Childminder in Thurrock

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 are extremely happy at this awe-inspiring setting. As soon as they arrive, they welcome the childminder with smiles and cuddles and are ready to embrace their day with joy. The rich and well-sequenced curriculum provides children with great opportunities and experiences. For example, they learn about road safety when out on trips and enjoy bus and train rides to go to museums, the library and local parks.

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The provision is outstanding

The nurturing childminder creates a captivating and stimulating environment and prompts children to make their own choices about what they would like to access next. Children are confident, and they explore their learning provision with ease and enthusiasm. They quickly develop highly positive attitudes to learning.

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The provision is outstanding

The childminder has very high expectations of children and establishes clear and effective routines and boundaries. Children rise to the challenge and behave exceptionally well. With support from the childminder, they develop skills that are needed to become independent and resilient learners. For example, children are very enthusiastic to help the childminder prepare their snacks. They use knives with great control to spread butter on their toast and feel extremely proud. The warm and caring childminder never ceases to offer praise and recognition for their efforts and achievements, which makes children feel valued and appreciated during their time at this setting.

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need to do better?

n The childminder is very experienced. She is reflective and offers a very diverse and inclusive practice. The childminder has a very clear understanding about what she wants children to achieve and has secure knowledge of their needs and interests. She carefully uses this information to plan inspirational activities to stimulate children's curiosity, sense of exploration and passion for learning. Children who speak English as an additional language are incredibly well supported, and they make remarkable progress in their learning. n Children benefit from a language-rich environment. Highly effective knowledge and assessment mean that all children make the best possible progress in their communication and language development. For example, the childminder ensures that every activity is supported by key words. Children quickly learn the meaning of 'icy', 'shell', 'wriggly' and 'volcano' as they engage in meaningful

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need to do better?

games and activities. n The experienced childminder provides fantastic opportunities for children to become expert mathematicians. For example, children enjoy completing puzzles, carefully concentrating to slot the pieces correctly, while counting to 10 and recognising numerals. The childminder then enables children to enhance their

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need to do better?

21 January 2025 numeracy skills and start counting to 20. This also helps develop children's critical thinking and problem-solving skills to very high levels. n The childminder is very creative and inspirational and is attentive and intuitive to children's needs and interests. For example, she encourages them to use play dough and cutting tools to mould it into small pieces to create cupcakes. She provides a wide selection of resources, such as sequins, feathers and 'diamonds', for children to decorate them with. Children concentrate well and are determined to create something unique, picking the small sequins in a pincer grip to further develop their fine motor skills and dexterity. When children place feathers on their cupcakes, which makes them look like volcanos, the childminder sparks a conversation about this to ensure that the new concept is securely embedded. This also promotes children's communication and language to high standards.

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need to do better?

n Children have a superb understanding of healthy lifestyles and being active. In the garden, they run around with confidence, displaying high levels of energy and enthusiasm. The childminder encourages them to explore nature and look for bugs. When they find a worm, children are fascinated to observe its features and hold it gently on their hand, giggling with joy when it wriggles around. To make this more fun and exciting, the childminder prompts the children to loudly sing a song about a wriggly worm. This also supports children's understanding of the world and sense of discovery and exploration. n The childminder is very focused and ambitious, with a very clear vision for her setting. She closely monitors children's progress and completes next steps in their learning, which she shares with the parents. The childminder ensures that all parents have a very clear understanding of their children's assessments and

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need to do better?

involves them in their children's learning to provide continuity of care and education. Her passion for early education radiates through her commitment to ensuring that all children have the best start in life. n Parents comment that they are delighted with the care and education the childminder offers their children. They express gratitude for all the support and flexibility, and they praise the fun and exciting activities and learning opportunities.

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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 2694486 Local authority Thurrock Inspection number 10367724 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 Not applicable

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2022. She lives in South Ockenden. The childminder operates her service all year round, from 8am to 5.30pm, Monday to Friday, except for bank and family holidays. The childminder holds a relevant level 3 early years qualification. She provides funded early education for all eligible children.

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Inspection activities

n The childminder showed the inspector around the setting. They discussed how the curriculum is organised and what they want children to learn. n The inspector observed the quality of teaching and education and assessed the impact this has on children's learning. n Parents provided written feedback and the inspector took account of their views. n Children spoke with the inspector about the activities they were doing. n The inspector looked at relevant documentation and reviewed evidence of suitability to work with children.

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Inspection activities

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

21 January 2025 21 January 2025 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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