Childminder in Stoke-on-Trent

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 demonstrate that they are extremely happy, very confident and feel emotionally secure with the childminder. They exhibit impeccable behaviour. Children learn and use their manners spontaneously, wait their turn and share when they want the same toys. They are fully involved in making decisions and their views and ideas are sought and respected. Children are animated and enthusiastic learners. They confidently explore and investigate the wealth of innovative resources and activities and make independent choices as they play.

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The provision is outstanding

The childminder has extremely high expectations for all children. She plans an extensive curriculum that is exceptionally exciting, fun and challenging. For instance, children are intrigued to know more about penguins, such as their different roles, what a group of penguins are called and why they carry their eggs on their feet. Children use their growing vocabulary to articulate their learning. For example, they talk about the difference in the size of an adult penguin and a chick. They consider different breeds, such as the emperor and king penguin. They discuss conditions in Antarctica and why the penguin feathers are so close together they look like fur. Highly effective interactions between the childminder and children mean that children make rapid progress in their learning.

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need to do better?

n During the COVID-19 pandemic, the childminder recognised the importance of maintaining relationships with children to ensure their emotional security and overall well-being. She understands the importance for children to experience high-quality, positive opportunities to socialise with other children and adults. The childminder skilfully teaches children about difference and diversity. She supports them to develop a broad understanding of communities different to their own. n The childminder values and respects children's unique needs and individuality and ensures that her practice is fully inclusive. She designs a curriculum for recall and to promote children's long-term memory. The childminder works with parents and other professionals to plan the best curriculum for children. The impact of the curriculum on what children know and do is highly effective. n The childminder consistently engages children in discussion and listens

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need to do better?

attentively to their ideas. She extends children's thinking skills by encouraging them to give reasons for their thoughts and opinions. For example, she asks them where they think would be the best place to put their newly potted bulbs. When they make suggestions, she asks, 'Why there, and not over here?' n The childminder plans an extensive range of educationally focused visits. These include visits to the local woods, country parks, lido and within the local community. This provides children with real-life experiences they may not have

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need to do better?

3 March 2022 experienced before. It helps them to make links in their learning and broadens their understanding of the world. n Singing is a constant feature in the setting. Children freely burst into song while they wait for their lunch or when playing with their friends. They gain a love of reading from a very young age. The childminder ensures she includes props to enhance story and singing times even further and extend children's imagination and vocabulary. Children smile at the childminder and laugh loudly when she makes her funny voices to bring the characters in stories to life. n Children have daily access to a large, newly designed outdoor play area to support their physical skills. Children balance and climb on secure wooden structures and a climbing wall to further challenge their excellent physical skills. Here, they learn how to assess and take risks safely. n Partnerships with parents are remarkably strong. The childminder frequently

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need to do better?

shares high-quality observations and assessments with parents. Parents express the highest of praise for the childminder. For example, they describe her as brilliant and incredibly friendly with an abundance of energy and endless enthusiasm. They comment that their child is not just looked after by this childminder but loved. n The childminder is exceptionally passionate about the service she provides. She carries out wide-ranging research and training to continually develop her professional skills. The childminder is extremely reflective, and skilfully identifies areas that can be further enhanced in order to maintain her already high quality provision.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The childminder has an in-depth knowledge of the signs and symptoms of abuse, including radical and extreme views and domestic violence. She is confident and knows what to do if she has a concern about a child. Her extensive safeguarding knowledge and procedures help to underpin her outstanding practice. They are implemented exceptionally well, including those relating to keeping children safe during the COVID-19 pandemic. The childminder identifies specific training that will enhance her already outstanding knowledge on a wide range of safeguarding topics. The childminder undertakes detailed risk assessments before taking children on outings, to ensure they are kept safe on trips out in the community. She ensures her home is safe and secure and that children are always supervised closely.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 224375 Local authority Stoke-on-Trent Inspection number 10115944 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 9 Date of previous inspection 12 August 2015

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 1997 and lives in Dresden, Stoke-on-Trent. She operates all year round from 7.30am to 5.30pm, Tuesday to Friday, except for bank holidays and family holidays. On Monday, she only provides before- and after- school care. The childminder has a relevant childcare qualification at level 3.

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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 childminder. n A learning walk was completed with the childminder to discuss the curriculum intent and how the provision is organised. n The childminder and the inspector carried out a joint observation of a sensory- based activity outdoors. n The inspector sampled written feedback from parents. n The inspector reviewed a range of documentation, including policies and procedures, certificates and the suitability checks of the childminder and other adults living in the home.

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Inspection activities

3 March 2022 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

3 March 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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