Symes, Gail

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 are happy and well settled in the calm and homely setting. They are keen to engage in a wide range of activities and use their imaginations to create their own play. For example, they build a story and a narrative using dinosaur figures and engage in role play in the playhouse outside. The childminder ensures that children are able to follow their own interests and learning preferences, and uses her careful observation to plan activities that suit the individual needs of the children.

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The provision is good

The childminder promotes children's language development effectively. For example, she talks clearly to them, provides a commentary and models good conversational skills to help build on their vocabulary and listening skills. She uses songs and rhymes regularly to extend their skills even further. Children are confident communicators and enjoy sharing their thoughts and experiences with the attentive childminder. Children learn to sing familiar songs from an early age.

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The provision is good

Children behave well and develop good manners. The childminder expects all children to be polite and kind. She supports them to share and take turns through clear and consistent rules, and she gently guides them to resolve conflicts. Children form strong bonds with the childminder and with each other and feel safe and secure.

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need to do better?

n The childminder carefully takes into account children's experiences from home to plan activities which enrich their experiences and prepare them for future learning. For instance, children attend different playgroups and benefit from socialising within a wider group. They develop confidence in new situations. n The childminder is kind, caring and attentive. She quickly notices when children are tired or hungry and responds sensitively to their individual needs. She offers plenty of reassurance and praise throughout the day, which promotes children's emotional well-being effectively. n Partnerships with parents are effective. The childminder keep parents well informed about their children's progress. For instance, she provides daily diaries and shares next steps in learning so that parents can support their children at home. This helps to provide consistency of care and learning for the children. Parents comment that they are very happy with the care that their children

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need to do better?

receive and the bond that their children have with the childminder. n The childminder gives children plenty of opportunities to express themselves through music. Children have lots of fun playing musical instruments as they sing their favourite nursery rhymes and make up their own songs. They confidently play the instruments to the sound of the beat.

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need to do better?

11 December 2019 n Children hear and use mathematical language regularly during play. This promotes their understanding of early mathematical concepts. For instance, while outside, children delight in exploring the sizes of bubbles that they have blown and count steps that lead to the garden. They learn about quantities as they decorate biscuits. However, on occasion, the childminder misses opportunities to extend conversations and activities effectively, to challenge children's thinking and their existing knowledge as fully as possible. n The childminder supports children's literacy well. Children demonstrate an interest in books and enjoy story time. The childminder supports their engagement and interest by commenting on what is happening in the story and encouraging children to join in. Children develop a keen interest in books. n Children become increasingly independent and learn to manage self-care skills,

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need to do better?

supported by the childminder, who builds on their skills effectively. For instance, they know to wash their hands before eating and they confidently tidy toys away. The childminder works closely with parents to progress children's toileting needs sensitively. n The childminder plans a range of outings to local areas of interest to ensure children gain plenty of physical exercise and to help extend their understanding of the world around them. However, on occasions, she misses opportunities to build on children's interest and their knowledge of the natural world. n The childminder speaks with other childminders and reads relevant materials to keep her knowledge and practice up to date. For example, she is currently working on introducing a booklet to gather even more detailed information about children when they first start.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

p.3

Safeguarding

The childminder ensures her practice meets current requirements and keeps her knowledge up to date. She is confident in recognising the signs that may indicate that a child is at risk of harm and has clear procedures to follow to act on any concerns about a child's welfare. The childminder supervises children well throughout the day and maintains a safe environment. She knows how to identify and minimise risks, such as making sure all toy and resources are suitable for the youngest children.

p.3

should:

n strengthen teaching further, to consistently challenge children's thinking and build on their existing knowledge even more n make the most of all opportunities for children to explore and learn about the natural world around them.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 118453 Local authority North Somerset Inspection number 10065070 Type of provision Childminder

p.4

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 6 Number of children on roll 16 Date of previous inspection 14 December 2015

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 1998. She lives in Yatton, North Somerset. The childminder provides care Monday to Friday from 8am to 6pm, all year round. She provides funded free early years education to two-, three- and four-year-olds. The childminder holds a relevant childcare qualification at level 3.

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Inspection activities

n The inspector completed a learning walk with the childminder to discuss the organisation of the provision. n The inspector observed the quality of care and teaching during indoor and outdoor activities. n The childminder and the inspector evaluated the effectiveness of an activity together. n The inspector spoke to the children and took into account written feedback from parents. n The inspector sampled documents that evidence the childminder's qualifications.

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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

11 December 2019 11 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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