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 settled and relish the time that they spend with the childminder. The children have clearly formed very strong bonds with the childminder, chatting easily with her, telling her their news. Later, when they need a bit of reassurance, they confidently climb onto her lap for a cuddle.

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The provision is outstanding

Children are given a rich set of experiences in their learning, both in the childminder's home and within the wider local community. They learn to care for pet rabbits and visit the allotment, where they get to feed the chickens and learn about planting and growing. Children visit the library and stop for a snack locally, at what they call the 'toast cafe'. They have opportunities to build relationships with larger groups of children when they attend a local toddler group. Children are learning important independence skills, which they practise each day. They adeptly wipe their faces with a flannel before putting this in the laundry basket once they have finished. They have a go at putting on their boots and can pour their own drinks. Older children demonstrate that they can cut up vegetables safely, using a knife.

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The provision is outstanding

Children's behaviour is excellent. They know and understand how to behave as the childminder is a strong role model and helps the children to regulate their own behaviour. Children say 'please' and 'thank you' to the childminder and to each other. They have a can-do approach. Even toddlers show high levels of resilience, saying 'up a doody' to themselves as they pick themselves up after toppling off a ride-on toy and resume playing.

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need to do better?

n The childminder demonstrates energy and enthusiasm in her role. She is well qualified and continues to participate in a broad range of training, in order to further enhance her knowledge. For example, during the COVID-19 pandemic, the childminder completed training on supporting children's mental health and well-being and how best to ignite children's natural curiosity to explore the world around them. She has used what she learned to enrich learning experiences for the children. n The childminder is very well organised and, as a result, children of differing ages remain engaged and interested throughout their time with her. She carefully plans learning experiences to capture all of the children's interests, building on what they already know and can do. She skilfully adapts activities to challenge and give more responsibility to older children, while maintaining the interest of the younger ones. For example, when making play dough, she talks with older

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need to do better?

children about the ingredients and helps them to gauge how many cups of flour they need. Meanwhile, she sprinkles flour on the table for younger children to

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need to do better?

23 March 2022 explore with their fingers, before they later prod and squeeze the warm, newly made dough. n Children hear and use an extensive range of vocabulary. The childminder consistently models language, supporting correct pronunciation when very young children talk about the vegetable 'mato' and the colour 'lellow'. Older children know the meaning of, and use complex words such as, 'commotion'. Children remember and recall events well. They talk about events in the past when they made teacakes, adding raisins and baking powder. When singing a familiar song about a black sheep, children giggle as they improvise, changing the characters to include chicks, which they had previously been playing with at the spring interest table. n Children show exceptionally high levels of concentration as they explore books, knowing how to turn the pages to find out what happens next. They practise balancing, as they negotiate a low-level branch in the garden and make patterns

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need to do better?

with chalks. They count with confidence, as they use spoons to move sand onto plates and into cups, when pretending to make pancakes and ginger tea for each other. n The childminder provides children with a range of healthy meals and snacks. She adapts her menus accordingly for children with special dietary requirements, such as veganism. She provides children who are reluctant to try certain foods with encouragement. They learn the importance of recycling as the childminder places a high priority on sustainability and caring for the planet. n Parents are extremely complimentary and many are keen to share their views. They talk about the childminder as being an 'integral partner', nurturing their children in their formative years. They speak highly of the support that she provides for parents, as well as sensitive care and great learning experiences for their children. They are wholly appreciative to her for maintaining a sense of

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need to do better?

normality for the children during national restrictions due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The childminder has a secure knowledge and understanding of safeguarding. There are robust safeguarding policies and procedures in place. The childminder has attended mandatory training and also ensures that knowledge is up to date by completing additional short training courses. She can confidently identify signs and symptoms which may indicate a child is at risk of abuse. She understands her role and responsibility to safeguard children. She knows what to do and who to contact if she has concerns about a child or if there is an allegation against an adult. Children are taught to keep themselves safe. They know how to negotiate stairs and to look left and right when crossing the road.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY268571 Local authority Suffolk Inspection number 10113144 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 17 Date of previous inspection 2 July 2015

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2003 and lives in Ipswich. She operates all year round, from 7.30am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, except for bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder holds a childcare qualification at level 4. She provides funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children.

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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 provider and has taken that into account in their evaluation of the childminder. n The childminder showed the inspector the areas of the home that children access. They discussed how the childminder organises her setting and plans the curriculum and experiences for children. n The inspector observed the quality of teaching during activities indoors and outdoors, and assessed the impact this has on children's learning. n The childminder and the inspector completed a joint evaluation of an activity. n The inspector held a number of discussions with the childminder. She looked at a sample of relevant documentation, including evidence of qualifications and suitability of persons living in the household. n The inspector spoke to children during the inspection.

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Inspection activities

n The inspector spoke with a sample of parents and also took account of views of other parents who had provided 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

23 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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