Childminder in Devon

Overall effectiveness Good

The quality of education Good Behaviour and attitudes Good Personal development Good Leadership and management Good Overall effectiveness at previous inspection Requires improvement

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The provision is good

The childminder creates a nurturing home-from-home environment. Children can choose to play indoors or outdoors in this rural setting. They form trusting relationships with the friendly childminder. The childminder has a good understanding of what children's learning needs are. She completes regular observations and assessments of their development. She makes very good use of the plentiful resources to ensure that her curriculum supports children to make the best possible progress. The childminder has high expectations of children's behaviour and consistently promotes good manners. She regularly praises children for their achievements, which helps to build their confidence and self-esteem. The childminder is keen to teach children about the natural world. There are many exciting opportunities for children to have hands-on experiences with the animals on the family farm and to grow their own plants in the garden.

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The provision is good

Due to the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic, the childminder temporarily closed her setting. During this time, she kept in close contact with children and their families via regular video calls, to maintain good relationships. The childminder attended training to enhance her knowledge of children's mental health. Her positive and proactive steps helped children to settle quickly on their return. Children respond exceptionally well to the childminder's caring approach and develop a sense of belonging in the setting.

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need to do better?

n Children's physical development is promoted very well. They have access to a spacious garden area with a large well-resourced outdoor playroom. Children pick herb leaves and flowers and add these to cooking pots to make 'potions' in their own mud kitchen. They have fun pushing toy vehicles around the woodchip area. The childminder recognises the benefits for children to regularly use tools to dig and has plans to provide a new bigger area for this activity outdoors. n The childminder is eager to provide children with exciting experiences that they may not have at home. Children thoroughly enjoy bottle feeding the baby lambs and meeting the newborn calves. Children learn about how to care for the pet African land snails. For example, they learn about the food they like to eat and how to keep them happy by rubbing their shells. This helps them to understand that farm animals and pets have basic needs that must be met by the people

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need to do better?

who care for them. n The childminder enthusiastically talks to children and asks them questions. However, at times, she does not consistently tell young children the names of objects, repeat basic words or use simple words to describe what is going on, to help them increase their vocabulary and develop language skills. n The childminder fosters children's independence well. She encourages them to

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need to do better?

30 June 2021 try to do things for themselves. For example, young children learn how to successfully post shapes through the toy letter box. This helps children to develop confidence in making decisions and they quickly master new skills. n Partnerships with parents are very strong. The childminder shares information with parents about their child's day during a short discussion on collection. She shares further details about children's development through regular text messages. Parents are very complimentary of the childminder. They value the information she shares about the children's learning and how to support this at home. n The childminder has made good improvements since her last inspection, which are embedded in her routines. For example, she ensures that parents provide written permission for her to give medication to their child. The childminder reflects on her practice and asks children for their views. As a result, she has

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need to do better?

plans to make a sensory walk in the garden to expand the children's experiences. n Children enjoy a range of interesting and challenging activities. For example, older children build their own assault course. They work out how to increase the difficulty of completing the course by moving obstacles further apart and also adding a narrower plank to walk across. n There are excellent relationships with other settings that children attend. The childminder supports children to have a positive attitude to learning. There is a clear focus to develop children's independence and communication skills in readiness for school.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The childminder has updated her training. She has a clear understanding of the potential signs and symptoms of abuse and neglect. She knows what to do if she has any concerns about a child or if an allegation is made against her. The childminder completes regular risk assessments and she teaches children how to keep themselves safe. For example, older children are aware of the possible risks of small toys for younger children and they know to tidy these away to make sure that they are kept out of reach of little hands.

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should:

n continue to extend the curriculum to increase young children's vocabulary and to develop their language skills further.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY476265 Local authority Devon Inspection number 10102783 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 10 Date of previous inspection 5 April 2019

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2014 and lives in Lewdown village, near Okehampton, Devon. She operates all year round from 7am to 6pm, Monday to Friday. The childminder has a relevant qualification at level 3.

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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 their evaluation of the setting. n The inspector observed an activity and evaluated this with the childminder. n The inspector spoke to the childminder and children at appropriate times during the inspection. n The childminder talked to the inspector about how she organises her provision and her curriculum intent while the inspector viewed the premises. n The inspector viewed some documentation, including training certificates, the attendance register and evidence of insurance. n The inspector spoke with parents by telephone and took account of their views.

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Inspection activities

30 June 2021 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

30 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

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