Bess, Megan May

Overall effectiveness Outstanding

The quality of education Outstanding Behaviour and attitudes Outstanding Personal development Outstanding Leadership and management Outstanding Overall effectiveness at previous inspection Not applicable

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The provision is outstanding

Children thrive with the exceptionally dedicated childminder. They settle quickly and choose their activities with excitement and enthusiasm. All children show that they feel secure in the safe home-from-home setting. Children are confident around visitors, knowing the childminder is close by if needed. This demonstrates how settled children are in the setting.

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The provision is outstanding

Children's behaviour is excellent. The childminder is particularly skilled at supporting children to develop crucial social skills. She plays alongside children and offers them effective methods and reminders during play, to encourage children to take turns with popular toys. Children demonstrate a sense of respect for each other and are successfully learning to share.

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The provision is outstanding

The childminder plans a highly effective curriculum. Children demonstrate delight and interest as they engage in activities that help challenge their learning and development. They focus and concentrate for long periods during discussions and activities. Children of all ages have numerous opportunities to explore textures and be creative through planned and spontaneous activities. For example, they feel the different textures of wet and dry porridge and feel the temperature of ice and warm water.

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The provision is outstanding

Children have fabulous opportunities to learn about the natural world and caring for living things. For example, they regularly visit the childminder's stables where they care for the ponies. Children burst with enthusiasm as they tell the inspector about how they groom the ponies and make their feeds.

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need to do better?

n Parents are exceptionally happy with the high-quality care and education their children receive with the childminder. They say that they are continually updated with information about their children's activities and are given support and ideas for home learning activities. For example, the childminder prepares resources and activity packs for children to do during the school holidays. Parent partnerships are extremely strong. n The childminder regularly evaluates children's progress. This enables her to form a well-sequenced plan of rich learning experiences which are tailored to each child's needs. The childminder promptly narrows any emerging gaps in children's development. This promotes the best possible learning outcomes for children and ensures they are ready for school when the time comes. n An abundance of annotated artwork, photos and displays provides children with opportunities to proudly recall their experiences and reflect on their learning

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need to do better?

together. For example, young children are eager to point out their friends in the

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need to do better?

25 May 2022 displays and talk animatedly about what they are doing in the pictures. The childminder's skilful and carefully paced questioning during activities provides children with time to think, explore new ideas and respond. n Children love to sing and join in with their favourite action songs and rhymes. For example, they enthusiastically sing a handwashing song and are very good at remembering to wash their hands before handling food. This is because consistent hygiene practices are embedded securely in practice. n The childminder is committed to delivering the best possible outcomes for children in her care. She attends regular training to continually develop her skills and knowledge. For example, she is due to complete a sign language course for early years children. Additionally, she routinely reviews her provision and collects feedback from parents. n The childminder provides children with a wide range of interactive experiences,

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need to do better?

to continually build on their understanding of their local community. They explore the local area and visit farms, gardens and parks to enhance their understanding of the world. n During the COVID-19 pandemic, the childminder maintained contact with families. She provided them with resources to extend their children's learning at home, to ensure that they did not fall behind. n The childminder prides herself on the homely care she provides. Children sit together to eat healthy and nutritious food, while immersed in conversation. The childminder models good manners, such as using please and thank you. All children are extremely courteous towards one another and the childminder. The childminder is incredibly calm, positive and encourages children at all times. n Children receive exceptional support to develop their understanding of mathematics and mathematical concepts. For example, they use scales to weigh

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need to do better?

porridge as the childminder expertly enables them to learn about quantities, weights and measures. Children add and subtract grams of ingredients using spoons, until the scales display the desired quantities.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The childminder has a highly comprehensive understanding of safeguarding and child protection issues. She implements robust policies and procedures, sharing these fully with parents. The childminder is fully aware of her responsibilities and can reliably identify the signs and symptoms which might cause her concern about children's welfare. She refers to relevant guidance and literature and reviews her policies and procedures yearly. This enables her to maintain the highest of standards. The childminder is vigilant in maintaining a safe environment. She confirms the identity of visitors to her home and ensures mobile phones are locked away from where children play. This helps to reduce any possible risk to children from technology and ensures that they can play and learn in an environment which is safe.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 2499945 Local authority Buckinghamshire Inspection number 10191419 Type of provision Childminder

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Registers

Early Years Register, Compulsory 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 2018. She lives in Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire. The childminder offers care Monday to Friday, 7.30am until 6pm, term time only. The childminder holds a relevant level 3 early years qualification. She provides funded early education for three-year-old children.

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Inspection activities

n This was the first routine inspection the provider 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 provider. n The childminder and the inspector completed a learning walk together of all the areas of the setting. The childminder discussed the curriculum and what she wants the children to learn and why. n The inspector spoke to parents of the children currently attending. She took account of all views. n The inspector observed the quality of education being provided indoors and outdoors and, assessed the impact this was having on children's learning. n The inspector carried out a joint observation of a group activity with the childminder.

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Inspection activities

25 May 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

25 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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