Childminder in Swindon

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 extremely happy and confident. Their behaviour is exemplary. Young children develop an incredibly strong understanding of sharing and turn taking and treat each other with considerable respect. Older children have a wonderful understanding of the needs of younger children and make sure they are always included. For example, as budding architects, they teach them how to draw marshmallows as 'a 3D cube, instead of a 2D square'. They describe every aspect of the 'ice castle' they have designed. Children are very proud of their achievements, photographs of many of which the childminder keeps in learning books they can look at and discuss. Children benefit from long periods of uninterrupted time to play and experiment so that they remain focused on activities. For instance, during an activity to build on shape awareness in the environment, younger children independently draw and cut out shapes and say

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The provision is outstanding

proudly, 'I cut teeny tiny triangles'. Older children notice the cucumber pieces they have chopped are semi-circles and challenge younger children to make a circle with them. To extend this activity they decide to make different-shaped magnifying glasses on sticks so they can look through them and see if they can match a shape inside it. Children are highly motivated and very engaged in their learning.

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need to do better?

n The childminder is very aware that all children are unique and develop at their own pace. She uses accurate assessments with high-quality observations to ensure she meets children's needs very well. Children benefit from extremely well-planned activities that address their individual development needs. The childminder has high expectations of the children and helps rapidly close any gaps in learning. As part of the exceptionally well-planned curriculum, children have constant use of the garden to enable physical development and exploration of the natural world. Children enjoy climbing a small climbing frame, balancing on walking beams and crawling through a giant tunnel. n Children gain a superb level of mathematical awareness throughout activities. For instance, older children share out amounts evenly by using their problem- solving skills and younger children recognise numerals and number patterns in

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need to do better?

puzzles and turn-taking games. n Children of all ages develop wonderful imaginations as they play cooperatively together and begin to introduce storylines into their role play. For example, children shriek with delight as they run around pretending to be sharks in the ocean. Others say, 'I have a great idea', and find the pop-up tent to use as a ship. Younger children jump on decking to keep safe and older children help them to swim to safety, launching into a discussion about the importance of learning to swim. Children then recall swimming on family holidays in France and eating croissants. Children learn many new words because of these rich

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need to do better?

21 February 2020 experiences. n The childminder and her assistant accentuate initial sounds in words routinely as they play with the children. Older children start to form recognisable letters and confidently write small words and younger children begin to read their names. This provides an excellent foundation for early reading. n The childminder supports children exceptionally well to independently manage their own personal needs. Children are extraordinarily confident learners. They ask for help and are highly resilient if they do not initially succeed. n The childminder frequently takes children on a wide range of outings to extend their learning. They meet other people and develop an excellent understanding of the world around them. For example, they visit local groups so children can develop essential social skills. The childminder prepares children exceptionally well for starting school. n The childminder has highly positive partnerships with parents, who are provided

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need to do better?

with very detailed information about the service she provides. One parent states that the childminder offers a 'stunning setting for children to play and they simply thrive in her and her assistant's care'. n The childminder undertakes a comprehensive self-evaluation of her provision and notes ongoing developments and improvements in her self-evaluation book. She uses feedback from children, parents and her assistant to make changes which benefit children, many of them focused on children's individual interests and fascinations. She is supporting her assistant to complete a degree in child psychology and to research articles. This helps provide new and exciting activities and resources that motivate children to learn and ensures they make outstanding progress.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

Children's safety and safeguarding is paramount. Highly comprehensive safeguarding procedures are in place and understood by the childminder and her assistant and shared with parents from the outset. Children are learning how to keep safe and healthy very effectively. For example, during the inspection, older children discussed online safety with younger children using computer tablets. Children have a strong understanding of healthy lifestyles and follow excellent hygiene routines. For instance, older children remind younger children not to use cutlery or eat food that has fallen on the floor because it will have germs.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY302718 Local authority Swindon Inspection number 10125578 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 8 Total number of places 6 Number of children on roll 21 Date of previous inspection 29 April 2015

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in April 2005. She lives in the Taw Hill area of Swindon. She operates all year round on weekdays, from 7.15am until 5.30pm. The childminder holds a relevant early years qualification at level 3. The childminder receives funding for free early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children. She works with a full-time assistant, who is her adult daughter.

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Inspection activities

n The inspector observed the childminder and her assistant's interactions with children and the impact this has on children's learning. n The inspector carried out a joint observation with the childminder. n The inspector spoke to parents and took into account the views of parents through written testimonials and questionnaires. n The inspector spoke with the childminder, assistant and children at appropriate times during the inspection. n The inspector sampled paperwork, including children's records, policies and procedures and safeguarding procedures and training certificates.

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Inspection activities

21 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

21 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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