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 Good

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The provision is good

Children have secure, trusting relationships and strong bonds with the childminder. She has a caring and friendly manner. Young children really enjoy her company and are happy in her home. They listen respectfully to the childminder and adapt their actions and behaviour well, as she gives them reminders about safe practices.

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The provision is good

The childminder focuses closely on developing children's skills. She knows the children and their interests and capabilities well. Young children eagerly investigate. The childminder plays and explores alongside them, nurturing their curiosity. She encourages and praises them, and skilfully gives them time to try new ideas and skills. Babies experiment with musical toys and instruments and excitedly copy her actions. They successfully remember these actions later as they revisit the items. They smile proudly and clap their hands excitedly at their success. Children make good progress and develop positive attitudes to learning that give them a good start for their future. Parents comment that their children have come on in leaps and bounds with the childminder. They are particularly thankful for the opportunities she provides in the local community, offering children experiences they missed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. For example, children visit play-based

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The provision is good

groups and indoor play areas with the childminder, to develop their physical skills and confidence in different social situations.

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need to do better?

n The childminder uses her observations of children as they play to assess their development. She understands what children need to learn next and focuses on how she will help them achieve this. The childminder develops a regular two- way flow of information with parents. She ensures that they are well informed, through regular in-depth daily chats and messages. They work together to provide a beneficial collaborative approach to the support children receive. n The childminder is experienced and knows how children learn. Her good teaching and effective role modelling offer children new ideas and words to help to develop their language and skills. Babies listen and show their understanding as they respond to questions and follow instructions. They point and babble excitedly, communicating to the childminder about things they want. The childminder's targeted support for young children's speech consistently provides

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need to do better?

them with clear words and simple phrases that babies can understand and copy. n Young children develop their dexterity and coordination well. Babies persevere to manoeuvre items to fit inside and through openings. They hold chunky chalks effectively to make marks. They use utensils and tools effectively, as they play imaginatively mixing and serving meals with the childminder. They press buttons and learn the effect these create, repeating their actions to create the desired effect.

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need to do better?

21 March 2022 n The childminder is attentive to young children's needs, conscientiously following their individual care routines and supporting their well-being effectively. She liaises with parents to support children's healthy lifestyles. Young children enjoy healthy meals and drinking water. They learn to keep their bodies clean and healthy, regularly washing their hands, and cleaning their teeth with the childminder after breakfast. Young children enjoy being active in the fresh air. They use the little slide and other equipment in the childminder's garden and visit nearby parks. n The childminder thinks through the support and activities she offers children, linking these to their interests and motivating them well. However, she has not consistently focused on expanding young children's involvement and confidence in new experiences, particularly to explore messy materials and experiment with their senses. She has recently outlined some gaps in this area herself and has

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need to do better?

started to consider ways to develop her support for this further. n The childminder shows dedication to the children and families in her care. She has memberships with professional associations and undertakes training to keep her knowledge up to date. She links with other childminders to gain good practice ideas and to continue to develop her provision. She has enhanced her practice to fulfil the recommendations from the last inspection. She has enhanced the balance of activities across all areas of learning, including to ensure she supports children's knowledge of other cultures and extends their early literacy skills.

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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. She refreshes her knowledge of safeguarding through regular training and uses this information to review and update her procedures. The childminder ensures her home is clean and well maintained, and that children can play and explore safely. She uses equipment such as safety gates and barriers to limit young children's access to higher risk areas both inside her home and out in her garden. The childminder attentively supports young children as they explore and practise their growing physical skills, while still ensuring they remain safe.

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should:

n expand children's confidence and involvement in new experiences, particularly to explore, investigate and experiment using their senses.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 142635 Local authority Somerset Inspection number 10065846 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 24 May 2016

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 1995 and lives in Yeovil, Somerset. She operates all year round from 7am to 5pm, Monday to Thursday, except for bank holidays and family holidays.

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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 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 letters and email messages. n Relevant documentation was reviewed by the inspector, including suitability checks and paediatric first-aid qualifications. The childminder discussed her procedures for safeguarding the children.

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Inspection activities

21 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

21 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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