Adams, Eleanor

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

The exceptionally gentle, nurturing and knowledgeable childminder provides children with a most welcoming environment, both indoors and outdoors. There is a sharp focus on what children can do and what captures their interests. The ambitious and challenging curriculum supports self-initiated play and nurtures children's interests and ideas. Children are keen and eager to investigate and explore activities provided and demonstrate a thirst for learning. For example, they excitedly ask the childminder for more 'interesting and exciting' activities as they finish discovering and comparing what sinks or floats, and why. While the childminder is central to what children learn, her sensitive interactions and observation strongly supports children's independent learning.

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The provision is outstanding

The childminder also works from additional premises to her home. She provides children with an enabling play environment that is bright and spacious, yet warm and cosy. Children make choices as to where they play and flow freely from indoors to outdoors. The large natural garden provides children with many invitations to learn, and children demonstrate a natural curiosity to explore the high-quality activities available to them. Children move with confidence demonstrating their strong understanding of how to keep themselves safe. They have formed secure and trusting bonds with the childminder and have made friendships with others attending. The childminder helps children to understand about sharing and taking turns and there is an exceptionally calm, happy, respectful and reassuring atmosphere. The childminder is an excellent role model and has high expectations for all children. Children's display good manners and their behaviour is exemplary.

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need to do better?

n The childminder has a wealth of experience and knowledge about how to promote outstanding learning opportunities for children. Her commitment to ongoing professional development strengthens her deep-rooted knowledge of how children learn. She has a culture of evaluation, which is securely embedded in all practice, including any training completed. Changes are implemented to practice if outcomes for children can be positively improved further. n The childminder's comprehensive knowledge of how children learn and how to support them through play, means she is highly responsive to children's interests. She carefully observes as children explore in their own way. The childminder is extremely skilful in her subtle interactions with them. She understands the importance of allowing them time to discover for themselves but offers support and conversations that encourage children to problem solve and to think for themselves.

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need to do better?

n The childminder fully understands the importance of establishing positive partnerships with parents. She places great emphasis on maintaining excellent

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need to do better?

14 May 2025 daily communication with them, and provides a variety of ways in which they can contribute to their child's learning, sharing their child's progress and activity ideas with them to continue learning at home. n Parents speak highly of the accommodating childminder. Parents are extremely happy with the service she provides and say that their children thrive, and are perfectly ready for the transition to school. n Children have a strong sense of self. They take responsibility and have the skills they need to be independent and make choices. They competently take care of their personal needs, however the childminder is on hand if support is needed. n The childminder provides a language-rich environment and children demonstrate a wide vocabulary. They enthusiastically and confidently engage visitors in conversations. For example, they explain the fountain in the water play is powered by the sun.

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need to do better?

n Children delight in story time. They choose favourite books and listen intently as the childminder reads. They are encouraged to interact and predict what is happening, they are totally absorbed in the story and use props from the story bag to bring it to life. The childminder recognises the importance of reading to children to help foster their enjoyment of books. This also provides young children with further exposure to language and builds on their growing vocabulary. n The childminder expertly develops children's mathematical skills as they competently count during imaginary games. For example, children set up shop and count out strawberries explaining they need two halves to make a whole one. They learn about capacity and volume through sharply focused adult-led activities. Children compare weight and talk about heavy and light objects. They predict coconuts sink and are fascinated to learn that they float when they

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need to do better?

submerge them in water, and listen intently as the childminder explains why. n The childminder enhances children's experiences further as she provides a variety of rich learning opportunities within the local community. They have fun going on bus rides, visiting the sea life centre and parks.

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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 EY337171 Local authority Essex Inspection number 10388686 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 11 Date of previous inspection 23 July 2019

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2006 and lives in Brentwood, Essex. She operates all year round from 7.30am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, except for bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder holds an appropriate childcare qualification at level 3. She provides government funded early education for all eligible children.

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Inspection activities

n The inspector observed activities indoors and outdoors and assessed the impact these have on children's learning. n The childminder spoke to the inspector about her curriculum and what she wants children to learn. n The inspector looked at written feedback from parents and took account of their views. n The inspector looked at relevant documentation, including the childminder's first aid certificate and records of children's attendance.

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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

14 May 2025 14 May 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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