Childminder 2735090

Overall effectiveness Good

The quality of education Good Behaviour and attitudes Good Personal development Good Leadership and management Good Overall effectiveness at previous inspection Not applicable

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The provision is good

Children flourish in this warm, engaging and child-centred environment, where they thoroughly enjoy their time with the childminder. They are highly engaged and deeply involved in their play and learning. The highly experienced and skilled childminder has designed a thoughtful and ambitious curriculum that supports each child's interests and learning needs, while building on their existing skills and knowledge. Her curriculum is centred around stories, using books as a foundation to provide children with a wide range of rich learning experiences. For example, children read stories, such as 'The Three Billy Goats Gruff' and 'The Three Little Pigs'. They role play and confidently retell the stories using correct story language. They explore information books about the animals featured and visit a farm to see the animals first hand. Through these experiences, children are supported to develop strong communication and literacy skills, foster a love of reading, deepen

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The provision is good

their understanding of the world, and strengthen their knowledge and critical thinking.

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The provision is good

Children build secure and trusting relationships with the childminder. She takes time to understand each child and their family when they join, exchanging information with parents about children's routines and interests. This enables her to stay up to date with any changes and to effectively support children's emotional well-being. Children feel confident, safe and valued, which promotes their emotional resilience and readiness to explore and learn.

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need to do better?

n Children's communication and language development is a key focus. They are regularly engaged in conversation and storytelling by the childminder and enjoy joining in during songs and story sessions. The childminder actively promotes their vocabulary, confidence and listening skills. During a music activity, children attentively watch the childminder and listen to the sounds of the instruments, which helps strengthen their listening and attention skills, while supporting early language development through rhythm and musical exploration. n The childminder plans engaging activities that reflect children's interests and current abilities. Where any developmental gaps are identified, targeted support is provided. Children are happy, confident and fully engaged in their learning experiences with the childminder. They make steady progress and develop a love of learning. n Children are encouraged to be independent in their play. The childminder

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need to do better?

arranges the environment so they can freely choose the toys they want to play with. At snack time, they pour their own water from a small glass jug and use a safety knife to cut their own cucumber and apples. Consequently, they develop practical life skills, hand-eye coordination and confidence in managing tasks by

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need to do better?

11 September 2025 themselves. n The childminder works closely with professionals from other settings that children attend. For example, she regularly gathers information about weekly planning in those settings and incorporates it into her own teaching, ensuring continuity in children's learning. Therefore, children experience consistent support and make steady progress across all the settings they attend. n Children learn the importance of hygiene and healthy living through the routines and activities the childminder provides. She models regular handwashing, provides nutritious home-cooked food and takes them shopping to explore and try new healthy options. These experiences reinforce positive messages about adopting a healthy lifestyle, helping children develop lifelong healthy habits. n Children benefit from a nurturing and responsive approach that promotes confidence, resilience and curiosity. They are encouraged to explore and develop

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need to do better?

their own ideas. However, on occasions, the childminder moves on too fast, suggesting other things that children can do. This does not allow them time to explore their own ideas fully, limiting children's opportunities to deepen their learning, and sustain concentration. n Children generally behave well, supported by the childminder's nurturing approach. This promotes positive values, such as kindness and sharing. When a disagreement arises over a chair, she reminds the children how they resolved this previously, enabling them to choose their chairs calmly. Consequently, children learn to cooperate, solve problems and respect routines. However, on occasions, the childminder does not consistently implement behaviour management techniques. This may cause confusion about boundaries, hinder self-regulation and send mixed messages to other children. n The childminder shows confident and effective leadership. She is dedicated to

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need to do better?

continuous improvement and has established a culture of reflection, professional growth and collaborative working. This enables her to consistently respond to and meet the needs of the 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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should:

n enhance teaching skills even further to balance timely intervention with giving children space to think, explore and investigate independently n embed consistent approaches to behaviour management further to enable children to regulate their behaviour independently.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 2735090 Local authority Essex Inspection number 10407308 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 3 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2023 and lives in Basildon, Essex. She operates from 8am until 6pm, Monday to Friday, term time only.

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Inspection activities

n The childminder and the inspector completed a learning walk together to discuss the childminder's intention for children's learning. n The inspector discussed with the childminder how she will implement the curriculum and support all children to make progress, including how the childminder intends to plan, observe and assess children in her care. n The inspector observed the quality of education being provided and assessed the impact that this was having on children's learning. n The childminder provided the inspector with a sample of key documentation on request.

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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

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/ofsted

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