Childminder in Essex

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

The childminder places an emphasis on the importance of harmonious relationships and teaches children to be respectful, kind and caring towards others. As a result, children are extremely kind and help each other to complete tasks and share resources. Older children proudly show how they can support younger peers with tasks they find challenging, carefully demonstrating and guiding their peers to complete the task.

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The provision is outstanding

The childminder and her assistants are highly responsive to children's play. They wait for the right moment to expertly extend children's learning, making suggestions and asking questions to develop their thinking. For example, they encourage children to work out how to care for the snail that they found in the garden. The childminder and her assistants ask children questions to develop their thinking skills as they find ways to build a suitable environment for the snail. Children use technology to research what snails like to eat and work together to find these items in the garden. Children excitedly talk about facts they have learned about snails. They compare and contrast this to a past experience where they helped to raise a duck.

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The provision is outstanding

The childminder helps children to develop a love of reading. Children listen intently to well-read stories and are highly engaged in reciting the story. They all celebrate when younger children recite parts of the story for the first time and children smile in delight at their achievement.

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need to do better?

n Parents speak extremely highly of the childminder and her assistants. They state communication is effective and they receive regular updates about what their children learn during their time with the childminder. All parents say they would highly recommend the setting to others. They explain how the childminder goes above and beyond to provide children with a broad and rich set of activities and experiences. For example, she puts on a Christmas play and they celebrate events linked to the children's home life. n The childminder has implemented a highly effective key-person system with her assistants. They work together to develop an excellent knowledge of each child and how to support all children to make fantastic progress. The childminder and her assistants are highly responsive to the children's individual needs and work hard to find ways to support all areas of their development. They involve children in the planning of the day, giving children options of what they would

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need to do better?

like to play with. This gives children excellent opportunities to lead their own play and learning. n The childminder carefully plans outings, helping children to learn about their

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need to do better?

27 May 2025 local environment. Children enjoy a wide variety of opportunities to visit the local community or attend local groups in the library, expanding their social interactions and knowledge of the world around them. n The childminder demonstrates an exceptional drive to provide the highest quality practice. She ensures that her and her assistants receive focused and highly effective professional development. She makes excellent use of any new knowledge gained from research or training and this consistently translates into improvements in the teaching of the curriculum. For example, the knowledge gained in a training about the importance of communication and language has been used to create an extremely language-rich environment for the children. n The childminder has a clear intent to provide a loving, nurturing environment for all children and adults. Assistants consistently report high levels of support for

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need to do better?

their well-being. Children are supported to recognise and learn to regulate their emotions. This is carefully planned by the childminder, and children recognise when they need time to self-regulate. Children know where to access resources to do this. For example, special boxes that contain personal items help them to be calm when they may feel overwhelmed or upset. n Children are highly independent in managing their personal care needs from a young age. They recognise when they need to wipe their nose. They find a tissue and wipe their nose before placing the used tissue in the bin. They then go and wash their hands. Children independently find their own belongings and put their shoes and coats on to go to the garden. They demonstrate perseverance when putting their shoes on, showing skill to do up the fastenings. The childminder expertly supports younger children to develop these skills.

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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 2708849 Local authority Essex Inspection number 10388292 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 18 Number of children on roll 18 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2023 and lives in Halstead. She cares for children Monday to Friday, all year round. The childminder operates between 7am till 6pm. She works with assistants. The childminder provides government funded early education for all eligible children.

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Inspection activities

n The childminder and the inspector discussed how the childminder organises their early years provision, including the aims and rationale for their early years curriculum. n Children spoke to the inspector about what they enjoy doing while with the childminder. n The childminder showed the inspector the premises and discussed how they ensure it is safe and suitable. n The inspector observed the quality of education being provided, indoors and outdoors, and assessed the impact that this was having on children's learning. n Parents shared their views of the setting with the inspector, verbally and in written format. n The childminder provided the inspector with a sample of key documentation on request.

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Inspection activities

27 May 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

27 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

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/ofsted

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