Dixon, Karen

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

Children are very happy and settled at this welcoming and inclusive setting. They have built extremely strong bonds with the childminder and are emotionally secure. There is a strong focus on children's personal, social and emotional development. The childminder skilfully encourages children to explore and express their feelings and emotions. For example, she has introduced puppets specifically to help children talk about feelings. The childminder models how to be gentle and kind to others. Children are encouraged to play cooperatively together, to share and take turns.

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The provision is outstanding

Children benefit from thoughtfully considered visits to a local care home where they have established friendships with many of the residents. This helps teach them about the value of friendships, kindness and respect for others. The childminder is highly skilled at meeting all children's needs. She takes the children to a weekly sign-and-singing workshop where children learn to communicate using their hands and body. This helps those with limited communication express their needs fully. Children learn greatly about the wider world through visits within the local community. They learn about nature, insects and animals through trips to parks, nature reserves and a local donkey sanctuary. There is strong support for children's physical and social development through outings to soft-play areas and local toddler groups. Children receive high praise for their achievements. This helps raise their confidence and self-esteem. Children's behaviour is excellent.

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need to do better?

n The childminder knows the children individually very well. The childminder is an excellent role model who encourages children to be respectful to others. She is very calm, patient and kind. n Support for children's learning is remarkable. The highly experienced childminder is very skilled and sensitive in her interactions with children. Children are fully engaged in their play. They are enthusiastic, excited and eager to learn. They enjoy the childminder's company as they sing songs, share stories and play games. n Partnerships with parents are very strong. They are encouraged to share observations about their children's learning. Parents speak extremely highly of the childminder and the service she provides. The childminder works very hard to establish excellent working partnerships with other professionals who provide support for the children in her care. n The childminder's knowledge of child development is excellent. She is extremely

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need to do better?

well trained and has a very thorough understanding of the stages of children's learning. There is excellent support for mathematics. She encourages children to learn concepts such as up and down, over and under as they play peek-a-boo with coloured scarves as part of an activity.

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need to do better?

24 February 2020 n Support for children's developing communication and language skills is inspiring. The childminder introduces more complex words as she patiently explains the equipment in the doctor's kit as part of imaginary play. She uses short, simple sentences, checking for children's understanding. The childminder's use of language is thoughtful and considered. She provides clear instructions and repeats what children say back to them to show she has understood. n Children benefit from a very wide range of highly stimulating and exciting activities. They take part in singing, dancing, games, craft activities and sharing stories. Children's physical development is very well supported. There are excellent opportunities for large- and small-scale movements to build their strength and coordination. For example, children strengthen their hands and fingers by using unusual items, such as cotton buds, to explore paint. This helps

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need to do better?

to effectively support their fine motor skills. n A very strong focus on supporting children's growing independence helps prepare them for school or the next stage in their learning. The childminder encourages children to make choices about what to play with and supports their interests and ideas. n Children thoroughly enjoy their time at the setting. They show great delight as they learn the names of animals and their place on the toy farm. They are fascinated and engrossed in their play. The dedicated childminder gathers the views of parents and children in order to continually review her practice. She evaluates her service in great detail. The childminder is passionate about her work and wants only the very best for the children in her care.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The childminder's home is very safe and secure. The childminder has an excellent understanding of her responsibilities around safeguarding. She attends training to keep herself up to date. Extremely robust procedures help the smooth running of the setting. On a daily basis, the childminder has a very high level of awareness of how to keep children safe and healthy. For example, she sensitively reminds older children how to be gentle when around babies. Excellent hygiene routines are in place. Children learn to cover their mouths when they cough and wash their hands so they do not spread germs.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 319783 Local authority Leeds Inspection number 10117250 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 10 Date of previous inspection 25 May 2016

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 1992 and lives in Leeds, West Yorkshire. The childminder operates Monday to Thursday, all year round, from 8am to 6pm, except for bank holidays and family holidays. She provides funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children. The childminder has an early years qualification at level 3.

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Inspection activities

n The inspector observed the quality of teaching during activities and assessed the impact on children's learning. The childminder and inspector evaluated an activity together. n The childminder showed the inspector around the areas of her home that children access. They discussed how the childminder organises her setting and plans for children's learning. n The inspector looked at a sample of the childminder's documents. This included evidence about training and suitability of those living on the premises. n The inspector held discussions with the childminder at appropriate times during the inspection. The inspector took account of the written views of parents and children.

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Inspection activities

24 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

24 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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