Childminder in Suffolk

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

The childminder clearly enjoys her role and, along with her assistants, shows care, respect and affection to all children. They provide a safe and welcoming environment. Children make strong emotional attachments and demonstrate that they feel secure in the care of the childminder and her assistants. Younger children climb onto the childminder's lap to look at board books and reach to hold an assistant's hand for reassurance when outside.

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The provision is good

Children enjoy spending time outdoors. They have lots of opportunities to be physically active. Children push themselves along on ride-on toys, explore sand, water and play dough, and make marks with chalks on the large blackboard. The childminder also makes full use of local facilities, such as parks, to further support children's health and well-being. Children are familiar with the daily routines. They have a go at putting toys away when asked and use age-appropriate knives to practise cutting their banana at snack time, showing delight when they do so. Children are encouraged to clean their face after eating and practise brushing their teeth, using hand-held mirrors to check what they have done. During a singing session, children of all ages are fully engaged as they explore musical instruments and coloured scarves, and attempt to catch bubbles.

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need to do better?

n The childminder ensures that resources, indoors and outside, are easily accessible, which allows children to make choices in their play. Children are active learners. They generally show a keen interest in adult-led activities and are encouraged to 'have a go'. However, at times, younger children are not offered the same learning experiences as the older ones. The childminder and her assistants do not always consider how to interest and involve all children in activities. This means that some children are not consistently engaged in meaningful learning. n The childminder has built strong partnerships with parents. Parents speak highly of the childminder and the progress their children have made since attending. Some parents share that they have already booked their next child in to attend, when they are old enough. n The childminder ensures that children's individual routines and care arrangements from home are closely followed. She pays close attention to their

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need to do better?

needs. For example, the childminder notices when children are becoming tired and responds promptly. Children are at ease when they have their nappy changed and swiftly settle down to sleep in their cot. n Parents share information about their child when they first start at the setting. The childminder supports children's progress and builds on what they know and can do. She uses 'focus activity weeks' to gain further information from parents

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need to do better?

4 May 2022 about what children are learning at home. However, the childminder has not fully introduced ways of consistently involving all parents in their children's ongoing learning. n All children, including those who are learning to speak English as an additional language, have opportunities to build on their communication skills. The childminder provides a language-rich environment, which includes introducing children to a broad range of books, songs and rhymes. The childminder and assistants speak clearly to children and provide a commentary about what they are doing. As a result, children's speech and language skills are developing well. n The childminder effectively tracks children's progress. She is swift to identify children who are at risk of falling behind. She engages well with parents and works with other professionals to ensure that gaps in learning are reduced. n The childminder and her assistants have a good knowledge of how to promote

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need to do better?

children's positive behaviour. They encourage older children to help set up activities and praise all children regularly. Children learn to share and take turns with popular toys and resources. n The childminder is experienced and well qualified. She completes mandatory training and continues to attend further courses to enhance her knowledge and practice. The childminder, together with her assistants, regularly evaluates the provision. They share what they know about the children. The childminder provides question and answer cards to ensure that the assistants keep their knowledge up to date.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The childminder is committed to keeping children safe. The childminder and assistants understand their duty to protect children, including the action they must take to report concerns about children's welfare to relevant agencies. They complete child protection training to ensure their knowledge is up to date. The childminder carries out effective risk assessments to help ensure her premises are safe. She considers safety at all times and children are supervised to take safe risks. For example, when on outings, children always stay within sight of the childminder, or her assistant, and are aware of boundaries.

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should:

n enhance the learning opportunities for the youngest children so that they maintain the same high levels of engagement and involvement as the older children n strengthen parents' involvement in children's learning so that they consistently share what children learn at home to help support children's ongoing progress.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 2587895 Local authority Suffolk Inspection number 10238366 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 9 Number of children on roll 18 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2020 and lives in Red Lodge, Suffolk. She provides care from 8am until 6pm, Monday to Thursday, except for bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder holds a relevant level 5 qualification and works with two assistants. 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 premises and discussed how they ensure it is safe and suitable. n The childminder spoke to the inspector about their intentions for children's learning. n The inspector observed the quality of education being provided, indoors and outdoors, and assessed the impact that this has on children's learning. n The inspector spoke to several parents during the inspection and took account of their views. n The childminder and the inspector jointly observed and evaluated a group activity. n The inspector looked at relevant documentation and reviewed evidence of the suitability of household members and adults working in the setting.

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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

4 May 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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