Stephens, Caroline Rachel

Overall effectiveness Good

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

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The provision is good

The childminder is very caring and provides a wonderfully nurturing and relaxed environment for the children. She works very closely with parents when children first start, to get to know children and support their individual needs. She has flexibly adapted these arrangements during the COVID-19 pandemic, conscientiously introducing additional arrangements to help new children settle. Children build very beneficial relationships with the childminder and her husband, who works as her co-childminder. Parents say that the childminders have been wonderfully supportive, particularly as their young children have had very limited social contact because of the pandemic. Parents comment that both childminders are so approachable and that their help and advice have been so useful. Parents say that they have seen a huge improvement in their child's happiness, engagement and well-being.

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The provision is good

Young children develop their dexterity and coordination well through the interesting experiences the childminder offers them. They make marks with sticks in the mud when out in the woods. Older babies excitedly crawl over to explore some chunky crayons and use these on large paper that the childminder sticks to the floor in her dining room. Children develop a love of books and eagerly listen to their favourite story. Parents discuss that the childminder's recommendations of story books are so helpful, and they now read these at home with their children too.

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need to do better?

n The childminder assesses children's progress and carefully monitors their development. She identifies any gaps in children's learning, making plans for each child to help them to achieve their next steps. She works closely with parents, developing a strong two-way flow of information to ensure they can provide consistent support for children. Babies and children make good progress. Their personal, social and emotional development are particularly high and rapidly progress. They gain very strong and positive attitudes to learning and developing their skills. n The childminder works with her co-childminder to offer very rich and stimulating experiences to develop children's understanding of the world. Babies and young children enjoy being outdoors and gain an appreciation and love of nature on their walks near the childminders' home. Children put food out for the local birds. Babies relish the sensory nature of the woodland as the childminder

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need to do better?

introduces them to interesting textures and experiences. Children learn road and bicycle path safety. They also learn about the differences between themselves and others during visits to the local cycling group that support people with a range of different needs.

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need to do better?

9 December 2021 n The childminder leads by example and treats children with kindness and respect. Young children listen to her and follow her instructions, they learn to share with their friends and take turns with toys. They take pride in doing things for themselves and develop their sense of responsibility very well. They conscientiously put toys away, help to tidy the table, put the cloth on for mealtimes and put their rubbish in the bin. The childminder is very supportive and offers them lots of encouragement and praise. She develops their confidence effectively. Young children smile proudly when they achieve tasks. n Overall, the childminder supports children's communication skills well. She develops their listening and understanding very effectively. She is very chatty and eagerly gives children a running commentary during activities. However, in her enthusiasm, the childminder sometimes does not give children enough time

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need to do better?

to answer her questions before she asks them another. Additionally, at times, her rapid extended discussion does not help babies and children to hear key speech sounds and words, to help develop their language skills as much as possible. n The childminder and co-childminder work as an effective team capitalising on each other's strengths. They set out their home with a highly organised range of stimulating resources and activities. They carefully evaluate their provision, making improvements and adjustments. They analyse how children use the areas, working out what works best and maximising the opportunities for children to make choices. Children delight in exploring and following their interests and ideas.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The childminder carries out thorough risk assessments on her home and when on outings to help maintain children's safety and security, including during their nature walks and woodland exploration. She is constantly mindful of babies' and young children's safety. She monitors and supports them closely while also ensuring they have the freedom to explore independently and develop their confidence and skills. The childminder has an in-depth understanding of the child protection issues that may affect children's well-being and welfare, and she knows the correct procedure to follow to keep children safe. She ensures she keeps abreast of any changes and refreshes her knowledge regularly by undertaking a range of relevant child protection training.

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should:

n give young children more opportunities to hear words clearly and more time to practise their language, to help their speech develop as quickly as possible.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 159261 Local authority South Gloucestershire Inspection number 10125482 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 14 December 2015

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2001. She lives with her husband, who works as her co-childminder, in Warmley, near Bristol. She operates all year round from 8am to 5.30pm, Monday to Thursday, except for bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder holds an appropriate qualification at level 3.

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Inspection activities

n This was the first routine inspection of the setting since the COVID-19 pandemic. The inspector discussed the impact of the pandemic with the childminder and has taken that into account in their evaluation of the provision. n The inspector viewed the areas used for childminding and discussed with the childminder how she implements the educational programmes for the children. n The childminder and the inspector evaluated the effectiveness of an activity together. The inspector observed the children and the childminder and spoke with them at appropriate times during the inspection. n The inspector took account of parents written views by reading their comments in email messages. n Relevant documentation was reviewed by the inspector, including suitability checks and paediatric first-aid qualifications, and the childminder discussed her procedures for safeguarding the children.

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Inspection activities

9 December 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

9 December 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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