Childminder in Herefordshire

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 thoroughly enjoy the time they spend in the childminder's care. They are happy and well settled. Children enjoy spending time outdoors, caring for the chickens, collecting eggs and watching tractors pass by. The childminder gets to know children very well and uses her knowledge of their individual needs to plan appropriate and challenging activities. This ensures that all children, including those in receipt of additional funding, make good progress in their learning and are well prepared for their eventual move to school. The childminder frequently praises and encourages children, which helps promote their self-esteem. Children behave well. They learn to share, use good manners and develop kind and positive attitudes towards others. Children are motivated in their learning, readily joining in with the activities on offer. They concentrate and persevere with tasks. Children develop good problem-solving skills. For example, when they struggle to carry several

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The provision is good

conkers to the sandpit, they realise that using the toy wheelbarrow would be a more effective way to transport them. Children enjoy creating imaginary scenarios. They pretend to drive their vehicles to the petrol station and enjoy making 'soup' using sand, water and conkers. The childminder provides a safe environment for children. She supervises them well while allowing them to learn new skills and take managed risks, such as using an apple peeler to prepare their fruit for snack time.

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need to do better?

n The childminder has a good understanding of how young children learn. She gathers important information from parents about what children are already able to do when children first start. She builds on this information with her own observations and uses this to plan effectively for their next steps in learning. n Children form strong bonds with the childminder. They show through their behaviour that they feel safe in her care. They readily involve the childminder in their play. All children show high levels of independence and confidence; they talk to visitors about what they are playing with and learn to manage routine tasks for themselves. n The childminder has forged close links with the local Steiner Academy where some children attend. She shares information with them and this has an influence on her own practice. However, the childminder does not share information with some other settings attended by children, to fully complement

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need to do better?

children's care and learning experiences. n The childminder promotes children's good health. She ensures children follow good hygiene routines, reminding children to wash their hands after using the potty and after playing outside. She provides children with a range of healthy meals and snacks. n The qualified and experienced childminder is passionate about providing the best opportunities for all children. She shares information and updates with other

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need to do better?

10 September 2019 local childminders. However, she has not established how she can further enhance her professional development and raise the quality of her teaching practice even higher. n The childminder monitors children's progress well and shares this information with parents. She uses her assessments to help identify any gaps in children's learning. n The childminder promotes children's communication and language skills well. She encourages children to join in with familiar stories, engages them in meaningful conversations throughout the day and introduces new words as they play. This helps to develop children's vocabulary. n Partnerships with parents are good. The childminder works closely with parents from the very beginning. She provides them with regular updates and encourages them to continue with their children's learning at home. Parents are pleased with the care provided by the childminder. They express how happy

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need to do better?

their children are attending and appreciate the attentive support provided by the childminder. n Children's personal, social and emotional development are given good consideration. The childminder provides gradual settling-in sessions to match the needs of individual children and their family. This helps support children well as they move from home to the childminder's setting. n Children learn about the natural environment. They enjoy tending to the vegetable patch, harvesting courgettes, beans and cucumbers. The childminder ensures children understand the importance of protecting themselves against the harmful rays of the sun. Children confidently explain to the visitor why they need to wear a sun hat when playing outside.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The childminder attends training to update her safeguarding knowledge and is aware of the possible signs of abuse and neglect. She is confident with the procedure to follow should she have concerns about children's welfare. The childminder understands what poses a risk to children and takes appropriate steps to minimise any dangers within the home. She is aware of wider safeguarding issues, such as possible risks from extremism.

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should:

n establish stronger partnerships with all early years settings attended by children to ensure children's care and learning experiences are fully complemented n focus professional development more precisely on raising the quality of teaching to an exceptional level.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY305859 Local authority Herefordshire Inspection number 10059690 Type of provision Childminder

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Registers

Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register Day care type Childminder Age range of children 2 to 9 Total number of places 6 Number of children on roll 11 Date of previous inspection 29 June 2015

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2005 and lives near Ross-on-Wye. She operates all year round from 7.30am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, except for family holidays. The childminder holds an early years qualification at level 3. She follows the ethos of Steiner and has close links with a local Steiner school. The childminder provides funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children.

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Inspection activities

n The inspector observed the quality of teaching during activities and assessed the impact this has on children's learning. n The inspector completed a joint evaluation of an activity with the childminder. n The inspector held a number of discussions with the childminder and children. n The inspector looked at relevant documentation and evidence of the suitability of persons living in the premises.

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Inspection activities

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

10 September 2019 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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