Childminder in Somerset

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 are very happy, settled and safe with the friendly, welcoming childminder. She provides a comfortable, exciting play environment that children enjoy exploring. The childminder has high expectations of children and they play extremely well together. They show exceptional levels of respect and kindness to their friends. Older children like to help their younger friends and show them a colourful story book. Children are keen to join in the activities the childminder provides. They show a curiosity in learning and make good progress. Children develop an early awareness of nature and technology. They recognise a ladybird and a wood louse outdoors and show care when they find a poorly bumble bee. They learn how to use a camera and help the childminder take photographs of the insects and creatures they find. Children enjoy helping to plant sunflower seeds and strawberry plants and learn that these need water and sunlight to grow. They

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The provision is good

learn how to keep themselves and others safe. For example, they pick strawberries with the childminder and say, 'We don't pick the ones with the 'white bits' on', knowing these are not yet ripe enough for them to eat. The childminder supported children and parents effectively during the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic. Children enjoyed the learning activities she provided for them and were reassured by her regular contact with them and their families, such as in video calls.

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need to do better?

n Children develop extremely high levels of self-esteem. The childminder skilfully supports children to behave exceptionally well. She is highly successful at helping children share. They happily let a younger friend go on a favourite ride- on car and wait patiently to take their turn afterwards. n Children develop good independence skills. They concentrate well, trying to cut up the fruit for their snack time. They know to carry their plate to the sink when they have finished eating. Younger children persevere well when trying to get themselves dressed to go outdoors. n Parents speak highly of the childminder. They say their children are very happy with her and she keeps them well informed about their learning and achievements. They comment that the childminder supported them well when they returned to work. n Children start to learn about simple mathematical concepts in their play. They help the childminder fill the water tray and decide how much more water they

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need to do better?

will need until it is full to the top. Younger children experiment with where they can pour water, such as over the sunflower plants they are growing. Older children count confidently and start to represent numbers using their fingers. At times, the childminder does not always challenge children's existing skills as effectively as possible, such as to help them start matching numerals to quantity more consistently.

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need to do better?

13 July 2021 n Children respond very positively to the calm, reassuring childminder. They form close relationships and go easily to her for cuddles. The childminder recognises when younger children are tired and settles them easily for a comfortable sleep. n The childminder reflects well on her practice to make improvements. She has changed the play areas around to enable children to make more independent choices in their play. n The childminder recognises children's individual stages of development and encourages their learning well. She plans a wide variety of stimulating activities, indoors and outdoors, and assesses children's achievements. However, she has not fully considered further ways to monitor and support all the next steps of development for those children who learn best outdoors, even more effectively. n Children gain confidence with their communication and language and use this very well to express their ideas. Older children say their toy cars are 'super-fast'

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need to do better?

and demonstrate this as they roll them down the slide. Younger children are eager to repeat sounds, such as animal noises, and confidently make themselves understood through gestures. Children listen attentively to a favourite story and join in with repeated refrains, such as to say, 'Not by the hair on my chinny, chin, chin'. Older children start to link sounds with letters and know that 'sausages and submarine' begin with an 'S' sound. n The childminder encourages children to develop their physical skills well in their play. Children have great fun climbing aboard the outdoor pirate ship, pushing a toy lawnmower across the grass or going with the childminder for a nature walk.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The childminder completes safeguarding training and is aware of signs that may cause her concern about children's welfare. She understands her responsibility to report safeguarding concerns to the relevant authorities. The childminder forms clear operational policies and procedures, such as for safeguarding, with parents. She maintains required records, such as to reflect visitors' attendance, and knows the importance of record keeping to support children's well-being. The childminder completes risk assessments of her home to help keep children safe in her care. She ensures her garden is securely enclosed and that children have sufficient space to move around safely in their play.

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should:

n make greater use of opportunities to challenge children's learning, to build on their existing individual abilities, with particular regard to their early mathematical awareness n consider further ways to support those children who learn best outdoors.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY556289 Local authority Somerset Inspection number 10174803 Type of provision Childminder

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Registers

Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register Day care type Childminder

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inspection

Total number of places 4 Number of children on roll 7 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2018. She lives in Norton Fitzwarren, Somerset. The childminder is available to care for children Monday to Friday from 7.45am until 6pm, all year round. The childminder holds a childcare qualification at level 3. The childminder receives funding to provide free early education for children aged two, three and four years.

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Inspection activities

n This was the first routine inspection the setting received since the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic began. The inspector discussed the impact of the pandemic with the setting and has taken that into account in their evaluation of the setting. n The inspector observed children's interactions in play, indoors and outdoors, and had discussions with the childminder about the curriculum that she delivers. n Parents' views were taken into consideration through discussion and their written feedback. n The inspector sampled required documentation, such as the childminder's safeguarding policies and her qualification and first-aid certificates. n The childminder and inspector undertook a joint observation and discussed children's learning. n Children spoke with the inspector about the games they were playing.

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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

13 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

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

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