Bird Glynis

Overall effectiveness Requires improvement

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

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The provision requires improvement

Children are settled and happy at this setting. Although the childminder is experienced, she has allowed her first-aid certificate to lapse. However, the childminder demonstrates a suitable knowledge of how to administer first-aid treatment when required. The childminder is supportive and kind and children have formed warm and positive relationships with her. She is intuitive to their needs and is readily available to offer guidance and reassurance.

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The provision requires improvement

The childminder has high expectations of children. She prompts them to use their manners. For example, when children have slight disagreements, the childminder manages this with kindness and empathy. As a result, children behave well and follow the setting's routines and boundaries with confidence. Furthermore, the childminder often offers children praise and recognition for their efforts and this helps them develop skills needed to become positive learners.

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The provision requires improvement

The nurturing childminder provides a stimulating environment, focusing on children's needs and interests. She offers children the opportunity to make their own choices of what they would like to explore next, helping to develop their curiosity and independence. For example, when children show a particular interest in farm animals, the childminder organises visits and outings to the local farm. There, children are fascinated to watch the animals and safely pet them. At the setting, the childminder provides toys and resources for children to consolidate the animals' names and the noises they made. This helps develop children's understanding of the world.

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need to do better?

n The childminder is nurturing. She has good understanding of children's learning and development. She completes assessments and next steps in children's learning that she shares with the parents. The childminder often organises outings and trips to local parks, woods and farms to enrich children's experiences and social interactions. n The childminder provides opportunities for children to develop their communication and language skills. She engages older children in discussions about their holiday to support their recall skills. On occasions, the childminder does not consider how to enhance and extend activities so that younger children are consistently engaged and challenged in their learning and acquire new vocabulary. n To build on children's fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination, the childminder encourages children to engage in 'cooking' activities. As children mix ingredients, the childminder prompts older children to observe how the texture

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need to do better?

of the mixture changes and it becomes thicker. Younger children help stir the

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need to do better?

13 August 2025 mixture to strengthen their hand muscles. Children then concentrate intently to neatly spread the icing over the biscuits, then use small sprinkles to decorate them with. This also supports children's creativity. n To support the development of children's problem-solving skills, the childminder provides engaging resources such as large floor puzzles. She offers gentle guidance, encouraging children to observe the shapes and patterns of the pieces and experiment with fitting them together. Children show high levels of perseverance and focus as they work to complete the puzzle, and they express pride in their achievements. This activity not only fosters a sense of accomplishment but also strengthens children's thinking and cognitive development. n Children enjoy books. They listen with curiosity and intent when the nurturing childminder reads them a story about various animals. Younger children

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need to do better?

excitedly open the book's flaps to uncover animals and repeat words such as 'snake' and 'monkey'. The childminder encourages them to make animal noises, and children laugh and giggle as they pretend to be a lion. This also helps develop children's early reading skills. n The childminder implements effective risk assessments and upholds the policies and procedures, which contribute to a safe and secure environment for children. However, she has not maintained a current paediatric first-aid qualification. Despite this oversight, she is able to demonstrate a suitable knowledge of how to manage accidents. n The childminder recognises the value of continuous professional development. However, she has not considered accessing further training to keep her knowledge and skills up to date so that children consistently benefit from rich experiences. n Partnerships with parents are positive. They value the warm and inviting setting

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need to do better?

and praise the impact she has had on their children's learning and development.

p.3

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

p.3

Safeguarding

There is an open and positive culture around safeguarding that puts children's interests first.

p.3

Due date

maintain a current paediatric first-aid certificate. 30/09/2025

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should:

n strengthen planning and delivery of activities to promote children's sustained and active engagement to deepen and extend their learning experiences n continue to engage in regular and purposeful professional development to enhance practice and improve outcomes for children.

p.4

Setting details

Unique reference number 201836 Local authority Essex Inspection number 10394774 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 11 Date of previous inspection 25 September 2019

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 1994 and lives in Billericay, Essex. She operates all year round from 7.30am to 5.30pm on Monday, and 7.30am to 5pm on Tuesday to Thursday, except for bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder provides funded early education for all eligible children.

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Inspection activities

n The childminder showed the inspector around the setting. They discussed how the curriculum is organised and what they want children to learn. n The inspector observed the quality of teaching and education and assessed the impact this has on children's learning. n Parents provided written feedback and the inspector took account of their views. n Children spoke with the inspector about the activities they were doing. n The inspector held a meeting with the childminder. She looked at relevant documentation and reviewed evidence of suitability to work with children.

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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

13 August 2025 13 August 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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