Childminder in Thurrock

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 are happy, safe and relaxed at this friendly and welcoming setting. They happily play independently and exhibit good levels of focus and concentration. The childminder implements a balanced curriculum. She plans a wide variety of fun and engaging activities, which motivate and support children to make good progress. For example, she uses props to support her reading of 'The Very Hungry Caterpillar'. Children excitedly look for the different items of food. They learn to solve problems, take turns and explore healthy eating. Children use their language well to share their thoughts and ideas.

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The provision is good

The childminder has clear expectations for children's behaviour. She is a good role model and teaches them how to behave in positive ways from a very young age. She demonstrates sharing, turn taking and how to be kind to others. Children give 'high fives' and cuddle each other when they accomplish small tasks. They develop their independence as they put on their own coats and shoes before going outside. Children learn about the things that contribute to a healthy lifestyle such as exercise, playing in the fresh air and eating a balanced diet.

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need to do better?

n Since the last inspection, the childminder has successfully reflected on the quality of experiences she provides for children. She has attended further training and worked effectively in partnership with the local authority to improve her practice. n The childminder gathers information from parents to find out about each child's interests and needs from the start. She carries out observations to monitor their development. However, she does not always make the most effective use of the information gained from her assessments to identify children's next steps in learning precisely. As a result, not all activities sharply focus on what children need to know and do next to help them make the most progress. n The childminder provides a range of activities to encourage children to play with familiar resources to help strengthen their existing knowledge and skills. However, during some planned activities she does not challenge the most able

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need to do better?

children further to extend their skills fully. Nevertheless, all children make good progress from their starting points. n The childminder supports children's physical development well. Older children enjoy balancing on the sensory floor tiles and playing on the climbing equipment in the garden. Babies' balance and stability is supported as they have plenty of space to move around and explore. Older children develop kindness and respect for others as they help babies. They learn about responsibility, tidying away the resources before getting out more to ensure that there is sufficient space for babies to crawl around the floor.

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need to do better?

4 March 2025 n The childminder encourages children to develop their communication and language skills. For example, she supports children in developing new vocabulary by modelling new language as they play. Children enjoy listening to stories, they demonstrate good speaking and listening skills. They talk with confidence and are eager to find out new information. Children talk about people who are familiar to them, including their family. n Children's early mark-making skills are supported well. The childminder encourages children to experiment with a variety of resources to develop their early writing skills. For example, she helps children to hold pencils correctly. They show good control and coordination, colouring and drawing pictures of caterpillars and butterflies. n Children learn to keep themselves healthy and follow good hygiene routines. They know to wash their hands before sitting down for meals. They also

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need to do better?

demonstrate a good awareness of their personal needs such as knowing when they need the toilet. The childminder ensures children are provided with healthy snacks and meals. In addition, she ensures that they have access to fresh drinking water throughout the day. n The childminder knows how to assist children with special educational needs and/or disabilities. She provides clear communication with parents and other professionals to ensure consistent support is given to all children. n The childminder values the importance of working in partnership with parents. She ensures a regular two-way flow of information sharing and provides good support for parents to continue learning at home. This good partnership working creates a collaborative and consistent approach to children's care and learning.

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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 strengthen the curriculum planning to identify more precisely each child's next steps in learning, so that all activities for children have a clearer focus n continue to build on the good teaching already in place to consistently challenge the most able children even further across all areas of learning.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY103455 Local authority Thurrock Inspection number 10338958 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 15 Date of previous inspection 12 March 2024

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2000 and lives in Grays, Essex. She operates all year round from 7.30am to 5.30pm on Monday to Friday, except for bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder holds an appropriate qualification at level 3. She works with a co-childminder. The childminder provides government funded early years 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 educational 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 co-childminder during the inspection. n Parents shared their views of the setting in writing. n The childminder provided the inspector with a sample of key documents on request.

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Inspection activities

4 March 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

4 March 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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