Wells Joanna

Overall effectiveness Outstanding

The quality of education Outstanding Behaviour and attitudes Outstanding Personal development Outstanding Leadership and management Outstanding Overall effectiveness at previous inspection Outstanding

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The provision is outstanding

Children truly flourish in this well-qualified and knowledgeable childminder's care. Children's safety and well-being is at the heart of everything the childminder does. The quality of the learning experiences and opportunities that children engage in is exceptional. Children are deeply engaged in their learning. This is because the learning environment is so well considered, and the quality of teaching is superb.

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The provision is outstanding

The childminder places a great emphasis on sharing stories with children. The children, therefore, already have a love of reading. They learn a wealth of new and interesting vocabulary, such as the 'thrumming' of the bees, and what the word 'hue' means. The childminder expertly adjusts the level of challenge she provides as she is reading, dependent on the children she is sharing the story with. For example, she asks younger children to tell her about the pictures. For older children, she asks searching questions to find out what they already know and to build on this knowledge. These activities wholly support children's communication and language development.

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The provision is outstanding

The childminder understands that children's well-being is crucial if they are to learn as much as they can. To this end, each child is nurtured and truly loved by the childminder and this gives them the emotional security and self-confidence to absolutely achieve their full potential.

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need to do better?

n The childminder has a deep understanding of children's starting points and the experiences and skills that they arrive in her care with and without. She uses this information to devise an ambitious curriculum and a wonderful array of innovative activities. This ensures children develop an early and eager love of learning that lays a secure foundation for when they start school. n The childminder has created simple, accurate and highly effective systems for observing, planning and assessing children's learning and development. All activities have clear and effectively implemented learning intentions for each child. This ensures that children make as much progress as possible. n The childminder takes every opportunity to enable children to demonstrate what they already know, can do and recall. This means that they consolidate and secure learning rapidly. For example, the childminder gives a young child time to

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need to do better?

think about what she is looking at. She is thrilled to hear the child correctly say, 'Acorn' as this is very recently learned vocabulary, following activities about autumn. n There are such strong and valuable relationships between the childminder and each child, as well as between all of the children. Young children spontaneously ask the childminder if she would like a cuddle and ask the other children the

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need to do better?

14 November 2019 same question. The childminder has high expectations of children's behaviour and conduct. She constantly and meaningfully praises children and calmly reminds them to 'wait one moment' if they interrupt. n The childminder is a wonderful role model for children. She shows children much respect. She asks children before she does anything with them, such as putting them to bed or changing their nappy. Children indicate their consent by moving towards her. n Children show a strong exploratory impulse. They love exploring play dough that smells of pine, and real pieces of cinnamon, ginger and evergreen foliage. They use a typewriter. They enjoy finding letters that are significant to them and moving the arm back when they get to the end of a line. n Children are very articulate, given their young age. They confidently talk about things of interest to them, such as the air ambulance and what to do in the

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need to do better?

event of an emergency. The childminder listens and provides an calm environment where children's contributions are highly valued. n Partnerships with parents and other professionals are excellent. 'Travelling Ted' goes home with children to share in the adventures they have away from the childminder's home. Parents speak very highly of the care the childminder provides. They say they cannot praise the childminder enough and that they have seen their children flourish in her care. n Stringent hygiene routines underpin all of the childminder's care practices. Children thoroughly enjoy a wide range of healthy snacks and meals. n The childminder has comprehensive recruitment and supervision procedures for when she works with a registered assistant. This ensures that they also maintain the excellent quality of care that the childminder herself continues to provide. n The childminder reflects on her practice constantly. She continually improves

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need to do better?

and frequently refreshes her own knowledge. The childminder captures the opinions of parents and children, using innovative methods.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The childminder has a wealth of safeguarding policies and procedures. She has attended many training initiatives to ensure that children's safety is always at the forefront of her mind. She is fully aware of her responsibility to protect children from potential harm. The childminder has a very secure knowledge of the signs and symptoms of abuse and where to refer any concerns she may have.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 149348 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 10127052 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 7 Total number of places 6 Number of children on roll 7 Date of previous inspection 29 October 2014

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2001. She lives in Stevenage. The childminder operates Monday to Thursday from 7.30am to 5.30pm and on Friday from 9am to 1pm, all year round, except for bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder holds early years teacher status. She occasionally works with an assistant who has early years initial teacher training. The childminder provides funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children.

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Inspection activities

n The inspector looked around the childminder's home and discussed how the curriculum is organised. n The inspector observed the quality of teaching during activities indoors 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. She looked at relevant documentation and evidence of the suitability of persons living in the household. n The inspector spoke to children during the inspection. n The inspector took account of the views of parents through written feedback provided.

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Inspection activities

14 November 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

14 November 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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