Childminder in Suffolk

Overall effectiveness Outstanding

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

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The provision is outstanding

Children are extremely happy and feel secure in this exceptionally welcoming childminding setting. They behave very well. Children are skilfully supported to manage their own self-care needs and develop the key skills needed for the next stage in their learning, such as starting school. They build highly secure relationships with the childminder, confidently inviting her to share in their play. Children thoroughly enjoy the childminder's interactions with them. For example, when they have snack, the childminder uses a 'peeler, corer and spiraliser' tool to prepare the apples. Children laugh as the peel of the apple unwinds into a 'snake'. The childminder encourages the children to look at the apple core. They take out the pips and count how many there are. Children count confidently.

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The provision is outstanding

The childminder chats to children as they play and learn, significantly enhancing their communication and language skills. Children are taken on exciting outings into the local environment, where they learn about their local community and the wider world. Along with the childminder, they have been linking up with a local bio- diversity group where they are learning about the world around them. Children and the childminder meet up with another local childminder and her minded children, supporting children's developing social skills effectively.

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need to do better?

n The childminder establishes extremely caring relationships with the children. During the COVID-19 pandemic, she continued caring for the younger children on roll. She offered them the highest level of continuity of care, structure and routine. The childminder's strict hygiene routines also gave parents additional peace of mind. n The childminder has high expectations of what children can achieve. She has a thorough knowledge of where they are in their learning and is fully aware of what they need to learn next. She plans interesting and varied activities to consolidate what they already know and build on their learning. Children make rapid progress. n The childminder sets clear and consistent boundaries for children's behaviour. Children know what is expected from them. They play exceptionally well together, sharing toys and resources. Children are polite and respond positively to the childminder's high expectations. The childminder is an excellent role

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need to do better?

model, is calm, gentle and treats children with genuine, positive regard. n Children demonstrate high levels of independence, and this is skilfully encouraged by the childminder. They readily wash their hands at appropriate times. Children know to use soap and the childminder counts with them, up to 20, while they rub the soap into their hands. Children confidently put on their own coat and shoes before going outside to play.

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need to do better?

28 February 2022 n The childminder expertly knows when children need support to play and learn. She knows when to intervene and when to stand back and allow children to explore and investigate. Children are highly motivated to lead their own play and learning. n Children become confident communicators. The childminder gives the highest priority to promoting their speech and language skills. She engages children in conversation and introduces new vocabulary. Children use a parachute to bounce soft, coloured stars while singing songs together. They join in enthusiastically, and squeal with delight, as the song gets faster, and the stars are bounced higher. n Parents speak highly of the childminder. They appreciate the excellent levels of communication and state that they 'feel at ease' leaving their children with the childminder, knowing that they 'are in good hands'. Parents report that their children have 'flourished in her care'. The childminder is committed to keeping

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need to do better?

parents informed about their children's progress and encouraging them to continue to share what they know about their child. n The childminder assesses children's progress accurately. She is committed to sharing information about their development with other settings that they attend. This highly effective, two-way flow of information helps to ensure that children's individual needs are identified and met. n The childminder keeps up to date with current legislation and good practice guidance, to help ensure that she continues to meet the statutory requirements. She is highly motivated to continue her own professional development. Since her last inspection, she has completed several training courses. The childminder meticulously considers what she has learned, to ensure that she continues to offer the highest quality of care and teaching.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The childminder has an excellent understanding of her responsibility to keep children safe and protect them from harm. She actively keeps them safe throughout the day. The childminder knows the children and their families very well. She is alert to changes in children's home lives that could give cause for concern. The childminder is fully aware of the indicators of abuse and knows how to report concerns. She understands about wider safeguarding issues and is alert to children and families being drawn into extreme behaviours and views.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 250654 Local authority Suffolk Inspection number 10113107 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 10 Date of previous inspection 16 February 2016

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder was registered in 1988 and lives in Long Melford, Suffolk. She provides care from 7.30am to 6pm on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. Care is offered from 8am to 5pm on Thursdays. The childminder operates for 48 weeks of the year. She provides funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children. The childminder is registered to provide overnight care.

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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 and the childminder held a discussion to understand how the early years curriculum is organised and the childminder's intentions for children's learning. n The inspector observed the quality of teaching during activities indoors and outdoors and assessed the impact this had on children's learning. n The inspector spoke with the childminder at appropriate times throughout the inspection. She observed an activity and jointly evaluated this with the childminder. n Children spoke to the inspector during the inspection. n The inspector checked evidence of the suitability of all household members and qualifications of the childminder. n The inspector spoke to a parent and took account of 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

28 February 2022 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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