Walsh, Linnet

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

p.1

The provision is outstanding

Children are highly motivated and extremely eager to join in with the vast range of activities on offer. They concentrate on their chosen tasks for prolonged periods and demonstrate positive attitudes to their learning. Children behave exceptionally well and show genuine kindness and consideration towards others without being prompted. For example, an older child helps a younger child negotiate walking in adult shoes he has slid onto his feet. Older children invite their peers to join in with their games and readily share and cooperate. Throughout the day children can be heard confidently talking to the childminder and each other. Their laughter exemplifies the great fun and enjoyment they have while attending.

p.2

The provision is outstanding

Children have superb opportunities to be active in the fresh air and learn about nature and the wider world. For example, they go for forest walks, jump and splash in puddles and wade in streams. In the garden, children enthusiastically access exciting hands-on experiences, such as making mud ice cream cones, mixing lemon slices with flower petals and water to make citrus soup, and tending to their planted vegetables and fruit. During these times they also learn about foods that are healthy and nutritious. They explore insects that have moved into the bug house they have created. They relish fetching water, using their physical skills and control to tip it into a funnel and watch it pour through different lengths of pipe. Their early writing skills are actively developed through chalking and painting with mud and sticks.

p.2

need to do better?

n Since the last inspection, the childminder has redesigned and implemented an inspiring curriculum for children that is largely based on learning outdoors. She has carried out a vast amount of training and research to extend and embed her knowledge in this area. She expertly uses what she has learned to plan and provide a stimulating and challenging range of play and learning experiences for children, which results in them making exceptional progress. n The childminder is consistent in using excellent teaching skills and knows how to extend children's learning through high-quality interactions. For example, explaining and modelling strategies for starting with the outside pieces of a jigsaw puzzle. The childminder has superb oversight of children's current development stage and the progress they are making. She actively plans for what they need to learn next across all seven areas of learning. n The childminder places great emphasis on helping children to be happy, well-

p.2

need to do better?

settled, confident and independent, and highly prepared for starting nursery and school. She expertly weaves early mathematical learning and literacy into play and games. She communicates with children throughout the day and models new language to help them acquire new vocabulary. Children adore listening to

p.2

need to do better?

13 July 2022 stories and looking through books. The childminder builds on their learning from the stories they read and their problem-solving skills, for example, by introducing a fun pattern matching game with socks. n The childminder knows children and their families extremely well, seeing them as an extended part of her own family. She is highly driven to ensure that she provides the very best care and education for all children, and parents with any support they may need. For example, when children in her care were facing difficult times, she accessed bereavement training to ensure she could offer the highest level of practical and emotional support. n The childminder ensures highly successful methods of communication between herself, parents, and other early years providers. For example, meeting regularly to share information about children's progress, and to agree how to best prepare children for the transition to nursery or school. This fosters excellent continuity

p.2

need to do better?

for children. The childminder is extremely knowledgeable about the support available to children and families from external professionals and proactively shares information with parents. n Parent feedback is extremely positive and recognises the exceptional service the childminder provides to children. Parents comment on the outstanding range of activities that are provided, the exceptional progress their children make, and the wealth of information they receive about their children's care and education. n Children eat healthy and nutritious meals and snacks. The childminder gently encourages them to try new foods such as melon, and children confidently describe the texture and taste. When children first join the setting, the childminder works at the child's and family's pace to ensure children settle quickly. n Children relish spending time with the childminder's family, and benefit from her working with an assistant when needed. The childminder ensures that her

p.3

need to do better?

assistant fully understands her curriculum ethos and how to promote children's learning and development.

p.3

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

p.3

Safeguarding

The childminder has attended much safeguarding training and has a robust knowledge of the known indicators of abuse and of the action to take in the event of a concern about a child in her care. She ensures that her assistant also has a secure understanding by cascading training to him and regularly discussing best practice. The childminder has a comprehensive safeguarding file, along with a quick reference guide of factors that would cause concern about a child's safety and welfare. Robust risk assessment ensures that the premises remain safe, secure and suitable for childminding.

p.3

Setting details

Unique reference number EY102466 Local authority Worcestershire Inspection number 10116017 Type of provision Childminder

p.4

Registers

Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register Day care type Childminder

p.4

inspection

Total number of places 6 Number of children on roll 5 Date of previous inspection 28 October 2014

p.4

Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2002 and lives in Stourport-on-Severn, Worcestershire. The childminder occasionally works with an assistant and operates from 7.30am to 5pm Monday to Friday, except bank holidays and family holidays.

p.4

Inspection activities

n This was the first routine inspection the setting received since the COVID-19 pandemic began. The inspector discussed the impact of the pandemic with the childminder and took that into account in the evaluation of the setting. n The childminder showed the inspector around the setting and explained how she plans and implements the curriculum. n The inspector carried out a joint observation of an activity with the childminder. Together they evaluated the impact of the activity on children's learning. n The inspector spoke to children at appropriate times during the inspection and took the views of parents from written feedback. n The inspector looked at a selection of documentation and checked the suitability of persons living in the household.

p.4

Inspection activities

13 July 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.

p.4

Inspection activities

13 July 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.

p.5

Inspection activities

If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 1231, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk .

p.6

Inspection activities

You may reuse this information (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. To view this licence, visit www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/ , write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk

p.6

Inspection activities

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more information and updates: http://eepurl.com/iTrDn .

p.6

Inspection activities

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

p.6