Matthews, Amy

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 settle extremely quickly when they first start. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the highly skilful childminder has fostered an environment where children feel safe and confident. She makes excellent use of everyday routines and resources to enhance children's understanding in all areas of learning. For instance, children learn mathematical concepts throughout the day. The childminder encourages children to identify and use words such as 'half' and 'smallest' when they use knives to cut their own fruit during snack time. Young children confidently say the next number in the sequence when they count objects. Children are exceptionally well prepared for the next stage in their learning.

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The provision is outstanding

The childminder uses innovative methods to help children understand the diverse communities around them. She helps them to build on their own self-awareness. Young children use mirrors to learn about themselves. Older children discuss the notes they have added to the 'worry box'. The childminder supports children to manage their feelings extremely well.

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The provision is outstanding

The childminder has high expectations of all children. As a result, children demonstrate excellent behaviour. Children are caring towards others and know how to be kind. For instance, they use the vets play area with plasters, note pads, and bandages to care for animals. From a young age, children develop a love of reading and stories. The childminder provides boundless opportunities for children to extend their imagination during their play. For example, inside, they have small bags filled with props to use alongside books. Outside, children retell the story of 'The Three Little Pigs' using a wide range of resources, such as lifelike bricks. This helps children to build on what they already know.

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need to do better?

n The childminder provides a well-planned curriculum that follows children's interests and provides them with a wealth of opportunities to develop their communication and language skills. She supports children to extend their vocabulary as they experiment and try to work things out for themselves. Children are highly curious and have excellent concentration skills. They learn through activities and continuously learn new skills. For instance, children use flower petals, conkers, tweezers, scoops, and pipettes to move objects and water from one area to another. This supports the development of their small- muscle skills. n The childminder is constantly creating opportunities for children to build on their knowledge and understanding of the world. She describes how children enjoy sharing information with others. For example, they share with teachers at school why snails produce foam. They take great delight in helping others to

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need to do better?

4 October 2021 understand that it is because the snails are afraid. n The childminder has developed an outstanding environment, which captures children's imagination. For instance, children snuggle under the tree in the garden to read books. They enjoy trying on jewellery and dressing-up clothes and searching for unusual items in the inspiring old suitcase. This also builds on their literacy and independence skills. n The childminder's curriculum provides children with a wide range of opportunities to use all their senses and extend their creative skills using natural resources. For example, children collect conkers on their walks through the park. They make good use of them, developing their small-muscle skills when they roll them in paint. The childminder adds real objects to activities to enhance children's experience. Children pick basil to use in the mud kitchen and explore how the herb smells when added to the mud or water.

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need to do better?

n Children enjoy manoeuvring on large equipment around the garden. They spend time problem solving during activities, where they explore different volumes, speed and sizes, demonstrating a real can-do attitude. Children's knowledge is further extended as the childminder explains what causes things to move faster or slower. n The childminder works closely with parents and fosters excellent relationships with them. She obtains accurate information about children's starting points and interests, and monitors children's progress. Furthermore, the childminder meets with parents to review children's development and to discuss their next steps. This helps to support children and close any gaps in their learning. Parents report that during the pandemic lockdowns they appreciated the support they received for their children's well-being. For example, the childminder prepared home learning packs to maintain continuity in children's learning. In addition, all

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need to do better?

sessions were held outside in the garden, using a broad range of resources to provide high-quality learning experiences for children. These included outdoor movie sessions, making pizzas from scratch and studying bugs and their habitation. This builds on children's social and emotional development. n The childminder evaluates her practice and has a proactive approach to her professional development. She makes effective use of available training to improve her practice. This is evident when she develops the way she shares stories and plans her storytelling sessions. In addition, she works closely with other professionals to share excellent practice.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

p.3

Safeguarding

The childminder works closely with parents and shares policies and procedures to help keep children safe. The childminder regularly completes visual risk assessments to ensure the environment is safe and secure indoors and outdoors. The childminder ensures that safeguarding and children's well-being are a top priority. She knows who to contact if she has a concern about a child in her care. The childminder is able to identify possible indicators of abuse and understands the 'Prevent' duty responsibility. In addition, she has a good understanding of the

p.3

Safeguarding

4 October 2021 wider safeguarding issues. The childminder makes excellent use of training to keep her knowledge up to date.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY553991 Local authority Bromley Inspection number 10174505 Type of provision Childminder

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Registers

Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register Day care type Childminder

p.5

inspection

Total number of places 6 Number of children on roll 1 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2017. She lives in the London borough of Bromley. The childminder works from 7.30am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, during term time only.

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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 looked at relevant documentation and reviewed evidence of the suitability of all persons living at the premises. n Parents shared their views with the inspector in discussion and letters. The inspector took these into account. n Children spoke to the inspector during the inspection. n The inspector observed the quality of interactions during activities indoors and outdoors and assessed the impact that these have on children's learning. n The childminder and the inspector completed a tour of all areas used for childminding and discussed how the early years provision and the curriculum are organised. n The childminder and the inspector carried out a joint observation.

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Inspection activities

4 October 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

4 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

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