Thorn, Hilary Jane

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 7 January 2016 31 July 2009

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This inspection: Outstanding 1

Effectiveness of the leadership and management Outstanding 1

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This inspection: Outstanding 1

Quality of teaching, learning and assessment Outstanding 1

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This inspection: Outstanding 1

Personal development, behaviour and welfare Outstanding 1

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This provision is outstanding

 Children thrive and make rapid progress in this high quality provision. The childminder is meticulous in monitoring and checking children's progress as well as reflecting on the quality and impact of her teaching and that of her assistants.  The childminder uses robust monitoring systems to precisely plan for children's next steps and close any emerging gaps in their development swiftly.  The childminder's self-evaluation is exemplary. She reflects regularly on her practice and uses a variety of highly effective strategies to gather the views of parents and children.  Partnerships with parents and other settings children attend are robust. The childminder regularly seeks parents' views about their child's interests, abilities and needs to help her plan exceptionally well.  The childminder gives high priority to following a consistent programme of professional development. For example, she has completed a childcare qualification at level 3 and

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This provision is outstanding

has recently completed her local authority Quality Improvement Award. She applies what she learns from training comprehensively to strengthen outcomes for children.  Children behave extremely well. They are kind, eager to help and establish strong friendships with each other

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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

 continue to extend the already outstanding range of play equipment so that older childrenwho learnbest outside continue to make rapid progress.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector toured the premises and observed children playing.  The inspector undertook a joint observation with the childminder and discussed children's development with her.  The inspector reviewed children's records, a selection of policies, and evidence of the suitability of the childminder and other household members.  The inspector spoke with the childminder, assistants and children at appropriate times throughout the inspection.  The inspector discussed the childminder's strengths and areas for improvement with her, along with considering the written comments from parents.

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management is outstanding

The childminder dedicates her time to providing children and their families with the very best service that meets their individual needs and requirements. Safeguarding is effective. The childminder and her assistants have an excellent knowledge and understanding of how to protect children from harm. They are vigilant about checking children's welfare and clearly know how to act on any concerns about a child in their care. They make robust risk assessments that strongly help to minimise potential risks to children. The childminder is very professional and carries out regular appraisals, supervisions and observations on her assistants. This enables her to monitor robustly all aspects of teaching and her provision. The childminder and her assistants work seamlessly together and provide a very happy, nurturing environment where children thrive.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is outstanding

The childminder is a highly skilled early years educator. She interacts extremely well with the children so that they are enthusiastic and fully motivated to take part in an abundant range of exciting activities. The childminder helps children to make their own discoveries as they explore their surroundings and imaginatively use creative and natural materials. The outside area is equally as exciting for children to learn and play in, although the childminder identifies further improvements. For example, she is keen to add larger scale equipment to challenge older children so they continue to make rapid progress. The childminder skilfully fosters children's communication and language skills, which are developing extremely well. For example, children listen attentively, readily respond to questions and they are becoming expressive and confident speakers. Older children recognise the letters and sounds of their own name and confidently self-register on arrival.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are outstanding

The childminder and her assistants devote their time and attention fully to the children in their care. They gather comprehensive information regarding each individual child's needs and requirements, which they fully know and accomplish. Children form exceptionally secure emotional bonds with the childminder and equally as well with her assistants. They are fully encouraged to be independent and make important health choices. Children have excellent opportunities to continue their learning outdoors. They play energetically in the garden and visit a nearby allotment where they are involved in growing and harvesting vegetables, which they then make into soup.

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Outcomes for children are outstanding

All children, including those in receipt of early education funding, make rapid progress in relation to their starting points. Children are highly motivated and learn a wealth of skills that prepare them extremely well for their next steps in development and school.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY236476 Local authority Surrey Inspection number 826445 Type of provision Childminder Day care type Childminder Registers Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register Age range of children 1 - 4 Total number of places 6 Number of children on roll 12

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Name of provider

Date of previous inspection 31 July 2009

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Telephone number

The childminder registered in 2002 and lives in Guildford, Surrey. The childminder's provision operates from Monday to Friday, for most of the year. The childminder holds a childcare qualification at level 3. She receives funding to provide free early education for children aged two, three and four years. The childminder works with one or more assistants.

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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

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Telephone number

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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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