Childminder in Dorset

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 experienced childminder is passionate about her role. She provides a warm and welcoming home-from-home environment where children feel extremely happy, safe and emotionally secure. She knows the children exceptionally well and takes time to find out exactly what they know and can do when they first start. The childminder plans an immensely rich and varied selection of well-organised activities across the curriculum. Children laugh and jump with excitement as activities are being prepared and introduced. They have highly positive attitudes to learning and remain focused for extended periods as they play. Children benefit from numerous outdoor learning experiences at, for example, country parks, castles and local areas of interest, which helps to develop their knowledge of nature and their physical development superbly.

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The provision is outstanding

The childminder is a positive role model and is extremely consistent in the messages she gives to children. Children have a clear understanding of her high expectations and are caring and very polite. For example, when adults are talking, children say 'excuse me' before asking for a particular toy and 'thank you' afterwards. When younger children become unsettled, older children show great kindness as they ask them to join in with their play.

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need to do better?

n The childminder has extremely secure intentions for how she plans for children's learning. She scrutinises the progress children make to help her plan highly effective learning programmes. The childminder makes exceptional use of children's interests to help extend their learning. For example, young children who are interested in drawing relish using pencils to develop their early mark- making skills further. They confidently explain that they have drawn 'dangerous trees in the storm'. n Children's emotional well-being is at the heart of the childminder's practice. The childminder offers home visits before children start, and children benefit enormously from their 'family posters' displayed on the wall. They feel reassured while looking at photographs of their family and thoroughly enjoy naming them to visitors. n The childminder has developed outstanding partnerships with parents. She keeps parents updated about their children's learning through an extremely wide

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need to do better?

variety of ways such as regular 'learning reviews'. Parents extend their children's learning at home using activity ideas that the childminder provides, helping children achieve the best possible outcomes. n The childminder uses every opportunity to develop children's language and communication skills. She provides a language-rich environment, with abundant opportunities for children to build on their wide vocabulary, especially through

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need to do better?

17 February 2020 rhymes and imaginative play. Children become engrossed in their role play when playing with dolls. They speak clearly and confidently about how they are washing them and taking them to the shops. n The childminder is highly reflective of her practice and seeks the views of parents and children to help plan pertinent improvements. For example, following on from feedback from parents, the childminder shares photographs of the children involved in activities as they are doing them on a secure social media page. n Children enjoy impressive daily opportunities that support their mathematical skills. For example, young children enthusiastically join in with counting songs. They carefully count how many 'sausages' are left when two are taken out of the pan. Children enjoy the challenge of estimating as they try to predict how many sheep they will see outside. They are exceptionally well prepared for the next

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need to do better?

stage in their learning, including school. n The childminder is a dedicated professional. She is committed to extending her knowledge and training, for instance through webinars, to continually improve outcomes for children. The childminder has established highly effective links with other childminders locally. They regularly meet and share new knowledge. This also provides children with the opportunity to meet new people from the wider community and fully supports their social skills. n The childminder skilfully helps children to assess risks and keep themselves safe while learning excellent skills in independence. For example, young children concentrate and persevere as they carefully slice bananas for snack time. They confidently state how they have to be careful using a knife as it 'may cut you'.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The childminder has a secure understanding of her safeguarding responsibilities. She fully understands the signs that may indicate a child is at risk of harm and is confident of the procedures to follow to make timely referrals. The childminder provides a safe environment for children to learn and explore. She has an excellent understanding of the risks posed to children by exposure to extreme activities and views. The childminder practises emergency evacuations with children at her home and at local toddler groups. This means children develop a very good understanding of what they must do should they need to leave an area quickly.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 141129 Local authority Dorset Inspection number 10125447 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 5 Total number of places 6 Number of children on roll 6 Date of previous inspection 5 February 2013

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 1997. She lives in a village near Sturminster Newton in North Dorset. The childminder provides childcare all year round from 7am until 6pm on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday. The childminder holds a relevant qualification at level 3. She receives funding to provide free early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children.

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Inspection activities

n The inspector viewed the areas of the premises used for childminding and held discussions with the childminder. n The inspector observed the childminder's teaching and the impact this had on children's learning. n The inspector looked at documentation, including policies and procedures, and children's records. n The inspector took account of the views of parents from their written feedback. n The inspector talked to the childminder about how she evaluates her practice.

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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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