Symons, Michelle Louise

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 are very happy. They thoroughly enjoy their time with the childminder and her assistants, whose ethos is to ensure all children feel nurtured so that learning takes place naturally. Children's behaviour is exemplary. Staff respond warmly and attentively, helping children to feel safe and secure. The childminder provides a highly inclusive setting. She skilfully teaches children about different festivals around the world. They embrace foods from other countries. For example, children impressively try 'perogies', a special Polish dumpling made with cheese, egg and potatoes. Children competently learn simple Spanish words and celebrate other festivals, such as harvest. Children bring a vegetable from home to make a tasty soup with the childminder. The childminder and her assistants ensure children have a positive attitude to different types of families. They challenge any stereotypical views that may occur. This teaches children to understand and respect that

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The provision is outstanding

everyone is unique. The childminder provides children with exceptional opportunities to learn about different occupations. For instance, the childminder takes children to visit the local vet. They learn how to use a blood pressure machine and how to clean dogs' teeth. They learn the role of an optician. Children try on different glasses and talk about how these can help improve vision.

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need to do better?

n The childminder and her assistants are exceptionally skilled at supporting children's language skills. They talk to children about past and future events. They provide them with different words that have the same meaning, to extend their already excellent vocabulary. Younger children show a keen interest in books and enjoy repeating familiar words. Older children know which letters represent sounds and begin to read simple words. Children make excellent progress in their early reading skills. This helps prepare them for their move to school. n Partnerships with parents are highly effective. The childminder provides parents with innovative ideas to help support their children's learning at home. For instance, children select the correct letters written on plastic milk bottle lids. They cleverly blend them together to make simple words and continue this activity with their parents at home. n Children enjoy engaging in science experiments. They learn about solids and

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need to do better?

liquids and skilfully develop their thinking skills. Children excitedly guess whether a pot of ice near heat, or another pot with salt added, will melt more quickly. n The childminder monitors children's progress closely and plans fun activities for them. She differentiates the activities effectively to meet their individual needs. Younger children carefully use picture cards to help them choose which food 'Santa' and 'Rudolf' would like to eat and add these to their Christmas letters. Older children do the same but impressively write their letters independently.

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need to do better?

4 December 2019 n Opportunities for children to learn about people in the community are highly effective. Children eagerly visit the nearby care home where they socialise happily with the elderly residents. They sing songs and engage in creative activities together. They learn from each other's skills and talents and maximise their development. n The childminder reviews her practice and carries out extensive reading to ensure her professional knowledge is up to date. She shares this information effectively with her assistants to help make continual improvements. She provides valuable supervision for her assistants to enhance their teaching practice and provide additional activities for children. For instance, they have created a new outdoor water play area to support children's early mathematical awareness. Children use a combination of different weights and measures and develop their understanding of 'heavy' and 'light'.

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need to do better?

n The childminder has formed excellent links with local schools and other professionals. Children thoroughly enjoy extra literacy and mathematics sessions from another early years specialist to help them move forward in their learning. n The childminder and her assistants respond highly efficiently to children's individual care needs. They ensure children are always clean, dry and well- nourished throughout the day. They encourage children to be as independent as possible to develop the essential skills needed before they start school. For example, children interact positively with others. They learn to dress themselves confidently using role-play costumes and school uniform. n Children are highly motivated and confident learners. They gain excellent physical and emotional well-being and have frequent opportunities to be outside. Children are keen to plant a wide range of fruit and vegetables, for instance,

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need to do better?

potatoes, rhubarb, tomatoes, cucumber, sweet peas and raspberries. Children thoroughly enjoy picking pears from a tree and taking them to enjoy during a picnic.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The childminder and her assistants have completed child protection training. They have a very thorough understanding of their role to ensure the protection of children's welfare. They know who to contact in the event a child is at risk and they are vigilantly alert to any wider safeguarding issues. The childminder ensures all her assistants sign a declaration to state they continue to be suitable to work with children. She also holds frequent meetings to discuss safe practice and to ensure her assistants' safeguarding knowledge is up to date. The childminder teaches children effectively about how their body is private. She encourages children to talk openly about their feelings using 'emotion' cards and how they can safely disclose any concerns they may have.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY348943 Local authority Plymouth Inspection number 10125627 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 10 Total number of places 24 Number of children on roll 24 Date of previous inspection 1 July 2015

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2007 and lives in in Plympton, Devon. The childminder operates Monday to Thursday from 7.30am until 6pm and Fridays before and after school only, all year round. She occasionally provides overnight care. The childminder receives funding to provide free early years education for two-, three- and four-year-old children. She holds a level 3 qualification in home- based childcare. The childminder works alongside assistants.

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Inspection activities

n The childminder took the inspector on a learning walk and discussed the learning opportunities for children. n The inspector spoke to children and read letters from parents to gain their views of the provision. n A joint observation was carried out by the inspector and childminder and they discussed the quality of teaching. n A range of documentation was looked at, such as safeguarding procedures and evidence of the childminder's and assistants' suitability. n The inspector observed the interactions between the childminder, her assistants and the children.

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Inspection activities

4 December 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

4 December 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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