Childminder in Gloucestershire

Overall effectiveness Good

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

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The provision is good

Children thrive in the childminder's welcoming home. They feel safe and secure as they make strong attachments with the childminder and his co-childminder. Children benefit from a consistent approach to their care and learning. The childminder has formed good partnerships with parents and other settings the children attend. Since the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic began, the childminder has put extra safety measures in place. Currently, parents do not enter the house to minimise spread of the virus. However, the childminder and co- childminder still maintain effective communication with parents. For example, they update parents outside, while chatting about their children's day, and share information using electronic communications.

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The provision is good

Children behave well and demonstrate positive attitudes to learning. They show curiosity and engage with the interesting activities the childminder provides. The childminder links activities to their interests and learning needs. For example, children delight in mixing powder paints to explore colour mixing. The childminder expands children's vocabulary as they talk about texture. Children practise mathematical skills as they count the scoops of water and make 'big circles'. The childminder has high expectations of what children can achieve. All children, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities, make good progress. If children encounter any difficulty in their learning and development, the childminder makes the appropriate referrals to other professionals without delay.

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need to do better?

n Together with his co-childminder, the childminder regularly reflects on his practice and the environment for children. They gain feedback from parents and use what they know about children to identify priorities for improvement and suitable training. For example, they recently undertook a training course to further support children's speech and language development. They used their new knowledge to improve their skills and to provide targeted support for children when needed. n Children enjoy learning together as a group. The childminder and his co- childminder plan group activities such as story time. All children participate excitedly when the childminder invites them to act out stories and they use their imaginations to become the characters. However, the content of group activities does not always meet the needs of all children in the group. While older children benefit from the childminder teaching them phonics at this time, younger

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need to do better?

children quickly lose interest and become distracted. n The childminder demonstrates warm and effective interactions with children. He positions himself at the child's level, asks open questions and make comments as children play to extend their thinking. However, sometimes he asks too many

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need to do better?

8 July 2021 questions at once and children do not have time to think and respond. n Children have opportunities to learn about and engage with the natural world. For example, the childminder and his co-childminder take children to visit parks and farms to gain first-hand experience of animals and nature. At the childminder's house, children help to care for the pet guinea pigs. They also learn about the life cycle of a caterpillar as they observe how they change into butterflies in the enclosed net that is their home. n Children are well supported by the childminder to practise making marks in enjoyable and purposeful ways. For instance, children say they would like to make 'pasta pie' in the mud kitchen. The childminder writes this on the blackboard for children to see and they add their own marks next to it. Children also make marks to write shopping lists as the childminder asks them what they need to buy.

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need to do better?

n Children's behaviour is very good. The childminder teaches children to learn how to share toys with their peers. He models the appropriate language for children to use, for example 'please can I have'. He also encourages children to consider the feelings of others and take turns. n The childminder teaches children about healthy lifestyles and how to become independent. For instance, at snack time he discusses with children how fruit is good for them, and he provides ample opportunities for them to exercise in the garden. Children balance along beams and ride tricycles to develop balance and coordination. They develop independence in tasks such as peeling and cutting their own fruit and putting on their own shoes.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The childminder is fully aware of his role and responsibility in keeping children safe from harm. He attends regular safeguarding training to keep his knowledge up to date and can recognise the signs and symptoms when a child may be at risk of harm. He knows the correct reporting procedures to follow should he have concerns about the welfare of a child. The childminder also has awareness of wider safeguarding issues, for example children being exposed to radical views. He is aware of the action to take in the event of an allegation being made against his conduct.

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should:

n review the content of group activities to encourage all children's full participation and ensure their learning needs are met n consider the use and frequency of questions when interacting with children and encourage their thinking and language skills further.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY550478 Local authority Gloucestershire Inspection number 10133794 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 3 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2017. He provides care for children in his home, along with his co-childminder, in the Longlevens area of Gloucester. He operates all year round. The childminder holds a relevant early years qualification at level 3.

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Inspection activities

n This was the first routine inspection the provider received since the COVID-19 pandemic began. The inspector discussed the impact of the pandemic with the provider and has taken that into account in their evaluation of the provider. n The inspector spoke to the childminder, co-childminder and children at convenient times during the inspection. n The childminder led the inspector on a learning walk around the premises to discuss how the early years provision and curriculum are organised. n The inspector and the childminder carried out and discussed a joint observation of practice together. n A range of documents were sampled by the inspector, including information on the suitability to work with children, first-aid certification, the safeguarding policy and children's records.

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Inspection activities

8 July 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

8 July 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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