Childminder in Norfolk

Overall effectiveness Outstanding

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

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The provision is outstanding

Children are extremely well settled. This highly experienced childminder demonstrates a genuine passion for her work with the children. She is an excellent role model, who has high expectations for each child. The childminder is sensitive to the possible effects of the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic on children and their families. She has adapted what she offers, particularly making excellent use of outdoor opportunities, to ensure children can continue to attend safely.

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The provision is outstanding

The curriculum is very well planned and flexibly implemented, to provide children with a wealth of experiences, both indoors and outdoors. Children learn through a highly effective balance of child-initiated and adult-led learning experiences. They benefit from the childminder's excellent teaching skills, which follows their interests, captures their imagination and ignites their curiosity.

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The provision is outstanding

Children thrive as they form very close and caring relationships, not only with the childminder but also with each other. They learn to be kind and to show compassion and respect for all living things, as well as each other. Children know how to behave and demonstrate excellent manners. They also have exceptional social and independence skills. They play harmoniously together for long periods of time, chatting and negotiating with each other, before agreeing what they are going to do next. They know to tidy activities away, before choosing to play with something else. They take turns and share and are learning how to resolve minor disputes, which they mainly manage to do independently. Children are exceptionally well prepared for their next stage in their learning.

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need to do better?

n The childminder uses a wide range of effective strategies to support children's language development. She talks with clarity and gives children plenty of time to practise speaking. The childminder listens and repeats any words that children mispronounce, reminding them, in a fun way, that there is a 't' sound in the word water and a 'y' sound in yellow. Children, including those who are learning to speak two languages, are confident speakers and have an extensive range of vocabulary. n Children have a love of literature. They know how to handle and use books to find out information. They understand the meaning of words, such as algae and museum. They know and recite rhymes and songs. They recall recent events, talking with knowledge about the hedgehogs and squirrels that visit the garden and the life cycle of tadpoles in the pond. Children remember examining the slugs' and snails' slimy trails under the magnifying glass and know that words,

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need to do better?

such as snail and trail, rhyme. n Children become excited as they find coins and gems, which have been hidden

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need to do better?

24 August 2021 in the garden. This captures their imagination as they dig for treasure and then roll their 'hoard' down the slide and try and catch it in their buckets. Recalling previous learning experiences, they decide to make a pulley to attach to the climbing frame. Children listen and follow instructions from the childminder, as they safely cut string and tie this to their buckets, before successfully working out how to pull the strings to move their buckets up and down. n Children show high levels of concentration as they work out how to fit different pieces of train track together, in order to increase the size. Later, they count with confidence, as they see how many vehicles fit on a transporter. The childminder makes excellent use of impromptu learning experiences, when one of the controls fails. Together they problem solve, finding out if the control is battery operated and deciding on which tool to use, to try fix the issue.

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need to do better?

Children's knowledge is further extended as the childminder explains how batteries provide power. n The childminder is committed to gaining more knowledge and skills, as well as refreshing those she already has. She has recently joined an outdoor learning association and is currently undertaking a foraging course, using new ideas to further enhance children's outdoor learning experiences. n Parents hold the childminder in the highest regard, with many choosing to use the childminder as the sole provider of their child's early education. The childminder works very closely with parents, suggesting consistent strategies to manage children's behaviour at home. Parents are fully informed about what their children are learning. They are extremely happy with the progress that their children make.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The childminder has a secure understanding of her safeguarding responsibilities. She is highly committed to keeping children safe. Following the last inspection, the childminder took swift action to ensure that the paediatric first-aid certificate she holds is valid. The childminder has completed child protection training to ensure her knowledge is completely secure. She confidently identifies possible indicators of abuse and knows how to keep children safe, referring to relevant agencies as required. The childminder teaches children about risks, particularly when playing outside, so that they can keep themselves safe.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 256426 Local authority Norfolk Inspection number 10127478 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 1 October 2019

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 1998 and lives in Reepham, Norfolk. She operates all year round from 7.30am to 5.30pm, Monday to Friday, except for bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder holds a relevant childcare qualification at level 3. She provides funded early education for three- and four-year-old children.

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Inspection activities

n This was the first routine inspection the childminder received since the COVID- 19 (coronavirus) pandemic began. The inspector discussed the impact of the pandemic with the childminder and has taken that into account in her evaluation of the provider. n The inspector observed the quality of interactions between the childminder and the children and evaluated the impact that this had on children's learning and development. n The inspector spoke with the childminder and discussed the activities and teaching that the childminder provides for children. n The inspector spoke with children at appropriate times during the inspection. n The inspector reviewed a range of documentation, including evidence of training and qualifications. n The inspector observed the learning environment and the range of activities, indoors and outdoors. n The inspector took account of the views of parents from written testimonials.

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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

24 August 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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