Childminder in Herefordshire

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

The childminder creates a nurturing and friendly environment. Children move freely around the room and make choices about their play. They have formed strong bonds with the childminder. Children are happy and motivated to learn. Behaviour is very good. The childminder gives children clear, consistent guidance and gentle reminders about her expectations for their behaviour. Children demonstrate good manners and play cooperatively together. The childminder supports children's growing independence during everyday routines. For example, at snack time children safely use small knives to butter and cut their toast. Children display high levels of concentration as they play a matching number game. They count the symbols on the cards and are beginning to recognise numbers and quantity. Young children are focused as they press buttons on toys to make them move and make noise. They use associative sounds as they play with small cars on the road mat.

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The provision is good

Children's physical skills are developing well. Children enjoy lots of fresh air and exercise in the childminder's well-resourced garden. Young children explore sand and water. They carefully fill and empty small containers. Children delight in running around the garden, chasing bubbles with their friends. They eagerly burst the bubbles with their hands. Young children giggle and shout 'pop'.

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need to do better?

n The childminder is knowledgeable and experienced. She knows children well and plans play around their individual interests and learning needs. The childminder regularly monitors children's achievement to ensure that they are making good progress across all areas of their development. n Children are settled, happy and relaxed in the childminder's care. She is considerate and affectionate. The childminder offers flexible settling-in sessions, tailored to meet the needs of all children. Hygiene and care practices are good. The childminder teaches children about healthy lifestyles. She has a healthy eating policy which is shared with parents. n The childminder talks to the children during their play. She provides a wide range of good-quality toys for them to use. However, the childminder does not always provide children with enough play activities to fully support their exploratory skills and develop their curiosity further.

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need to do better?

n Children are developing early literacy skills. They use a selection of pens and chalks to make marks. Children listen attentively to stories and join in with songs and rhymes. To support children's social skills and love of books, the childminder takes them to the library to attend story sessions. As they each have a library membership card, children borrow a book to take home. n The childminder encourages children to persevere if they find tasks difficult. However, at times she offers children too much support, which means they do not always identify their own solutions to overcome challenge. That said,

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need to do better?

7 February 2020 children work well together. They take turns to fix together a puzzle, moving the pieces carefully until they fit. Children clap their hands and praise their friends when they have successfully completed the puzzle. n The childminder has very good relationships with parents. She uses effective methods to keep them informed about their children's progress. The childminder shares ideas, and suggests books to read and songs to sing so children can continue learning at home. She encourages parents to contribute to the online learning records. They add photographs of the activities their children take part in at home. The childminder uses this information to plan future activities at her setting. n Parents speak positively about the care and education their children receive and feel fully included in their children's learning. Written feedback from parents comments on the 'lovely environment' and the wide range of play activities

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need to do better?

provided. They state how lucky they are to have such a wonderful childminder. n The childminder works effectively with other settings that children attend. She regularly shares information with them to enhance children's experiences and maintain continuity in their learning. n The childminder demonstrates a genuine enthusiasm for her work. She reflects on her practice and attends a range of training to ensure her knowledge is up to date. She meets regularly with other childminders to discuss good practice and share ideas.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The childminder has a very good understanding of her responsibility to keep children safe from harm. She completes daily checks on her home to ensure children play in a secure environment. The childminder keeps her safeguarding training up to date. She is fully aware of the wider issues of child protection. This helps her to be able to identify potential risks which children may be subject to, such as extreme views and behaviours. The childminder knows who to contact and what to do if she has any concerns about a child's welfare.

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should:

n provide children with even more play activities to support their exploratory skills and develop their curiosity n strengthen opportunities for children to problem-solve and overcome challenge.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY435988 Local authority Herefordshire Inspection number 10106570 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 0 to 3 Total number of places 6 Number of children on roll 6 Date of previous inspection 26 August 2015

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2011 and lives in Hereford. She operates all year round from 8am to 5.30pm, Monday to Friday, except for bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder has a relevant level 5 qualification. The childminder provides funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children.

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Inspection activities

n The inspector discussed with the childminder the plans for children's learning. She evaluated an activity with the childminder to understand how the early years provision and the curriculum are organised. n The inspector spoke held discussions with childminder throughout the inspection. She observed the quality of teaching during activities and assessed the impact this has on children's learning. n The inspector took account of the views of parents and children spoken to on the day as well as through written documentation.

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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

7 February 2020 7 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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