Childminder in East Sussex

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 has a wonderful demeanour and exudes passion for ensuring children reach their full potential, ready for their next stages of learning. Children warm to her kind and very caring nature, enjoying high levels of individual attention and cuddles. There is a wonderfully warm atmosphere throughout the home-from-home environment, and this leads to children demonstrating high levels of self-esteem and happiness. Children are exceptionally content, smiling and laughing in their play. For instance, children spontaneously start singing before lunchtime, stomping their feet and waving their arms to some favourite songs. The childminder is always an active participant, joining in with the children. This further fuels children's excitement and boosts their very positive attitudes towards learning.

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The provision is outstanding

Children are highly confident. They flourish in their development as they are afforded lots of time to explore in this marvellously resourced environment. The childminder uses her in-depth knowledge of children's development to sensitively interact with them. She adapts her practice effortlessly to ensure that all children can access an activity regardless of their age. For example, as the highly motivated children thoroughly enjoy a game of hoopla, the childminder skilfully ascertains which children can already count with ease and those that need additional support. As a result, she quickly adapts her teaching to offer appropriate levels of challenge to drive learning forwards. For instance, she supports older children to make marks on a chalkboard to represent numbers and develop ideas of number correspondence, while younger children count the dots on the hoopla stands to reinforce counting.

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need to do better?

n The childminder's dedication to enhance her already excellent professional development is truly admirable. She has attended a vast range of training to build on her already impressive knowledge and skills. She has recently enrolled in a local initiative to further expand strategies to support children's health and promote active lifestyles. In addition, she has been fundamental in expanding a childminding association for local professionals, which has created a network to disseminate practice and facilitate training opportunities. n The childminder actively evaluates her practice, seeking the views of parents. She implements lots of ideas for the benefit of those children she cares for. For instance, she has plans to develop an allotment space so that children can learn even more about care for living things, as they grow fruit and vegetables. n The childminder impressively facilitates well-thought-out learning experiences,

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need to do better?

based on children's interests and preferred learning style. This inspires and sparks the children's desire to learn. For example, children who learn best

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need to do better?

17 February 2020 through sensory experiences wallow in their enjoyment of squeezing, squashing and rolling dough before posting their creations down tubes. The childminder knows the children remarkably well. When she identifies gaps in children's learning, she takes highly effective action to close these. For example, she introduces activities using a mirror to strengthen the movements of the mouth to give clarity to the way children pronounce sounds. n Children eat a varied range of nutritional, home-cooked food during sociable mealtimes. In addition, they explore new tastes and textures. For example, the childminder uses a trip to a local fishery to encourage them to try seafood cocktail and octopus. n Children are provided with ample opportunities to learn about diversity and inclusion. For instance, children enjoy reading stories about other cultures, learn about festivals and show real interest as they learn to count in French.

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need to do better?

n The childminder uses her expert teaching skills to promote plenty of opportunities for children to successfully develop their communication and language skills. Children ask questions, start conversations and talk about their thoughts and ideas. The childminder confidently uses sign language to emphasise new words, and commentary to support younger children. Older children are supported to extend the breadth of their repertoire as they learn new descriptive words, such as when children excitedly talk about the patterns on the toy dragon's body and curiously feel the textures in a sensory book. n The childminder is highly encouraging of children's skills of independence. Children are very self-sufficient. For example, children work together to set the table before snack time. The childminder is acutely aware of how to make routines enjoyable, promoting self-care. For instance, she uses phrases such as

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need to do better?

'hedgehog fingers' and 'catch the soap' to encourage children to wash their hands properly. n The childminder is exceptionally keen to ensure children experience the awe and wonder of the world. She organises a multitude of wonderful experiences, which satisfies children's thirst for learning. As children show interest in a theme or an event that has happened within the local news, the childminder adapts her planning to deepen children's knowledge. For instance, as children become aware in the local news of a man being washed out to sea, she organises a trip to the lifeboats to learn more about sea rescue and being safe. This superbly supports children's enquires. In addition, children visit local woodlands, zoos and the beach. On these exciting visits, they investigate nature, learn about risk and make new discoveries. n Children behaviour is exemplary. They understand the consistent boundaries set by the childminder and gain a deep respect for each other and the environment.

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need to do better?

The childminder consistently promotes sharing and turn taking.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The childminder has secure knowledge and understanding of the possible signs that may indicate abuse to children. She is fully aware of the local procedures

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Safeguarding

17 February 2020 should she need to report any concerns that she may have about a child's welfare. She has effective knowledge of wider safeguarding issues, such as protecting children from extreme situations. Children's safety is given high priority at all times and the childminder uses strong systems to keep children safe on outings. The childminder's home is kept safe and extremely clean to maintain children's health and safety.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY218221 Local authority East Sussex Inspection number 10136340 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 4 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 2001 and lives in Bexhill, East Sussex. She works from 7.30am until 5.30pm, Monday to Friday. The childminder holds a relevant level 3 early years qualification.

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Inspection activities

n The inspector observed the quality of teaching during indoor activities and assessed the impact this has on children's learning. n Discussions were held with the childminder at appropriate times during the inspection. n The inspector took account of the views of parents provided in writing. n The inspector reviewed relevant statutory documentation, qualifications and policies used by the childminder. n The childminder and inspector discussed how the early years provision is organised and how the childminder plans activities for the children.

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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

17 February 2020 17 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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