Childminder in Bath and North East Somerset

Overall effectiveness Outstanding

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

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The provision is outstanding

Children flourish under the childminder's exceptionally warm and stimulating care. Children settle extremely well and form remarkably close attachments to the childminder. Children grow rapidly in confidence and delight in doing things for themselves. The childminder is extremely sensitive to their feelings. She teaches them the words to express how they feel, and to understand how their actions affect others. They revisit this theme throughout the day. Children talk about how they will make a new baby feel welcome and find toys to share and play gently with them. Children are friendly and thoughtful, and their behaviour is exemplary.

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The provision is outstanding

Children are completely absorbed in their play. They are full of enthusiasm and concentrate for long periods because the childminder provides rich learning experiences. She encourages them to fully explore their interests and firmly reinforces the new skills, language, and ideas they encounter. For example, children delight in finding conkers inside shells. The childminder skilfully helps them explore size and volume as they make clay shells for their conkers. They continue to deepen their understanding by fitting people into toy vehicles, and themselves through tunnels and in tents. Babies are fully involved. They squeeze dough, scrunch leaves and babble with pleasure as they discover what is inside a box. Children make impressive progress from their starting points.

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need to do better?

n The childminder is a first class teacher. She knows precisely what children need to learn and has the highest expectations. She monitors children's development accurately and promptly spots children at risk of falling behind. She targets support to help them catch up. She plans activities that challenge children just enough, so they have time to practise and consolidate new skills and knowledge. This builds a very firm foundation for their future learning. n Children gain excellent communication and language skills. For example, children become confident speakers, with extensive vocabularies. The childminder listens with full attention and encourages children to think creatively. She asks interesting questions, such as 'how will you get it out of the mud?' Every day, they share stories and learn many rhymes and songs. Children's fluency and wide vocabularies prepare them especially well for becoming fluent readers.

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need to do better?

n The childminder builds strong partnerships with parents and keeps them exceptionally well informed about their children's day and progress. Parents speak extremely highly of the childminder. They say, 'her communication is outstanding' and 'she provides a wonderfully homely, safe and engaging setting'. The childminder provides valuable advice on how parents can support their children's development at home, including when they could not attend because of the COVID-19 pandemic. This robust partnership has a significant impact on

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need to do better?

6 October 2021 children's excellent progress and well-being. n The childminder weaves mathematics into everyday activities, so children constantly practise their growing skills. They show great interest in numbers and counting. For example, they roll and count dough balls, and the childminder extends the activity by encouraging them to compare sizes. They collect leaves and the childminder uses words, such as enormous, massive, and tiny as they look closely at their finds. Children make rapid progress in their mathematical understanding. n Children have wonderful experiences to learn about different people and the community they live in. For instance, they visit an old people's home and talk and play with the residents. They meet a children's author and listen to her story. n Children learn to manage small risks themselves. The childminder allows them freedom, for example to climb and balance within their limits and without being

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need to do better?

overly fearful. Children are alert to dangers. For instance, they spot and carefully walk around broken glass on the pavement. They learn to play safely around swings and how to cross the road. The childminder encourages children to express their feelings if they do not like what others are doing. Children develop excellent personal skills. n The childminder constantly reviews her practice and listens to parents' and children's ideas to help her make improvements. For example, she has plans to deepen her knowledge of open-ended play to encourage children's creativity and critical thinking skills even further. She undertakes training and shares information with other childminders to keep her practice fresh and interesting.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The childminder attends training to ensure she has up-to-date information about safeguarding matters. She is confident about recognising the signs that might indicate a child is at risk of harm and she knows how to record and report these. The childminder makes her home safe, so children can move freely and safely between rooms. She reviews and implements government guidance on reducing the risk of COVID-19. The childminder gets to know the children and their families remarkably well. She has built extremely trusting relationships with parents and children, so they feel confident to share any worries at an early stage.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY553994 Local authority Bath and North East Somerset Council Inspection number 10174195 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 5 Number of children on roll 5 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2017 and lives in Bath. She works on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday from 8am until 5.30pm, throughout the year. The childminder is a qualified primary school teacher. 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 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 provider. n The childminder showed the inspector around her premises and explained how she organises her space and plans her curriculum to support all areas of individual children's learning. n The inspector observed the children playing and the childminder's interactions with them. The inspector assessed the quality of teaching and its impact on children's learning. She observed care routines and how well they support children's well-being. n The inspector sampled relevant documents, such as children's records, evidence of the suitability of adults in the household, and training and qualifications. n The inspector spoke with one parent and took account of other parents' views

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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

6 October 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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