Childminder in Southend on Sea

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 extremely confident, excited and motivated learners. The childminder implements a highly nurturing, child-centred approach that significantly supports the holistic development of all children in her care. Her ethos focuses on building on what children already know and can do, which promotes their remarkable levels of confidence, independence and self-esteem. Learning is tailored and highly relevant to each child, so they make exceptional progress. The childminder places huge emphasis on empathy and risky play. Children are exceptionally kind, respectful and considerate of others. For example, older children include babies in their play safely and demonstrate how to use equipment through peer support. Through activities that involve safe risk-taking, such as climbing and using special child-safe knives independently, children develop resilience, problem-solving abilities and the skills needed to assess and manage risk themselves. These

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The provision is outstanding

experiences ensure that children build incredible levels of confidence and help them become more aware of their surroundings and the needs of others.

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The provision is outstanding

Cultural awareness is highly prominent in the setting. The childminder introduces French words of the week and encourages children to learn about different cultures and ways of life, such as the Jewish community, which promotes tremendous respect, tolerance and curiosity. Regular outings to the forest, beach and local areas give children valuable life experiences and support remarkable levels of understanding of the wider world. Children are fiercely independent. They are provided with real-life resources, such as knives and chopping boards, to prepare fruit for snack. As a result, children manage their own care successfully and are incredibly self-reliant.

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need to do better?

n Literacy is embedded seamlessly into daily practice. The childminder supports children's early communication by encouraging an interest in books, asking open-ended questions and linking stories to personal experiences. For example, by reading a book about school and relating it to children's own upcoming transitions, she fosters both comprehension and emotional preparation for change. n The childminder demonstrates an exceptional commitment to safeguarding, health, safety and emotional well-being in her provision. Comfort bags containing sensory toys to support children who feel anxious or upset are used regularly. This thoughtful provision encourages self-regulation and thoroughly supports children to feel calm and validated in the setting. n Partnerships with parents are highly effective. Parents describe the childminder as being a 'pivotal part' of their child's early years, crediting her with creating a

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need to do better?

safe, nurturing and loving environment that has enabled children to flourish.

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need to do better?

24 June 2025 Families consistently describe the childminder as 'warm, caring and deeply invested' in the well-being and development of every child. n The childminder expresses enormous pride in the achievements of both current and former children, such as those now competing in county-level sports. This illustrates the lasting influence of early experiences provided in her setting. These children attribute their early passions to the childminder's provision, and many remain in contact into their teenage years. This illustrates exceptional, positive bonds and the enduring value of her work, the result of which enhances children's skills, passions and interests to extraordinary levels. n The implementation of a parent support group by the childminder is a highly effective strategy for fostering communication, collaboration and peer support among families. It demonstrates the childminder's proactive approach to

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need to do better?

extending learning beyond the setting and encouraging continuity of care and education in the home. Her initiatives, such as Christmas parties and sports days, further promote community cohesion, resulting in children and families building important relationships that enhance social development and shared learning thoroughly. n The childminder's approach to embedding children's interests, such as the love of hunting for bugs and minibeasts, into learning experiences is especially effective. This keeps children engaged, curious and motivated to learn. By weaving areas such as numeracy and language into a context children enjoy, there is a striking level of deep learning and information retention taking place. As a result, the learning is enjoyable and enhances children's involvement. n Peer learning is thoughtfully encouraged and implemented. The childminder asks children to model speech for others, which promotes responsibility in the older

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need to do better?

child and provides a relatable learning model for the younger one. This peer support strengthens relationships, enhances learning through observation and creates an exceptional collaborative and nurturing atmosphere. Children's inclusive behaviour, such as adapting play for others and explaining tasks, reflects distinctly secure social development and empathy. n The indoor and outdoor environments are rich with choice and learning potential. Activities such as sensory mats, busy boards, kitchen role play and musical instruments promote autonomy, exploration and imaginative play. Children move confidently between activities, indicating high levels of well-being and engagement. The calm, respectful atmosphere results in incredible levels of focus and cooperation from children.

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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 EY423040 Local authority Southend-on-Sea Inspection number 10388552 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 17 July 2019

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2011 and lives in Westcliff-on-Sea, Essex. The childminder operates from Monday to Friday, all year round. Sessions are from 7.30am to 7pm. The childminder holds an early years qualification at level 3. She provides funded early education for all eligible children.

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Inspection activities

n The childminder showed the inspector the premises and discussed how she ensures that they are safe and suitable. n The childminder and the inspector discussed how the childminder organises her early years provision, including the aims and rationale for her early years foundation stage curriculum. n The children spoke to the inspector about what they enjoy doing while with the childminder. n The childminder spoke to the inspector about the children's learning and development, with a particular focus on communication and language. n The inspector observed the quality of education being provided, indoors and outdoors, and assessed the impact that this is having on the children's learning. n The inspector observed the interactions between the childminder and the children. n The childminder and the inspector carried out a joint observation during snack time. n The inspector took into consideration parents' written views.

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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

24 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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