Childminder in Essex

Overall effectiveness Good

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

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The provision is good

Children are happy and settled in the childminder's warm and welcoming home. They have a good relationship with the childminder and her assistants. Younger children happily cuddle into the childminder and her assistants as they play together. The childminder provides a broad and balanced curriculum based on the children's interests and individual needs. Children access books that the childminder makes available for them. They show concentration and enjoyment as they listen to the childminder and her assistants at story time. This supports their communication and language development.

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The provision is good

Children behave well and are taught to be kind to one another during play. They learn to take turns and share resources. Children learn to say 'please' and 'thank you' and happily follow instructions. They understand expectations and follow boundaries well. Children show good levels of independence. They know their routines and help to tidy up resources when requested. Children learn about personal hygiene. For example, they have conversations about washing hands before eating and explain the importance of getting rid of germs. Children enjoy healthy snacks and readily engage in discussions about the importance of eating nutritious food.

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need to do better?

n The childminder has worked hard since her previous inspection. She has implemented changes to improve the quality of the setting. As a result, she now provides a safe, calm and rich learning environment, with plenty of experiences in which the children readily participate. This means that children acquire the skills, attitudes and abilities to prepare them for the next stage of their development, including school. n The childminder plans a curriculum that builds on what children know and can do. She bases this on the information she obtains from parents before children start and through her ongoing observations and assessments of their interests and abilities. n The childminder employs assistants and, overall, there is effective support to promote children's learning. The childminder and her assistants interact well with children and spend good amounts of time joining in with their play and guiding their learning. However, on occasion, they do not fully engage and

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need to do better?

extend all children's learning, particularly during group activities. n The childminder encourages children to be physically active by providing experiences that are fun and engaging. For example, younger children enjoy splashing their hands in water and older children chase bubbles in the garden. They have lots of fun as they stretch their arms and stomp their feet in order to try and pop the bubbles. This provides children with opportunities to move their

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need to do better?

19 June 2025 bodies in different ways and helps them to develop a love of being active. n The childminder plans a range of activities that meet the individual needs of children. For example, children make fruit kebabs using different sized pieces of fruit, which helps to support the development of their fine motor skills. In addition, the childminder uses this time to talk to the children and encourages them to name the different fruits. However, at times, the childminder asks children questions, then quickly answers them or moves onto another question, rather than giving them the time they need to think and respond. n The childminder introduces mathematical language during children's play. For example, she uses words, such as 'half' and 'whole', when cutting fruit. Children show confidence in mathematical concepts. For example, they successfully count the number of grapes they have threaded to make their kebabs.

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need to do better?

n Parents speak highly about the childminder. They comment on how their children's communication, language skills and confidence have grown. The childminder provides parents with daily updates about their child's time at the setting. Parents are kept well informed about what their children are learning, so they can extend this at home. n The childminder ensures that her home is safe and secure before children arrive. She completes daily risk assessment checks to ensure that preventative measures are in place to minimise risks to children. n The childminder ensures that all mandatory qualifications, such as paediatric first aid, for herself and any assistants she works with are up to date. The childminder is keen to progress her own knowledge and intends to maintain a regular programme of professional development for herself and any assistants she works with.

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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 give children more time to respond to questions and communicate their thoughts to further enhance their learning experiences n review the planning and teaching of group activities to ensure that they consistently support the learning needs of all children.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY482915 Local authority Essex Inspection number 10395178 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 18 Date of previous inspection 13 February 2025

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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 assistants 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

19 June 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

19 June 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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