Childminder in Staffordshire

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 is a highly dedicated and enthusiastic practitioner who strives for excellence in everything she offers. She provides an extremely nurturing and purposeful environment where every child is valued. Children demonstrate they are very secure. They demonstrate affection towards the childminder and are very happy and settled. Children are very engaged in their activities. They flourish in their learning and are confident. Children's behaviour is impeccable. They learn about kindness and respect for each other through the childminder's excellent role modelling. The childminder regularly praises children. They gain very high levels of confidence and self-esteem.

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The provision is outstanding

The childminder skilfully organises her home to help children to be independent and curious learners and discover how things work. Children are highly enthused as they explore a wide range of vibrant, high-quality resources that promote sensory development and curiosity. For example, they are fascinated as they explore an activity board with a range of switches, locks and sensory experiences. This provides children with excellent opportunities to problem-solve and discover how things work. Children further explore frozen 'dinosaur eggs' that hide plastic animals. Their creativity is further stimulated as they use coloured play dough, rice, pine cones, pebbles and seashells to create imaginary play scenarios. They pretend to feed plastic animals with lentils and rice in a small bowl.

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need to do better?

n Children's development of very good language skills is a key element of the childminder's success. The childminder is skilled at extending children's communication skills through careful questioning. Children's use of language and their communication skills are advanced given their ages and stages of development. Children's early literacy skills are extremely well supported. The childminder reads stories to children, adapting her tone to support their already excellent concentration skills. Children recall complex details that appear in books and confidently ask questions about what they observe and see. n The childminder evaluates her practice exceptionally well. Regular meetings with other providers establish strong links and enable her to have many opportunities to share high-quality practice. The childminder enhances her knowledge through frequent training and her own independent research. She creates her own

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need to do better?

resources to ensure children are continually enthused by the learning opportunities on offer. n The childminder supports children to develop excellent self-care skills so that they can manage their own personal needs. Children learn about the importance of regular routines and how to wash their hands thoroughly to prevent germs from spreading. The childminder teaches children which foods are good for them

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need to do better?

18 February 2020 to make them strong and healthy. Children have frequent opportunities to enjoy exercise and the positive impact this has on their well-being. n The childminder has a thorough understanding of children's individual personal interests. She uses her superb knowledge of how children learn to plan a rewarding and varied curriculum for them. She continually observes and monitors children's development. Her assessments of children's progress are precise and focus sharply on the excellent progress children make. The childminder is very dedicated and works tirelessly with parents, other professionals and providers to implement effective strategies to close any emerging gaps in children's development as swiftly as possible. n The childminder skilfully extends the curriculum with a wide range of highly interesting and purposeful outings to places that interest children. This helps children to gain a deeper knowledge of the wider community. The childminder

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need to do better?

encourages children to be curious and actively observe the world around them. For example, they notice workmen putting up scaffolding at a nearby house and are able to correctly name and describe the tools that are used. Children choose a book that identifies the different features on a house. n The childminder offers children interesting opportunities to use their imagination during creative activities. Children discuss what they see and feel as they explore the inside and outside of a seashell. They experiment with mixing coloured dough together and describe the colours as 'dark' or 'light' blue. The childminder provides children with excellent leadership in their play. For example, she encourages children to jump and move as they join in with different rhymes and songs. n The childminder treats children with great sensitivity and understanding. She is vigilant when a child is getting tired or hungry and skilfully manages the

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need to do better?

situation. The childminder praises children enthusiastically for their efforts and actions, which builds greatly on their confidence and self-esteem.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

Children's safety and well-being are of very high importance to the childminder. She is very knowledgeable and knows in detail the signs and symptoms of the types of abuse. The childminder has an excellent awareness of her responsibilities in relation to safeguarding children and of wider safeguarding issues, including the potential risk to children linked to radicalisation and extremism. She understands her responsibility to contact relevant agencies if she has any concerns. The childminder attends well-chosen training opportunities and carries out her own research in respect of all safeguarding issues. She meticulously carries out regular checks of the premises, including outdoors or off site, making sure children are cared for in an extremely safe and secure environment.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY317562 Local authority Staffordshire Inspection number 10116096 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 9 Total number of places 6 Number of children on roll 9 Date of previous inspection 5 January 2016

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2005 and lives in Lichfield, Staffordshire. She operates all year round from 7.30am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, except bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder holds an appropriate qualification at level 3.

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Inspection activities

n The inspector observed the quality of teaching during activities indoors and assessed the impact this has on children's learning. n The inspector talked to the childminder about the activities she provided during the inspection. n The inspector held a number of discussions with the childminder. She looked at relevant documentation and evidence of the suitability of persons living in the household. n The inspector spoke to children during the inspection. n The inspector took account of the views of parents through the written evidence provided.

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Inspection activities

18 February 2020 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

18 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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