh, Essex. She operates all year round, from 7am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, 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 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 childminder. n The childminder showed the inspector the premises and discussed how she ensures they are 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 by reading written testimonials.

p.4

Inspection activities

8 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.

p.4

Inspection activities

8 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.

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