Bennett, Catherine

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 very caring and patient manner. She is extremely attentive and carefully considers children's specific needs. She ensures that each child feels valued and that their emotional development is supported exceedingly well. Children are very happy and content and thrive in her care. Parents are exceptionally positive about the childminder and her co-childminder's provision. They say that they could not wish for a safer, happier and more inspirational setting for a child. They say, 'The love and care they offer is beyond words.'

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The provision is outstanding

The childminder focuses closely on developing children's independence skills and their sense of responsibility, offering them highly relevant age-appropriate challenges. Young children eagerly toddle off to get their boots on to go outside and confidently get their little chair out at lunchtime. Older children conscientiously tidy away the resources and proudly use the toilet or potty independently. Children's behaviour is excellent. They share toys and readily take turns. They appreciate the needs of others and older children are caring and helpful to the younger children. Children love being outside in the fresh air and enjoy wonderfully exciting opportunities in the childminder's garden. They mix mud potions, play imaginatively and test their physical skills on a range of equipment. They excitedly feed chickens and are fascinated as they touch or hold the warm eggs just collected.

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need to do better?

n The childminder's knowledge of the children in her care is excellent. She is acutely aware of any areas where they may be at risk of falling behind expected development. She has a strong cycle of observation, assessment and planning that precisely supports children's next steps in their learning. She focuses very closely on ensuring children gain the skills they will need for their move on to school, working closely with parents in a combined approach. Children make excellent progress and acquire an extensive range of skills. n The childminder offers young children wonderfully inspirational activities to develop their early literacy skills. She effortlessly adapts her support for the different ages. Children's listening and attention as well as their understanding develop excellently through the childminder's innovative story times. They enjoy making marks and older children confidently and very effectively write their

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need to do better?

names. They enjoy regular visits to the mobile library bus. They also learn to use books for a purpose, as the childminder uses relevant books with them in activities as a source of information. n Partnership working is very successful and a central feature of this childminder's practice. She works closely with parents and other settings children attend to help inform her assessments and planning and ensure there is a combined

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need to do better?

2 March 2020 approach to the support children receive. Parents are exceptionally positive about her excellent communication, saying she 'takes so much time to share so much with them'. n The childminder offers children inspiring and highly interesting play experiences to support their understanding of the world. Children have great fun acting as doctors. They use real bandages and plasters on the dolls, as their patients. The childminder talks to children about accidents and safety procedures. She listens intently as older children talk about relevant instances in their own experiences. She extends this discussion and their knowledge excellently using a first-aid book. Children are fascinated to learn about and discuss other possible injuries and treatments. n Children's mathematical skills develop excellently. The childminder skilfully threads support for this throughout the day. For example, she encourages young

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need to do better?

children to recognise and name the shapes of things at snack time and to count items. She asks children thought-provoking questions as they play, to encourage discussion of mathematics-related concepts. Children compare sizes and use numbers as they explain how long their mud cake will take to cook. Older children are challenged very effectively, as they estimate quantity and learn early addition. n The childminder is extremely enthusiastic, highly motivated and fully committed to her provision. She works exceptionally well with her co-childminder, ensuring excellent practice in all areas of their provision. Self-evaluation is a collaborative venture which gathers the views of all of those involved in the setting and clearly identifies areas to develop practice further. The childminder undertakes reading and research, constantly seeking new and improved ways of working, striving to provide the best she can for the children.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

p.3

Safeguarding

The childminder has an in-depth understanding of how to recognise and refer any concerns about children's welfare. She ensures she regularly updates her child protection knowledge through a wide range of appropriate training, using this to lead the practice of her assistants. The childminder's excellent organisation, thorough risk assessments and extensive daily checks ensure that children's safety is promoted at all times.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY299572 Local authority Somerset Inspection number 10125571 Type of provision Childminder

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Registers

Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register Day care type Childminder

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inspection

Total number of places 6 Number of children on roll 33 Date of previous inspection 22 July 2015

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2005 and lives in Leigh upon Mendip, near Radstock, Somerset. She works with her husband who is also a childminder. She operates all year round from 7am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, except for bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder holds an appropriate qualification at level 3. The childminder provides funded early education for children aged three and four years.

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Inspection activities

n The inspector viewed the areas used for childminding and discussed with the childminder how she implements the educational programmes for the children. n The childminder and the inspector evaluated the effectiveness of an activity together. n The inspector observed the children and the childminder and spoke with them at appropriate times during the inspection. n The inspector took account of parents' written views by reading their comments in letters and emails. n The inspector looked at a sample of the childminder's documentation, including evidence of her and her assistants' suitability and training, and her procedures for safeguarding the children.

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Inspection activities

2 March 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

2 March 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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