Thorn, Hilary Jane

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

The childminder and her assistant provide an exceedingly warm and welcoming environment where children demonstrate that they feel incredibly confident and secure. They are highly responsive to children's needs and offer children reassurance and cuddles. Children are very happy and self-assured. The childminder and her assistant have extremely high expectations for children's behaviour, and this is reflected in the way that children behave. They are kind and very polite.

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The provision is outstanding

The childminder offers an excellent curriculum and provides children with an inspiring range of activities. She engages in children's play and is skilled at interacting with them. This is demonstrated as children enthusiastically use her as a patient in their hospital and as a police officer in their traffic-light game. Children are keen learners and focus on activities for long periods of time, demonstrating excellent levels of engagement.

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The provision is outstanding

The childminder helps children make exceptional progress in their speech. She constantly introduces new words. For example, children learn an edible snail is called 'escargot'. Children select books and react with delight as they successfully retell their favourite parts of familiar stories. They tell simple jokes and laugh at their punchlines. They gain an excellent sense of responsibility. For instance, at lunchtime they chat about allergies and know how some children cannot eat particular foods as they may become ill.

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need to do better?

n The childminder has an excellent understanding of how children learn. She uses her ongoing observations to understand children's starting points, interests and learning styles. She incorporates their next steps in learning into her planning. This has a very positive impact on developing children's knowledge and skills across all areas of learning. n The childminder has developed exemplary partnerships with parents, who praise her and her assistant highly for the 'phenomenal' care and attention given to their children. This successful relationship plays an extremely strong part in helping the childminder to meet children's individual needs. n Children behave remarkably well and develop firm friendships with each other. The childminder and her assistant praise children, building on their self-esteem exceptionally well. Children are extremely thoughtful and caring. This is evident when older children praise younger children for sharing the resources.

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need to do better?

n The childminder has a clear vision for her setting. Through very effective self- evaluation, she has maintained the outstanding standards of practice. For instance, since the last inspection she has extended the already excellent range

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need to do better?

5 February 2020 of play equipment so that older children who learn best outside continue to make rapid progress. n There is an array of different resources which help to encourage children's imaginations. This is evident when children play in a pretend hospital and use a 'stethoscope' to hear their heartbeats. They learn that a 'thermometer' measures temperature and that an 'x-ray' is a photograph of the bones in the body. The childminder extends the children's vocabulary extremely well. n The childminder works very well with her assistant and identifies any training or support needs quickly. She builds on her professional development according to the needs of children. For instance, after attending a training course she has a better understanding of how boys learn. This helps all children to achieve at the highest level. n Children enjoy nutritious and healthy home-cooked meals, such as fish pie with

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need to do better?

spinach. They enjoy a variety of healthy snacks such as blueberries, satsumas, apples and wheat snacks. The childminder promotes children's understanding of healthy living very well. n The children develop excellent levels of independence and learn how to tend to their self-care needs from an early age. They clean their hands before food or after toileting and discuss the need to wash away the germs. n The children have wonderful opportunities to explore the wider world. They go on outings to the park, the woods, soft-play areas, the beach and meetings with other childminders. The childminder uses these opportunities to develop the children's excellent social and physical skills. Children are extremely articulate and confident when talking to visitors. n Children learn about disabilities well. For instance, they play with toys in wheelchairs and know some people cannot walk. They learn to respect each

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need to do better?

other and are exceptionally considerate.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

p.3

Safeguarding

The childminder and her assistant have a very good understanding of their responsibilities to keep children safe. They have a secure knowledge of the signs and symptoms that a child may be at risk of abuse. Additionally, they know the procedures to follow and professionals to contact if they have any concerns about wider safeguarding issues. The childminder reviews her policies and procedures regularly to ensure they are kept up to date with any changes. She ensures that both she and her assistant have attended current paediatric first-aid training and that their safeguarding knowledge is routinely refreshed. The childminder checks the premises to minimise potential risks and teaches children what to do in the event of an emergency.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY236476 Local authority Surrey Inspection number 10136357 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 3 Total number of places 12 Number of children on roll 10 Date of previous inspection 7 January 2016

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2002 and lives in Guildford, Surrey. She operates her service on Tuesday to Friday, from 8am to 6pm, for most of the year. The childminder holds a childcare qualification at level 3. She receives funding to provide free early education for children age three years. The childminder works with an assistant.

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Inspection activities

n The inspector held a discussion with the childminder to understand how the early years provision and curriculum are organised. n The childminder and the inspector carried out a joint observation together. n Discussions were held with the childminder, parents and children at appropriate times throughout the inspection. n The inspector looked at a sample of the childminder's documentation, including policies and procedures, and training certificates.

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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

5 February 2020 5 February 2020 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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