Mitchell, Karen

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 26 August 2015 1 October 2009

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This inspection: Outstanding 1

Previous inspection: Outstanding 1 How well the early years provision meets the needs of the range of children who attend Outstanding 1

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This inspection: Outstanding 1

The contribution of the early years provision to the well-being of children Outstanding 1

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This inspection: Outstanding 1

The effectiveness of the leadership and management of the early years provision Outstanding 1

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This inspection: Outstanding 1

The setting meets legal requirements for early years settings

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This provision is outstanding

 The childminder has an excellent understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage. Children make outstanding progress because assessment is rigorous and individual learning is sharply focused. The childminder uses information she observes and which she gathers from parents, to provide a superb range of exciting activities.  The childminder has a robust understanding of how to protect and safeguard children. She attends regular training and maintains highly effective policies and procedures that underpin exemplary practice. As a result, children are extremely safe in this provision.  Especially strong partnerships with parents and other early years providers mean that the childminder knows and meets individual needs extremely well. The childminder works in close partnership with the local schools and teaches children important life skills which prepare them exceptionally well for school.  The childminder is highly skilled and sensitive in helping children to form secure

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This provision is outstanding

emotional attachments. Children are happy and content in the welcoming home. This is because the childminder has a thorough knowledge of each child. As a result, children quickly build confidence and secure attachments. In turn, this motivates, stimulates and accelerates children's active learning skills.  The childminder effectively monitors each child's development. She has an excellent understanding of how children learn and identifies any gaps in their learning and development. This means every child receives the individual support they need to help them to flourish including children with additional needs.

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What the setting needs to do to improve further

To further improve the quality of the early years provision the provider should:

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What the setting needs to do to improve further

 extend opportunities for children to increase their understanding of the passing of time.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector observed children at play indoors and outside.  The inspector carried out a joint observation with the childminder.  The inspector sampled a wide range of paperwork including risk assessments, policies, the self-evaluation document, children's learning journals and suitability documents.  The inspector gathered the views of parents through questionnaires, letters of referral and contributions made in children's files.  The inspector discussed the provision with the childminder at appropriate times during the inspection.

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who attend. This is outstanding

Children have regular access to highly stimulating experiences, many of which are in the outdoor environment. The childminder fully uses her surroundings to capture children's interest and curiosity in the world around them. Her detailed planning and consideration of expected learning outcomes means that children learn while playing and exploring. For example, outside they filled containers with water and poured this through tubes on a water wall. The children learnt about cause and effect while using good hand-eye coordination. They learn about difference and diversity through excellent teaching; this helps them to understand the wider world. During activities, the childminder effectively encourages their independent learning by making suggestions or prompting them to think critically. Children have excellent opportunities to develop their literacy skills. They explore a wide range of books and enjoy listening to stories. They link sounds to letters and have

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who attend. This is outstanding

many different opportunities to practise their early writing skills. Children enjoy their daily routine and communication about their day is excellent. However, the childminder does not take all opportunities to extend children's understanding of what happens next and the passing of time, such as in the structure for the day.

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outstanding

The childminder meets children's care needs extremely well, which supports their emotional and physical well-being. The childminder teaches children carefully about the importance of a healthy lifestyle. Children enjoyed preparing and selecting their snacks, which developed their understanding of healthy diets. Stimulating outside experiences provide children with a wealth of exciting physical learning opportunities. Visits to parks, places of interest and community groups enhance their physical and social skills. These broaden children's experiences, enable them to explore their surroundings and promote their physical well-being. Children's behaviour is exemplary. They play cooperatively and, as a result, learn to understand the feelings of others and learn to share.

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provision is outstanding

The childminder constantly evaluates her practice and is fully aware of her strengths as well as areas that she could improve. She engages parents in the process by sending out questionnaires and discussions. She reflects on her own practice as well as the service she provides for parents and children. Furthermore, she constantly seeks to drive forward improvement and attends training that will enhance her practice. For instance, training for mathematical development has resulted in some excellent new activities, which have helped sustain the exceptionally high quality of the provision.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY242289 Local authority Bath & NE Somerset Inspection number 826471 Type of provision Childminder Registration category Childminder Age range of children 0 - 8 Total number of places 6 Number of children on roll 5

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Name of provider

Date of previous inspection 1 October 2009

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Telephone number

The childminder registered in 2003. She lives in Peasedown-St-John near Bath. The childminder is accredited to receive government funding for children aged two, three and four years. She cares for children all year round and has a relevant qualification at level 3.

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Telephone number

This inspection was carried out by Ofsted 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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Telephone number

procedures set out in the guidance ‘Complaints procedure: raising concerns and making complaints about Ofsted’, which is available from Ofsted’s website: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ofsted. If you would like Ofsted to send you a copy of the guidance, please telephone 0300 123 4234, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk. 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 Support Service (Cafcass), schools, colleges, initial teacher training, work-based learning and skills training, 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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Telephone number

If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 4234, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk. You may copy all or parts of this document for non-commercial educational purposes, as long as you give details of the source and date of publication and do not alter the information in any way. To receive regular email alerts about new publications, including survey reports and school inspection reports, please visit our website and go to ‘Subscribe’.

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Telephone number

T: 0300 123 4234 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ofsted

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