Childminder in Somerset

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

The childminder provides children and their families with a warm and homely environment where they feel safe and secure. Children develop close and trusting relationships with the childminder. They are content and confident in her care. The childminder is calm and nurturing towards children. She positively promotes their sense of belonging and emotional well-being. Children's behaviour is good. They listen and respond well to the childminder's instructions.

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The provision is good

The childminder supports children to share resources, take turns and develop friendships with other children. Children play well together to develop new ideas. For example, they show good levels of engagement as they take it in turns to race their toy cars down pieces of guttering. Children explore the setting with confidence and curiosity. The environment is well organised to enable them to make independent choices in their play. The childminder is a positive role model for children and treats them with respect. She gives children continuous encouragement and praise for their achievements. This successfully enhances their confidence and self-esteem.

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The provision is good

Due to the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic, parents are unable to enter the childminder's home. Parents now collect their children from the garden. This means daily discussions can take place with appropriate social distancing. The childminder makes good use electronic communications to ensure information about their child's progress is shared effectively with parents. The childminder has also introduced an outdoor sink for children to wash their hands in before mealtimes. Therefore, this change has had no direct impact on children's learning and development.

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need to do better?

n The childminder plans a variety of experiences and outings throughout the week, such as visiting local places of interest, exploring wildlife and trips to the local farm. This helps to enrich children's lives and introduces activities they may not experience at home. The childminder also plans regular outings with another childminder to promote children's socialisation and friendships even further. n The childminder models good language skills to describe and explain children's play and experiences. She is very attentive and asks children questions during their play to develop their learning. However, sometimes she does not give children enough time to respond before moving on. n Children benefit from spending quality time outside. They have plenty of fresh air and exercise. Children particularly enjoy creating potions using a range of resources. For example, they squeeze the lemons into a container to collect the

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need to do better?

juice and carefully pour this into their potions. Children develop the small

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need to do better?

19 July 2021 muscles in their hands as they press down on the soap dispenser to release water for their potions. n The childminder supports children to be independent. For example, older children wash their hands, feed themselves and help to tidy away resources when they have finished using them. n The childminder has a good understanding of how children learn and develop. She finds ways to promote children's literacy and vocabulary skills through their interests. For example, she uses the story 'That's not my frog' to encourage children to look and feel various textures. The childminder speaks clearly and introduces new words such as 'shiny' and 'rough'. She provides children with additional materials to deepen their understanding of each texture. However, some group activities are not sharply focused on each child's individual needs and, at times, younger children lose interest and concentration. n Children receive tailored settling-in sessions to ensure they feel happy and

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need to do better?

secure in the childminder's care. The childminder works closely with parents to gather detailed information about their child before they start. Parents describe the childminder as 'having amazing energy'. They comment on the 'home-from- home environment' she provides for children to learn and develop. n The childminder meets regularly with another childminder to share ideas and reflect on her practice. The childminder is keen to continue with her professional development. She attends online training to prepare herself for the implementation of the reforms to the early years foundation stage. This is in addition to regular mandatory training.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The childminder has a good knowledge of signs and symptoms that may suggest a child is at risk of harm. She has completed appropriate training to secure her understanding of child protection, including wider safeguarding procedures such as protecting children who may be exposed to extremist views. The childminder has a good knowledge and understanding of how to report any concerns regarding children's welfare. She has risk assessed her home and outdoors to minimise any hazards. The childminder's home is secure and well organised.

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should:

n develop children's thinking skills further by allowing them time to respond to questions n consider more closely how to adapt group activities to ensure all children, in particular younger children, fully engage and benefit from the learning opportunities.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 2499914 Local authority Somerset Inspection number 10191546 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 6 Number of children on roll 6 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2018. She lives in Frome, Somerset. The childminder provides care from 8am until 6pm, Monday to Wednesday, all year round.

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Inspection activities

n This was the first routine inspection the setting 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 the quality of education during activities and assessed the impact this has on children's learning. The childminder and the inspector reflected together on children's learning during activities. n The inspector looked at a sample of the childminder's documentation, including evidence of the suitability of those living on the premises. n The childminder and the inspector carried out a learning walk together. The childminder showed the inspector around the areas of her home that children access. They discussed how the childminder organises her setting, plans activities for children and keeps them safe. n The inspector held discussions with the childminder and children during the

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Inspection activities

inspection. She took account of parents' views by viewing their written comments.

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Inspection activities

19 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

19 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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