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

Babies and children develop secure relationships with the childminder. She is very caring and friendly. Young children settle quickly and are happy in the childminder's home. When babies become upset, the childminder quickly reassures them with a cuddle. She knows their routines. She recognises when children are hungry or tired and quickly provides for their needs. Young children show confident skills for their age and eagerly investigate activities. The childminder gets down to their level and plays alongside them as they explore a sensory farm activity. She encourages their curiosity and extends their imaginative play effectively. They spend time scraping and collecting cereal to feed to the toy cows and pigs. They carefully collect this in the scoop of the toy digger, showing good coordination and control for their age. Young children show confidence to try new things with the childminder's encouragement and support. They start to explore other messier

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The provision is good

parts of the activity and make marks with the toy tractor through the mud-coloured custard. The childminder conscientiously implements her plans and curriculum. She helps young children to develop positive attitudes to learning and progressing their skills. Young children are keen to help the childminder to cut up fruit for their snack and help clean up the toys from the messy play activity.

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need to do better?

n The childminder shows dedication to the children and families who use her provision. She evaluates the activities that she provides and how she can improve these further. She uses her memberships of professional organisations as well as useful childcare online forums and research sites to gain good practice ideas, which helps her to develop her practice and provision. n Children make good progress. The childminder uses her observations of children to assess their learning and gauge if they are working at expected levels. She outlines what they need to learn next and plans her curriculum and activities around this to help close any gaps in children's learning. n Overall, the childminder supports children's communication skills well. She develops their listening and understanding effectively. She is very chatty and eagerly gives children a running commentary during activities. However, at times, in her enthusiasm, the childminder's rapid extended discussion does not

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need to do better?

consistently help young children to hear key speech sounds and words, to develop their language as much as possible. n The childminder supports children's healthy lifestyles and inspires them to be active. Young children enjoy healthy snacks and drinking water. The childminder has added a covered area in her garden, where she sets up activities and offers young children and babies useful and beneficial access to the outdoors all year round. The childminder has an allotment garden that she uses for growing plants and produce with the children. She also accesses local nature areas and

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need to do better?

16 March 2022 undertakes woodland walks with the children, to develop their understanding of the natural world further. n The childminder works closely with parents from the outset. She obtains lots of information to build a clear picture of children's needs. She maintains a regular two-way flow of information with parents about children's care and learning. They are very complimentary about the childminder's support for their children. They say that the childminder spends so much time ensuring that children are all enriched, entertained and happy throughout the day. n The childminder thinks through the resources, support and activities she offers young children. She links these to their interests, which motivates them well. For example, she thoughtfully sets items out just at young children's height, which motivates them to explore these as they toddle about her lounge. They enjoy looking at books which are focused on tractors and diggers and persevere to

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need to do better?

turn the pages, marvelling at the pictures that they find. n Young children learn about boundaries in place for their own safety and the safety of the other children. They listen to the childminder's gentle reminders and adapt their actions and behaviour well. They become mindful of babies' needs and they start to share toys with their friends.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The childminder has a strong knowledge of child protection and effective procedures to support her practice. She keeps her knowledge of safeguarding up to date through regular training. This includes wider safeguarding issues, such as how young children and their families might be exposed to extreme views. The childminder ensures that her home is safe, clean and well maintained. She uses safety gates to limit babies' and young children's access to higher risk areas, such as the stairs and kitchen. She supports them sensitively as they eagerly explore, allowing them the freedom to toddle about and practise their growing physical skills while still ensuring that they remain safe.

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should:

n give young children consistent opportunities to hear clear speech sounds and words, to help their language develop as quickly as possible.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 2544298 Local authority Somerset Inspection number 10215480 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 5 Number of children on roll 7 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2019 and lives in Ilchester, near Yeovil. She operates all year round from 8am to 5.30pm, Monday to Friday, 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 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 setting. 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 the views of parents spoken to on the day and viewed their written comments in letters and emails. n Relevant documentation was reviewed by the inspector, including evidence of suitability checks and paediatric first-aid qualifications, and the childminder discussed her procedures for safeguarding the children.

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Inspection activities

16 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

16 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

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/ofsted

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