Childminder 110631

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 thoroughly enjoy their time with the nurturing and attentive childminder. She has a deep rooted knowledge and understanding of how children learn and provides them with rich and inspiring learning environments, indoors and outdoors. Children show that they feel very safe and secure in the childminder's home. They have developed close and trusting bonds with her and make exceptional progress and flourish in her care. Children confidently and excitedly explore activities provided. The childminder designs and delivers an ambitious curriculum around children's interests and successfully builds on what they already know. She is skilful in supporting children to lead their own play and sensitively guides their play to challenge and extend their ideas. For example, they construct models using large cardboard boxes and decide they need decorating. The childminder subtly suggests options and children select paints and independently prepare the resources they

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The provision is outstanding

need. Children develop excellent dexterity and solve problems quickly through their perseverance and patience.

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The provision is outstanding

The childminder's commitment and dedication to families help to provide children with an exceptionally secure start in life. As a result of the high-quality care provided, children feel valued, listened to and respected. This helps them become confident and motivated learners. The childminder is a calm and reassuring role model. She has high expectations for the children, who understand the routines and expectations. A well-planned and individual settling-in period, plus visiting the children in their own home before they start, means children leave parents with ease and the transition from home to the childminder is seamless. Children are happy to take risks and try out their own ideas when exploring activities. They flourish in this extremely calm and supportive environment. As a result, they are exceptionally well prepared for future learning and behaviour is exemplary.

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need to do better?

n The quality of teaching is outstanding. The childminder provides consistent high- quality teaching, which children benefit greatly from. The childminder meticulously plans a curriculum to guarantee that children build on what they already know and can do. As a result, children are highly active, confident learners, who are self-assured and who develop excellent thinking skills to support their future learning at school. n The childminder has a secure understanding of how to support children's speech and language and weaves new vocabulary into their conversations. Children develop excellent listening and attention skills and follow instructions well. The childminder is careful in how she poses questions and has a superb understanding of how to encourage children's thinking, allowing them time to process new information and respond.

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need to do better?

16 July 2025 n Parents speak highly of the reliable and professional childminder. They say she has had a profoundly positive impact on their whole family. Parents comment that she fosters strong and trusting relationships with them and that they have no hesitation leaving their children in her safe and nurturing care. n Children delight in the sounds they hear in the environment. They are confident speakers and ask many questions as they have a thirst to learn new things. For example, they discuss birds they see and feed in the garden. Children talk about peacocks and are keen to know more. They independently suggest they select reference books on birds, as they know they can find further information using books. They decide using binoculars will help to see the pictures more clearly. n The childminder demonstrates a passion and commitment to enhance her continuous professional development. She consistently reflects on ways of

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need to do better?

improving her knowledge and understanding to further support children in her care. She identifies, researches and attends a variety of training opportunities to improve her knowledge. Additionally, the childminder has developed close partnerships with other local childminders and regularly shares information and good practice. n Children's behave exceptionally well. The childminder is an excellent role model for them. She gently and consistently reminds children about behavioural expectations. As a result, children are extremely familiar with rules and routines. When children become emotional and frustrated with a chosen activity, the childminder has an exceptionally calm and reassuring approach. She offers cuddles and a soothing explanation that means children quickly regulate their feelings and continue with a positive attitude, knowing it is okay to sometimes feel sad. n Children's understanding of mathematics is developing very well. They

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need to do better?

proficiently count in order, discuss size, weight and compare as they play. Children learn about cause and effect. For example, they decide to melt ice and know to put large blocks of ice in warm water to retrieve the frozen toys. Children make predictions as they discuss how long this might take and decide using a hammer would be quicker. Children are skilfully supervised by the childminder as they engage in risky play. They comment, 'It could be a disaster', as they chip away at the ice. They persevere and show resilience as they successfully achieve their goal.

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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 110631 Local authority Essex Inspection number 10398417 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 7 Date of previous inspection 21 October 2019

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 1998 and lives in Colchester, Essex. She operates during school term time, Monday to Thursday, from 7.30am until 5.30pm. The childminder provides government funded early education for all eligible children.

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Inspection activities

n The childminder showed the inspector the premises and discussed how they ensure that 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 childminder explained her intentions for the children's development and how she plans and implements the educational programme. n The inspector spoke to children during the inspection and took account of the views of parents through reading written testimonials. n The inspector looked at a sample of the childminder's documents, this included evidence about suitability and training.

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Inspection activities

16 July 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

16 July 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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