Preston, Sarah

Overall effectiveness Outstanding

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

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The provision is outstanding

Children are very happy at this unique setting, and eager to embark on a day filled with exciting and inspirational activities. The kind childminder creates an environment that is dynamic and inviting. She carefully captures children's interests and needs and organises meaningful activities following specific topics of learning. For example, children who have experienced new babies at home practise changing nappies and caring for their baby dolls at the setting. The nurturing childminder guides them and models such activities while engaging them in conversations about what they are doing. As a result, children quickly develop empathy and kindness, which positively contributes to their emotional development.

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The provision is outstanding

The childminder is very affectionate and intuitive. She forms strong and warm relationships with all children. The childminder has very high expectations of children and promptly responds to their needs. She manages behaviour challenges with patience and kindness, gently redirecting their focus to learning opportunities. The childminder also recognises and praises children for their efforts and achievements. As a result, children quickly become positive and resilient learners, behave exceptionally well and display high levels of respect and consideration towards their peers and adults.

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need to do better?

n The childminder is very experienced. She has robust knowledge and understanding of children's learning and development. She has created a rich curriculum that is well designed to ensure that children's previous knowledge is securely consolidated. The childminder has taken effective steps to build on her professional development. This is successfully implemented into practice to positively benefit children's learning. For example, she completed additional training courses on how to deliver mathematical activities to support children to build on their numeracy skills in preparation for school. n The childminder has effective systems in place to monitor and track children's progress. She completes regular observations and assessments of children's progress and plans the next steps in their learning, which she shares with the parents. The childminder actively involves parents in their children's learning,

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need to do better?

and as a result children make rapid and remarkable progress. n The childminder is very warm and supportive. She understands the importance of promoting effective communication and language skills and continuously engages children in meaningful conversations. The childminder is an excellent role model and models language extremely well, offering explanations for new words to ensure these are fully understood and embedded. She encourages younger children to build on their language skills as she explains, 'This is a tomato. A red tomato.' Older children acquire new vocabulary, learning words

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need to do better?

3 March 2025 such as 'moon' and 'sun'. n The childminder offers fantastic opportunities for children to become little explorers and chefs. She encourages them to follow a template to mix relevant ingredients to make pancakes. Younger children 'crack eggs open' to refine their fine motor skills, while older children list the other ingredients required. They all engage in pretend play to mix the ingredients and to then 'flip the pancakes'. Children persevere when challenges occur and are determined to succeed, then smile contentedly when they do so. This supports children's understanding of the world, thinking and problem-solving skills. n The childminder offers children exciting opportunities to stay active and embrace a healthy lifestyle. Indoors, she prompts children to make their own healthy choices of snacks they would like to eat. As children pick blueberries, the childminder encourages them to count them to further develop their

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need to do better?

mathematical skills. In the garden, the childminder inspires children to move around in various ways while avoiding obstacles. Children laugh and giggle with enthusiasm as they gallop, skip and pretend to be cows. This further develops children's gross motor skills, balance and coordination. n The childminder is very reflective and ambitious. She completes regular training to enhance her knowledge and skills and strives to offer all children the best start to their early education. The childminder carefully considers children's background and provides trips, outings and various experiences to enrich their understanding of the world and strengthen their social interactions. She has robust and effective relationships with other childminders in the local area with whom she collaborates and shares ideas. n Partnerships with parents are excellent. They praise her professionalism, flexibility and dedication. Parents appreciate all the extra-curricular activities and

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need to do better?

are grateful for the incredible progress their children have made while at this setting.

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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 EY381419 Local authority Essex Inspection number 10368632 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 9 Date of previous inspection 28 March 2019

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2008. She lives in Brentwood, Essex. The childminder operates from Monday to Thursday, 7.30am to 6pm, all year round, except for bank holidays and family holidays. She holds an early years qualification at level 3. The childminder provides funded early years 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 held a meeting with the childminder. She 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

3 March 2025 3 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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