Childminder in Swindon

Overall effectiveness Good

The quality of education Good Behaviour and attitudes Outstanding Personal development Good Leadership and management Good Overall effectiveness at previous inspection Not applicable

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The provision is good

Children feel safe and loved in the homely environment. The childminder and her assistant are warm and very attentive. Babies return for reassuring cuddles, while they explore their surroundings. Adults hug them closely and sing to them, and children feel very secure. Children follow the adults' excellent example, as they treat each other with kindness and respect. Older children are helpful and are patient with the little ones. They behave impeccably. Children are thoroughly absorbed in their play. They eagerly take part in planned activities and follow instructions very well. They are extremely confident, choose what they want to do and play cooperatively. They involve all the children in their play, and they share and take turns with ease, for example, as they delightedly show their friends the snail they have found. Children are highly resilient when they find something difficult, such as when pouring water; they persist and show great satisfaction in

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The provision is good

their achievement. Staff encourage this can-do attitude, and they praise the children saying, 'I knew you could do it'. During the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic, some children have experienced stressful home situations and have had far fewer opportunities to socialise. This has made it harder for some babies to settle. The childminder has arranged longer settling-in periods with shorter days to help children gradually build confidence.

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need to do better?

n The childminder plans a curriculum, taking account of the skills and knowledge that she wants children to develop. She and her assistant have high expectations for all the children. They provide activities which build on what children already know and can do. For example, children become fascinated with planets, and the childminder offers activities to deepen their understanding. However, the planning of some group activities are not engaging or developmentally appropriate for everyone, especially the youngest children. n The childminder monitors children's development extremely accurately. She promptly identifies children at risk of falling behind. With parents' support, she makes sure children get the help they need. She seeks and follows the advice of other professionals, such as sleep consultants, to support children and their families. n Overall, the childminder and her assistant support children's language

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need to do better?

development well. They read stories with great expression and sing with the children every day. They talk to children about what they are doing. However, they do not always give children enough time to think and to respond before answering for them. n The childminder develops children's early literacy skills to help them with later reading and writing. Children show a keen interest in books. They begin to recognise letters and to link some to the sounds they represent. They enjoy

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need to do better?

22 June 2021 many activities that help them to gain good control of their hands, such as using tools and manipulating dough. n The childminder provides good opportunities for children to learn about the world. For example, children learn about life cycles as they watch caterpillars transform into butterflies. They enjoy frequent visits, often travelling by bus, to parkland, to museums and to the library. Children learn to recognise and to value differences. For example, they enjoy listening to the different types of music they hear at home. n The childminder and her assistant have high but realistic expectations for children's behaviour. They set fair and consistent boundaries, and they explain clearly so children understand what is expected. When children struggle with this, the childminder works closely with parents to identify and to address any concerns. They agree a consistent approach and take highly effective action to

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need to do better?

offer support. n The childminder works exceptionally well with parents and with other professionals involved in children's care. This helps them to support children and to provide continuity in their learning. Parents speak highly of the childminder and the good progress their children have made since starting with her. The childminder gets to know children and their families incredibly well from the start. n The childminder is ambitious and is keen to continue developing her professional skills. She learns new information from a network of other childminders, including through online training and research. She monitors and coaches her assistant, so she can also develop her knowledge.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The childminder has a robust knowledge of child protection and of other safeguarding issues. She has completed advanced safeguarding training, and she updates this regularly. She is very aware of the indicators that a child may be at risk of harm, and she is highly alert to possible concerns. She acts promptly to help keep children safe. She understands the pressures some families experience and does all she can to help. She maintains a safe environment in her home and her garden. She holds a current paediatric first-aid certificate, and she knows what to do if a child has an accident.

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should:

n ensure group activities are appropriately challenging and engaging for all the children taking part n give children enough time to think and to respond, and encourage them to

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY551978 Local authority Swindon Inspection number 10143608 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 5 Number of children on roll 12 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2017. She lives in the Rodbourne area of Swindon and works with an assistant. She operates all year round from 8am to 6pm, Tuesday to Friday. The childminder provides funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children. She holds a relevant early years qualification at level 3, and her assistant is qualified at level 2.

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Inspection activities

n This was the first routine inspection the childminder received since the COVID- 19 pandemic began. The inspector discussed the impact of the pandemic with the childminder and has taken that into account in her evaluation of the childminder. n The childminder talked to the inspector about how she plans her curriculum and organises her home to meet children's learning needs. The inspector looked at the resources and at all areas of the home and the garden used by the children. n The inspector observed the childminder and her assistant. She assessed the quality of teaching during activities, and she discussed the impact this has on children's learning and personal development with the childminder. n Children played with and spoke to the inspector, and she observed the progress they are making. n Parents talked with the inspector who took account of their views. n The inspector sampled relevant documents, such as evidence of suitability of

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Inspection activities

adults in the house, children's records and training certificates.

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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

22 June 2021 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

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/ofsted

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