Childminder in Somerset

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, settled and thrive in the childminder's provision. The childminder and her assistant develop extremely caring and respectful relationships with the children. The childminder has a wealth of experience and an in-depth understanding of how young children learn. The highly enthusiastic, playful and very caring interactions, and well-timed role modelling from the childminder and her assistant, mean that the quality of teaching is excellent. The childminder and her assistant provide inspiring commentary and ask very carefully worded, probing questions to engage children in practising their language and developing their thinking skills. They give children time to think and respond. Older babies babble excitedly and make new sounds, copying the clear, simple, age-appropriate speech offered to them. Young children listen, show their understanding and readily take turns in conversation, demonstrating superb skills for their young age. The

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The provision is outstanding

childminder takes extraordinary pride in all areas of her work. She provides a rich, exciting and highly stimulating environment for children, and they flourish. Young children enjoy challenges, such as working hard to match up shapes and puzzle pieces. They thrive on the attentive and sensitive encouragement and specific praise the childminder and her assistant give them and persevere excellently. Children spend considerable periods of time at their activities. They consistently make substantial progress in their learning and are working above their age in many aspects.

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need to do better?

n The childminder conveys exceptionally positive messages to teach children to live healthily, develop a love of nature and relish being active in the fresh air. Young children learn to grow, pick and cook produce, and to care for the childminder's animals. They giggle as they splash in large puddles or squelch in wet mud. The childminder inspires their curiosity, and they are fascinated as they touch soft flower petals or watch a butterfly land on a plant. Older babies toddle about and carefully negotiate ramps and small spaces. The childminder is very patient and stays close by to support children and ensure their continued safety and well-being. n Children's behaviour is exceptional for their age. Young children are extremely polite and learn very good manners. They show much respect for adults and other children. They readily share and take turns. They enjoy doing things for themselves and persevere very well to develop their skills. Older babies delight

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need to do better?

in feeding themselves and become adept with their spoon. Young children thoughtfully tidy away toys and conscientiously close gates when entering different parts of the farm with the childminder. n The childminder's and her assistant's knowledge of the children is superb. They consistently follow a strong cycle of observation, assessment and planning that

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need to do better?

16 March 2020 precisely outlines and supports children's next steps in their learning and helps children make excellent progress. Children are very confident in their abilities and have extremely positive attitudes towards learning. They are exceptionally well prepared for their move on to school. n Children's literacy development is closely supported by the childminder. They visit the mobile library each month, learning about borrowing books and how to be careful with them. The childminder sets out highly inviting areas in her playroom, with inspiring resources to encourage children to develop a love of books and stories. Young children happily explore their favourite stories and related toy animals. They very knowledgeably join in with repeated phrases and name characters. Children enjoy making marks and developing their creative and pre-writing skills, drawing pictures for their family. They develop excellent

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need to do better?

mathematical skills as the childminder's assistant inspires them to experiment with their use of shapes and count out and add features to their pictures. n The childminder is exceedingly enthusiastic and highly motivated to provide the very best for the children. She works very closely with her assistant, who she has been working with for many years, who is also very dedicated to the children and families. The childminder and her assistant have a superb, very beneficial relationship and make a highly effective team. They build on each other's strengths and communicate very closely about all aspects. They continually evaluate and monitor the provision to inform targeted further improvement. n Partnership working is a central feature of the childminder's practice. She works extremely closely with parents and other early years providers to ensure there is a collaborative approach to children's individual care and learning needs, so that

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need to do better?

children make excellent progress. Parents are exceptionally positive about the childminder's provision. They comment on the nurture children receive being 'second to none' and the level of personal attention to children's development 'amazing'. They also say that the location is 'amazing' and the outdoor play and exploration 'wonderful'.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

Children's safety and well-being are constantly given the highest priority. The childminder and her assistant have an in-depth understanding of how to recognise and refer any concerns about children's welfare. The childminder ensures that they regularly update their child protection knowledge through a wide range of appropriate training. Their risk assessment practices to keep children safe are rigorous and extremely thorough. They are used very effectively to help minimise hazards in the childminder's home and around her farm. The childminder effectively supervises and leads the practice of her assistant to maintain the very high standards in her provision. She has recently undertaken training in safer recruitment processes to help her ensure excellent practices when taking on any future assistants.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 142616 Local authority Somerset Inspection number 10125455 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 12 Number of children on roll 29 Date of previous inspection 22 September 2015

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 1995 and lives in Milton, near Martock, Somerset. She operates all year round from 7.30am to 5.30pm, Monday to Thursday, for 47 weeks of the year. The childminder regularly works with an assistant and also provides overnight care on request. She holds an appropriate qualification at level 5 and her assistant holds one at level 3.

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Inspection activities

n Ofsted is aware of the challenges that Covid-19 is currently posing to those we inspect. During this visit, the inspector took into consideration the impact of any measures being taken to slow the spread of Coronavirus by the childminder. This has included the effect these measures have had on the current attendance of the children. n The inspector observed the children and the childminder, and spoke with them at appropriate times during the inspection. The childminder and the inspector evaluated the effectiveness of an activity together. 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. This included evidence of her and her assistant's suitability and training, and her procedures for safeguarding the children. n The inspector viewed the areas used for childminding and discussed with the

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Inspection activities

childminder how she implements the educational programmes for the children.

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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

16 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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