Smith, Rachel

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 form close relationships with the childminder and her co-minder. These strong attachments help support children's emotional well-being. Children and babies settle quickly and are happy to play and learn. They make good progress from their starting points in all areas of the curriculum. Children initiate conversations and communicate confidently. The childminder gives good opportunities for children to share experiences at home and talk about what they have been doing. The caring childminder supports children's awareness of healthy lifestyles successfully. Children eat healthy snacks and learn good table manners and hygiene habits. For example, she teaches them good personal care routines, such as washing their hands after playing outdoors, before they touch food. Children learn how to keep safe. The childminder talks to them about how accidents can happen if they do not look around when they are running and

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The provision is good

jumping in wet and slippery conditions outdoors. Children's behaviour is good. The childminder is a positive role model and uses gentle reminders of expected behaviour. She notices when children are behaving well and praises them, which boosts their self-esteem and reinforces their positive behaviour. The childminder helps children learn to play cooperatively and, overall, develop independence as they explore their surroundings. Children learn the physical, social and communication skills they need for their next stage of learning.

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need to do better?

n The childminder monitors children's development regularly and uses this information well to identify and address any gaps in learning. This helps her to recognise what children can do, and how to support their future learning. Overall, the quality of teaching is good. However, occasionally the childminder misses opportunities to develop children's early literacy skills. n The childminder plans exciting activities that complement the children's interests and needs well. For example, children love to sing and dance and eagerly join in lively action songs. Babies join in with 'The wheels on the bus' song, and bounce with joy in her arms. Older children discuss differences in speed, singing 'fast' and 'slow' and younger children learn new words that widen their vocabulary. During this activity, children shouted out, 'I'm really happy, I love this'. n The childminder encourages children's early mathematical skills well. For

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need to do better?

example, older children enjoy problem solving as they design structures and roads with small-world toys and play equipment, some with buttons they press to make sounds. Children learn how to use colour and number language in the correct way, such as the names of shapes and colours as they paint and draw using brushes and water on a 'magic aqua mat'. n Children are prepared well for the next stage in their learning and eventual move to school. For instance, during everyday play activities, the childminder

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need to do better?

25 October 2019 helps children to learn to listen to adults and each other as they choose songs on a voice-activated digital resource and answer questions about the animals and people in the songs to support and extend their learning. The childminder gives children lots of chances to join in routine tasks, to help develop their confidence and independence skills. For example, children ask to help to prepare meals and to get the activities ready. n The childminder is very welcoming and develops positive relationships with children. This supports their sense of belonging and good behaviour. Older children learn well as they confidently choose what they wish to play with from the 'choosing book'. However, the positioning of resources restricts younger children's play and does not fully develop their independence in choosing what to play with, particularly during periods of transition, such as getting ready for

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need to do better?

snack and waiting to go outside. Children who are less mobile rely on the childminder to put toys out for them. n Partnerships with parents and carers are strong. Feedback through letters indicate that parents are extremely happy with the service the childminder and co-minder provide. They speak highly of the 'home-from-home' environment enjoyed by children and their families. n Since her registration, the childminder continues to develop her practice, such as through training and researching child development issues online. For instance, she has used her new knowledge to develop effective systems of observation, assessment and planning for children's learning. She has plans in the future to undertake a relevant childcare qualification at level 3.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The childminder identifies and manages risks to children effectively. She risk assesses the home and garden to ensure children can play safely in her care. She and her co-minder understand safeguarding matters; they know the procedures to follow to protect children from harm should they have any concerns about a child. For example, they have both completed several child protection training courses and ensure their knowledge is always up to date. They review the policies and procedures and share them with parents so that they are fully aware of their working practices and responsibilities.

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should:

n improve younger children's access to resources to give them more independence in choosing what to play with n strengthen opportunities for children to develop an interest in books and literacy.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY546458 Local authority Gloucestershire Inspection number 10108903 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 1 to 4 Total number of places 6 Number of children on roll 6 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in July 2017. She lives in the Linden area of Gloucester. She offers care from 7.30am to 6pm Monday to Friday all year round, with a week off at Christmas. The childminder receives funding to provide free early education for children aged two, three and four years. She works with a co-childminder. Overnight care can be arranged by prior arrangement.

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Inspection activities

n The inspector observed children engaged in activities and the childminder's interaction with them. She held discussions with her and her co-minder to explain how the provision and curriculum are organised. n The inspector sampled children's observation, planning and assessment information and looked at registration records. n The inspector checked evidence of the childminder's suitability to work with children and sampled some policies and procedures. n The inspector spoke to parents and read parents' testimonials and feedback forms to gather their views about the service and their children's progress.

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Inspection activities

25 October 2019 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

25 October 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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