Childminder in Southend on Sea

Overall effectiveness Good

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

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The provision is good

Children enjoy their time with the childminder. They move confidently around the areas of her home used for childminding, freely accessing the selection of toys and resources available to them. The childminder guides and supports them, encouraging them to join in with some small-group activities, as well as to play independently. Children have a very good relationship with the childminder and assistants. They listen attentively to stories and join in at familiar times. The childminder encourages children to repeat words to help to develop their communication skills.

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The provision is good

Children understand the childminder's routines. They confidently arrange chairs around the table in preparation for snacks and meals and help to clear them away again when this part of the day is finished. The childminder encourages children to develop an understanding of keeping the environment safe. She reminds them of the importance of tidying away the toys and resources when they have finished playing with them. Children are caring towards each other, especially around younger babies. Children enjoy singing songs with the childminder, especially songs linked to religious festivals and celebrations. Songs are also used as a means of praising children for doing something good or kind towards another child.

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need to do better?

n The childminder has recently returned to childminding following a period of maternity leave. Since the last inspection, she has reviewed her behaviour- management procedures. She now has a greater understanding of how to help children to understand the consequences of their actions. The childminder has considered ways to further enhance children's learning. For example, she provides more resources at the children's height to enable them to self-select and guide their own play and learning. The childminder accesses online training. This helps her to keep abreast of current guidance and strategies. n Partnerships with parents are strong. The childminder provides parents with regular newsletters containing photos of the children playing and learning. She gives them clear information about what their child has been doing each week and what she intends to cover in future. Parents who share their views of the

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need to do better?

childminder comment that their children are really happy and always enjoy attending. They say that a key strength is the way in which the childminder is so kind and caring. n Children independently put their coats on to play in the childminder's garden. They confidently negotiate the steps into the garden. Once outside, children enjoy riding in plastic cars, swinging on a small swing and accessing a selection of physical play resources. There are, however, fewer resources outdoors that enable children to develop skills in other areas of learning.

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need to do better?

17 December 2024 n Children are generally busy and active during their day with the childminder and her assistants. They come together at various times when the childminder organises small-group activities, as well as playing independently. At times, the transition between activities, such as at tidy-up time and just before meals, can become loud, and children are less engaged. n Children enjoy a healthy diet with the childminder. They choose from a selection of fresh fruits to eat at snack time. They confidently peel their own bananas, and some children help to pour their own drinks, choosing from milk or water. The childminder provides a home-cooked lunch and encourages children to make healthy choices. Children are familiar with the handwashing arrangements and do this before and after all meals. n Children learn about counting and numbers in their everyday play. The childminder encourages them to count when playing with a range of resources

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need to do better?

and participating in activities. For example, children choose a coloured candle to place in a Menorah in preparation for a special celebration. They count how many candles the Menorah will hold. Children count the days of the week and sing a song linked to the particular day. n Children develop a clear understanding about turn taking and sharing. The childminder introduces sand timers and speaks to the children about how they work, how long it takes for the sand to flow through and how to wait patiently for their turn until the sand is in the bottom half of the vessel.

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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 review the use of the outside play areas to provide better opportunities for children to develop their knowledge and skills across all areas of learning n consider the organisation of transition times so that children remain engaged and interested in learning.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY561516 Local authority Southend-on-Sea Inspection number 10319503 Type of provision Childminder

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Registers

Early Years Register, Compulsory 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 24 October 2023

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2018 and lives in Westcliff-on-Sea, Essex. She operates from 9.30am to 3.30pm, Monday to Thursday, and from 9.30am to 12.30pm on Friday, all year round, except bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder works with assistants.

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Inspection activities

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 the children's learning. n The inspector observed the interactions between the childminder, her assistants and the children. n The childminder and the inspector discussed observations of activities, how the curriculum has been implemented and the impact that this has had on the children's learning. n The childminder provided the inspector with a sample of key documentation on request. n The inspector took account of the views of parents.

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Inspection activities

17 December 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

17 December 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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