Childminder EY541255

Overall effectiveness Good

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

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The provision is good

The provider adopts a child-led approach within her curriculum, which incorporates a strong emphasis on physical play. This supports the development of children's independence and confidence, especially in environments outside of the setting. For instance, she regularly takes the children to the park to enhance their physical skills and build their confidence in unfamiliar surroundings. As a result, children learn to be self-assured and outgoing in a variety of spaces. The childminder puts a strong focus on emotional well-being and sensitively responds to children's individual needs. When children arrive feeling distressed, the childminder comforts them gently and engages them in play, supporting children's emotional regulation and promoting a secure attachment. Her warm, consistent responses help children calm quickly and transition smoothly into the day. This nurturing environment fosters emotional security for all who attend.

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The provision is good

Social interactions among the children are positive and highly encouraged. Babies demonstrate early social engagement by interacting with adults, and older children show kindness and empathy by supporting and cheering on their peers during play. Peer-to-peer interactions such as helping, sharing, and encouragement is widespread due to the childminder creating a respectful and cooperative atmosphere for children. Children demonstrate increasing independence in both personal care and daily routines. They access their water bottles, take themselves to the toilet, wash their hands, and tidy up with confidence. The provider actively promotes self-help skills and responsibility, preparing children for school readiness and everyday life.

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need to do better?

n The childminder provides broad social opportunities for children by meeting with other childminders regularly. These outings include breakfast and visits to the toy library, offering variety and opportunities for children to develop social skills and experience new environments. As a result, children are confident around new people and are familiar with the local community. n The use of language-rich interactions by introducing terms, such as empty, full, floating, and sinking, supports early scientific thinking and vocabulary development. These interactions are appropriate for the children's ages and developmental level, turning play into a valuable learning experience while maintaining a playful and exploratory tone. This sparks children's curiosity on a wide range of concepts and processes. n The learning environment is well resourced, offering a range of materials that support development in an exciting and engaging way, for example shape

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need to do better?

sorters, busy boards, and magnetic fishing games. However, access to books is limited because they are stored out of reach which restricts children's

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need to do better?

30 June 2025 opportunities to explore them independently and for spontaneous engagement. Therefore, children's opportunities to engage in early literacy, choice-making, and imaginative discussions are reduced. n The childminder's focus on helping children learn to self-regulate is delivered in a compassionate and gradual way. She recognises children's reliance on comforters, which reflects a need for security. Rather than removing these abruptly, the provider supports a phased approach, allowing children to have them during transitions and then gently encouraging them to put them away. This means children are less reliant on comforters and learn to manage their own emotions independently. n Parents comment highly on the provider's use of real-world experiences, praising the practical and hands-on learning opportunities she provides. The childminder effectively supports children's understanding of the world through meaningful

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need to do better?

interactions, such as watching assemblies at the local school for hearing impaired. This encourages active learning and development through valuable experiences which promotes curiosity and sparks interest. n The childminder promotes a strong inclusive environment. She celebrates and incorporates different aspects of cultural heritage, including her own and that of the children she cares for. The use of South African cultural items and teaching children words in Afrikaans enriches the setting with multicultural awareness. Therefore, children recognise similarities and differences between others and are respectful of this. n Children's interests, such as insects, are handled sensitively, acknowledging fears in a considerate manner to build confidence over time. However, opportunities to extend learning further are sometimes missed which limits experiences for children to learn more about the natural world.

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need to do better?

n The childminder demonstrates a strong understanding of health, safety, and safeguarding practices within her setting. She effectively promotes sun safety and hydration by encouraging children to wear hats, stay in shaded areas, and drink water during hot weather. This supports children's knowledge of how to keep themselves safe during the warmer months.

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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 consider how to extend children's knowledge and interests further about the wider world

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should:

30 June 2025 n provide more opportunities for children to independently engage in early literacy.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY541255 Local authority Essex Inspection number 10394879 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 12 Date of previous inspection 30 September 2019

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2017 and lives in Colchester, Essex. She operates all year round from 7.30am to 5.30pm, Monday to Friday, except for bank holidays and family holidays agreed in advance. The childminder occasionally works with an assistant.

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Inspection activities

n The childminder showed the inspector the premises and discussed how they ensure they are safe and suitable. n The childminder and the inspector discussed how the childminder organises their early years provision, including the aims and rationale for their early years foundation stage curriculum. n Children spoke to the inspector about what they enjoy doing while with the childminder. 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 The inspector observed the interactions between the childminder and the children. n The childminder provided the inspector with a sample of key documentation on request. n The inspector spoke to several parents during the inspection and took account of their 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

30 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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