Childminder EY357564

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

Children are happy at this setting. They are welcomed by the caring childminder with a smile and cuddle, which helps them settle very quickly. The childminder creates a stimulating environment while carefully capturing children's interests, abilities and needs. She offers them the opportunity to make their own choices of what they would like to explore next, to build on their curiosity and sense of exploration. For example, when children choose to explore the musical instruments, the nurturing childminder demonstrates how to use them. Children follow the instructions with enthusiasm and quickly use the sticks to tap on the drum.

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The provision is good

The childminder is very supportive and has formed very fond relationships with the children. She is attentive and intuitive to their needs and promptly offers them guidance and reassurance. For example, the childminder manages children's slight frustrations with calmness and empathy. This helps children follow the setting's routines and boundaries with confidence and ease.

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The provision is good

The childminder consistently recognises and celebrates children's achievements, offering meaningful praise for their efforts. During mealtimes, she provides gentle guidance on the effective use of cutlery, promoting self-help skills. Children respond with pride when their successes are affirmed, fostering a sense of accomplishment. This helps children gain skills needed to become resilient and independent learners.

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need to do better?

n The childminder is experienced and demonstrates a good understanding of children's learning and development. She implements effective systems to observe, record, and monitor children's progress, including regular assessments and clearly identified next steps in children's learning. These are consistently shared with parents to support continuity of learning. The childminder actively seeks parental feedback on children's achievements at home, using this information to plan learning opportunities within her setting. In addition, she collaborates effectively with parents and other professionals to ensure that children who require more help are suitably supported to make progress in their learning. n The childminder provides a nurturing environment. She continuously engages children in conversations about what they are doing to promote effective communication and language skills. However, on occasions, the childminder does

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need to do better?

not consider how to enhance and extend activities so that children are consistently and actively engaged and challenged in their learning. n Children enjoy singing to their favourite nursery rhymes. They skilfully tap the sticks together to the rhythm of the music, smiling with content. When the childminder demonstrates and prompts children to hide the sticks behind their

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need to do better?

11 September 2025 back or raise them up high, they confidently complete these actions. This further develops children's hand-to-eye coordination and gross motor skills. n The childminder helps children embrace an active and healthy lifestyle. In the garden, children have an amazing time 'catching' bubbles using large nets, to build on their balance and coordination. They persevere when challenges occur and giggle with excitement when they succeed. This also helps develop children's emotional resilience. n To support children's early reading and literacy development, the childminder encourages exploration of a wide range of books. As children engage with a favourite story featuring colourful monkeys, the caring childminder points to pictures, naming characters, and prompting children to follow textured lines with their fingers. She also encourages them to turn pages independently, which promotes fine motor skill development.

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need to do better?

n The childminder is reflective and committed to continuous professional development. She recognises the importance of keeping her skills and knowledge up to date and regularly engages in training opportunities. She has established strong professional relationships with other local childminders, fostering collaboration and the exchange of best practice. To enrich children's learning experiences and promote social development, she organises regular outings, including a monthly visit to a local care home. n Partnerships with parents are effective and positive. Parents appreciate the childminder's warm and welcoming approach. They feel that the childminder always goes 'above and beyond' to support them and their children, particularly during the settling-in period. Parents feel included in their children's learning and value the detailed and informative feedback they receive each day.

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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 review the planning of activities to ensure children consistently deepen their knowledge, skills, and understanding across all areas of development.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY357564 Local authority Essex Inspection number 10398529 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 5 Date of previous inspection 28 October 2019

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2007 and lives in Wickford, Essex. She operates all year round from 7am to 6pm, Monday 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 Some parents spoke with the inspector and 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

11 September 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

11 September 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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