Childminder in Essex

Overall effectiveness Inadequate

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

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The provision is inadequate

The childminder has the overall knowledge and understanding to support children in all areas of their development. However, when she goes above the adult-to-child ratios, the number of children in the setting prevents her from providing the individual support that each child requires. Although, children show signs of being happy and settled with the childminder, the number of children present negatively affects children's safety, education and personal development.

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The provision is inadequate

Despite the weaknesses, the childminder does have a good understanding of the children in her care. When the childminder is available to interact with the children, she is engaging and supportive. However, not all children benefit from these opportunities because she acts mainly in a supervisory capacity, rather than supporting children's learning and development.

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The provision is inadequate

Children behave well and are taught to be kind to one another during play. They learn to say please and thank you and help to tidy up resources when requested. Children show suitable levels of independence, and they know their routines. Children learn about personal hygiene. For example, they regularly wash their hands and access their own water bottles, so they can keep their bodies hydrated, and enjoy healthy meals.

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need to do better?

n The childminder has not considered how to maintain the safety of children at the setting or ensure their learning needs are met effectively. She cares for more children than the staff-to-child ratio requirement allows. In addition, she has not ensured that all those working with children have had the necessary checks to confirm they are suitable people. This compromises children's welfare and learning. n The childminder does not make risk assessments of the environment effectively. As a result, she does not identify and remove potential hazards to children. For example, on more than one occasion, children attempt to close the double doors in the lounge, which poses a risk of them catching their fingers in the doors. n While the childminder has a good understanding of how to support children to make progress, not all children benefit from the activities on offer in the same way. For example, she attempts to carry out a focused activity with a small

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need to do better?

group of children. However, the childminder does not consider how she can support the other children not taking part in the activity. This is because she is caring for too many children to meet all their learning needs. As a result, these children are not provided with any challenge in their play and younger children spend time wandering around the setting. n The childminder engages some children in conversations. When making

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need to do better?

13 February 2025 Valentine's Day cards, she encourages them to talk about their own families and the special people in their lives. The childminder encourages the children to explore different textures. She praises children for having a go and introduces vocabulary, such as 'rough, shiny' and 'glittery'. In addition, children use small tools, such as glue sticks, to create pictures. n Parents receive daily feedback. The childminder shares information with parents about their children's care. She shares photos of their children in activities via an online app. Parents leave positive feedback through a childcare website. They comment that the childminder is friendly and approachable. She keeps them well informed on updates, upcoming activities and menu changes. n The childminder promotes children's healthy lifestyles. For example, they are offered a range of healthy snacks and meals. Children are reminded to drink

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need to do better?

their water throughout the day. They have regular time outdoors to exercise. This helps enables them to develop their large motor skills. n Children's independence is generally well supported. The childminder arranges her home and resources to ensure that they can make choices about their play and learning. She supports them to put on their coats and shoes before going out to play. This helps children to be ready for this next step in their learning.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

p.3

Safeguarding

There is not an open and positive culture around safeguarding that puts children's interests first.

p.3

Due date

ensure adult-to-child ratios are maintained to meet the individual needs of all children 07/03/2025

p.3

Due date

ensure that all adults included in ratios have the appropriate suitability checks with Ofsted 07/03/2025

p.3

Due date

take action to improve the assessment of risks and ensure that all possible hazards are identified and minimised to keep children safe 07/03/2025

p.3

Due date

13 February 2025 ensure that the individual development needs of all children are consistently met when making any exceptions to the usual adult-to-child ratios 07/03/2025

p.3

Due date

ensure activities meet the learning needs of all children, so that they are appropriately challenged. 07/03/2025

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY482915 Local authority Essex Inspection number 10381909 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 12 Number of children on roll 11 Date of previous inspection 28 August 2019

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2014. She operates on Monday to Friday from 7am to 6pm, all year round, except for bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder works with assistants. She provides government funded early education for all eligible children.

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Inspection activities

n The childminder explained her intentions for the children's development and how she plans and implements her education programme. 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 and assessed the impact this has on children's learning. n The inspector spoke to children and the assistant during the inspection. n Parents provided written feedback. n The childminder provided the inspector with a sample of key documents on request.

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Inspection activities

13 February 2025 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

13 February 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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