Childminder in Essex

Overall effectiveness Outstanding

The quality of education Outstanding Behaviour and attitudes Outstanding Personal development Outstanding Leadership and management Outstanding Overall effectiveness at previous inspection Not applicable

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The provision is outstanding

Children settle extremely quickly and thrive in the childminder's nurturing care. They build exceptionally close bonds with the childminder, and she shows genuine warmth and affection for them. Children's behaviour is exemplary. They show their happiness in her company. They are eager to please her and receive her warm praise. Children experience a very strong sense of belonging as they find their photos and names as they arrive.

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The provision is outstanding

The childminder teaches children how to identify and manage their emotions and fears. She plans activities that develop over time to help banish their worries, such as a fear of spiders. Children show great trust and confidence in the childminder and know they are safe in her care.

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The provision is outstanding

The childminder thoroughly understands how children learn and knows their individual learning styles. She knows when to support their learning and when to wait and observe. This gives children the freedom to explore and experiment and lead their own play. Children learn to think critically and solve problems as they work things out for themselves. For example, they mould dough to represent hedgehogs and insects. Children show great patience and concentration as they discover that pasta shapes can be threaded onto dried spaghetti to represent spines and 'googly' eyes can be the spots on a ladybird.

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need to do better?

n Children make exceptional progress from their starting points. The childminder works extremely closely in partnership with parents. She supports parents in their children's development to ensure that children's learning is consistent and they make rapid progress. Parents comment that the childminder offers 'outstanding care and attention'. They say that she is 'enthusiastic and professional'. n The childminder's curriculum is imaginative and well planned. She prepares activities that provide challenge and take account of children's interests to ensure they remain motivated to learn. She frequently revisits the learning, reminding children of past events that are relevant to the tasks they are engaged in. This helps children to cement and embed their learning. n Children have exceptional opportunities to learn about nature and the world around them. The childminder takes them on walks to local natural

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need to do better?

environments, where they collect materials such as conkers, leaves and fir cones. Children learn how nature changes through the seasons. For example, they learn about autumn and how the plants change and the leaves fall. They learn how creatures survive and prepare for winter. They learn new words, such as 'hibernate'.

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need to do better?

11 September 2024 n The childminder provides excellent opportunities for children to challenge their physical skills. They display confidence as they balance on obstacles in her garden and climb challenging equipment in the park. The childminder gives children confidence by her encouragement, and she ensures that resources are available for children to progress to their next stage. For instance, when young children have mastered tricycles and scooters and request more challenge, the childminder helps them progress to bicycles with two wheels, and they learn to ride these unaided. n Children are exceptionally independent. They quickly learn how to manage their own personal care. They learn about eating healthily and enjoy hearty and nutritious meals. Children develop their fine motor skills and strengthen their hands as they squeeze orange halves to make drinks. n The childminder places an extremely strong focus on communication and

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need to do better?

language development. She talks to children all the time, repeating words and embedding language. There is an abundance of books available for children to browse. Children love to snuggle up on the sofa with the childminder and share stories together. She reads books with extreme enthusiasm. She leaves spaces in her reading, waiting for children to fill in the missing words. They giggle together at the funny antics of the characters in the book, and children are relaxed and happy. n Children learn about mathematical concepts, for example when they cook with the childminder. Children learn about capacity and volume as they pour cereals from one pot into another. They develop their fine motor skills as they pick up the tiny pieces with their finger and thumb. The childminder encourages the children to listen to the different sounds as the cereals fall into containers of a variety of materials, such as wood, metal and glass.

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need to do better?

n The childminder is very experienced in all areas of child development. She ensures that she works extremely closely with key persons in other settings that children attend to provide consistency and continuity in their learning. The childminder reflects on the quality of her practice continually and undertakes regular and varied training courses and qualifications to enhance her already exceptional skills.

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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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Setting details

Unique reference number 2667834 Local authority Essex Inspection number 10354796 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 2 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2022 and lives in Brentwood, Essex. She operates on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, from 8am until 6pm, during school term time only. The childminder holds a childcare qualification at level 4.

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Inspection activities

n The childminder discussed her early years curriculum with the inspector. 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 inspector held a discussion with the childminder about the leadership and management of the setting. n Children communicated with the inspector during the inspection. n The inspector took account of the views of parents by reading written testimonials. n The inspector looked at relevant documentation, including evidence of the childminder's suitability, qualifications and policies.

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Inspection activities

11 September 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

11 September 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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