3 days ago
'Outstanding' Tiptree childminder helps children 'flourish and thrive' says report
A CHILDMINDER says it was an incredible moment to receive the highest grade possible from a government watchdog.
Melissa Ford, 38, of Tiptree, runs Mel's Childminding, which has been rated overall outstanding in an Ofsted report published this month.
The inspection took place on July 8 and saw the quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, personal development, and leadership and management categories all rating outstanding.
Its last inspection was six years ago in 2019 when it was previously rated good.
In the latest report, Ofsted inspector Daniella Adams said: 'Children flourish and thrive in the childminder's care.
Mel's Childminding - the garden area (Image: Mel's Childminding) 'They form the most loving of bonds with her and each other.
'The childminder fosters children's individual personalities, she shows them high levels of respect and is an excellent role model for them to copy.'
Youngsters at Mel's Childminding develop 'high levels of listening and attention skills'.
They 'thoroughly enjoy' Mrs Ford's reading as she 'brings stories to life by creating different voices for the characters with sound effects and props'.
She also adds mathematics into everyday activities, where children learn simple adding and subtracting when playing.
Mel's Childminding - another outside play area (Image: Mel's Childminding) Mel's Childminding 'designs and implements an ambitious and forward-thinking curriculum' for the children she looks after which are aged between zero and eight years old.
The childminder also supports the children's mental health and emotional wellbeing by giving them a 'safe place to express their emotions and learn to understand how they feel'.
A sense of independence is also encouraged, and children have an 'excellent understanding of the world around them' thanks to the 'extensive range of activities'.
Children dig up vegetables, learn what they need to grow them, learn to care for animals and investigate insects in the onsite garden.
Mrs Ford has been a childminder for eight years and previously worked as a private nanny.
Mel's Childminding - youngsters exploring under the supervision of Mel's Childminding (Image: Mel's Childminding)
Happy - childminder Melissa Ford (Image: Mel's Childminding) She said: 'People often perceive childminders as glorified babysitters yet we follow the same curriculum as any nursery and preschool, running our own business and often working long hours.
'I have a real passion for the great outdoors, encouraging children to learn through play and in the natural world around them.
'Being awarded outstanding in my inspection was an incredible moment for myself and my career and confirmed to me that the setting I provide for the children in my care doesn't need to be complicated, it is simple and of the highest quality.'
