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 a welcoming, homely environment. Children are well settled and have a good relationship with the childminder who is caring and responsive to their individual needs. This builds children's confidence and willingness to try new experiences. Children enjoy listening to stories and singing familiar songs with the childminder. She introduces new language and asks skilful questions throughout, to build upon their knowledge.

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The provision is good

Children behave well and the childminder communicates clear rules and boundaries. For example, she sensitively supports the children to take turns and share toys. Children show good resilience and persevere with their chosen activities. For example, they concentrate when they complete jigsaw puzzles and keep trying until they place the piece correctly. Children develop their fine motor skills while playing with play dough. The childminder introduces a range of tools and equipment for children to manipulate the play dough and build up their hand muscles in readiness for early writing. During the COVID-19 pandemic, parents have not been able to enter the childminder's setting. She uses a range of methods to keep in contact with parents, providing them with feedback about the children's day. She has also recently introduced a weekly newsletter via email.

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need to do better?

n The childminder knows children well and understands their individual stages of development. Children have access to a well-resourced environment and they can independently choose from a wide range of resources and toys. n Children select books of interest for the childminder to read to them. They listen attentively and the childminder asks the children questions about the story. This supports children to develop their conversation skills and understanding. n The childminder uses every opportunity to extend children's language. For example, during role play, the childminder introduces new words, such as 'thermometer' and 'stethoscope'. n Overall, the quality of teaching is good. However, spontaneous activities are not as well thought through. Very occasionally, the childminder's choice of activity is sometimes too difficult for the ages of the children involved. They find the rules of the game too complicated and lose interest quickly.

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need to do better?

n The childminder provides children with a healthy diet and children enjoy home- cooked meals. Children are offered a range of opportunities to be physically active indoors and outdoors. For example, the childminder's extensive outdoor space provides children with ample opportunities for fresh air and physical exercise. n Children are offered a wide variety of opportunities to learn about the wider world. Children help to care for the animals the childminder keeps on her small

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need to do better?

29 November 2021 holding and experience outings within the local community. For example, children enjoy trips to the local park and shop. The childminder joins other local childminders and children at stay-and-play sessions. This builds children's social skills and confidence in new situations. n Children successfully achieve independent self-care skills and understand new routines. For instance, children know to wash their hands before they eat. The childminder supports the children to sing 'happy birthday' twice to ensure children wash their hands thoroughly. This supports children to understand how to keep themselves healthy. n Partnership with parents is good. Parents describe the setting as home-from- home and comment on the good levels of communication and support the childminder provides. However, the childminder's arrangements for helping parents support children's learning at home could be strengthened, to enhance

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need to do better?

children's learning and development even further.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The childminder understands her responsibilities to keep children safe from harm. She has completed safeguarding training and is also aware of broader safeguarding issues. She has a good understanding of the signs and symptoms that may indicate possible abuse and the procedures to follow should she have any concerns about the children in her care. The childminder ensures her environment is safe and clean for the children. For example, she carries out daily checks on all areas, toys and resources.

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should:

n strengthen the process for sharing home-learning ideas with parents to support children's progress and development further n focus more closely on children's current abilities to provide consistently targeted support and suitably challenging activities.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 2522802 Local authority Somerset Inspection number 10208149 Type of provision Childminder

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Registers

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

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inspection

Total number of places 6 Number of children on roll 8 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2019 and lives in Highbridge in Somerset. The childminder operates daily throughout the year, from 8am to 6pm. Children aged two, three and four years receive free early education funding.

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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 childminder spoke to the inspector about their intentions for children's learning. n The inspector observed the interactions between the childminder and the children. n The childminder provided the inspector with a sample of key documentation on request. n Parents shared written feedback about the childminder with the inspector.

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Inspection activities

29 November 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

29 November 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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