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 are happy and settled in the childminder's care and enjoy their time with her. They move around freely and safely choosing toys for themselves. Children develop warm and trusting relationships with the childminder and her assistant. They cuddle up with them affectionately and settle well at rest times. Children behave very well. The childminder has high expectations of their behaviour and provides gentle and consistent messages that help them learn how to share, take turns and play respectfully together.

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The provision is good

The childminder provides a balanced curriculum of activities to support children's learning. This includes activities in the local community, such as attending fetes and exploring the natural environment to learn about the world. Children find their favourite activities and engage for long periods in play. They create imaginative games and stories using play people to pretend to put out fires, repair cars and fly helicopters. The childminder and her assistant join in to enhance their ideas and learning.

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The provision is good

The childminder has maintained some of the positive practice she introduced to help keep children and families safe throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. For example, she continues to restrict visitors coming into the house and follows thorough cleaning routines to promote good health.

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need to do better?

n The childminder and her assistant know the children well. They monitor their development and interests effectively to identify next steps for learning which they support through the activities children choose. This helps to ensure children are interested, motivated to join in and make good progress. n Partnerships with parents and other settings children attend are good. The childminder works effectively with parents to understand and meet children's needs from the start. She exchanges information with parents and the other practitioners to inform her assessments and to promote children's development consistently. n The quality of teaching is good overall. The childminder and her assistant join in activities with enthusiasm and provide some challenges to build on what children know and can do. For example, they encourage children to count in their play and use mathematical language to help them learn about quantity.

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need to do better?

n The childminder helps prepare children for their transition to school. Children develop positive attitudes and social skills. They benefit from attending school events to become familiar with the environment. On occasions, however, the childminder does not encourage children to manage some tasks for themselves to develop their independence further. For example, she washes children's

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need to do better?

20 July 2022 hands for them and solves some practical problems before children can manage these themselves. n The childminder encourages older children's communication and language skills effectively. Adults ask children questions and introduce new words, such as 'sea lion' when they explore books together. However, on occasions they do not allow younger children time to think and answer questions to support their language skills further. n Children's literacy is promoted well. The childminder provides story and educational books which children enjoy sitting to read together. They develop their early handwriting skills, such as making marks with chalks on the patio and learn to recognise their name labels when they arrive. n The childminder supports children's healthy lifestyles. Children bring in healthy foods which they eat together at the table and learn about good personal hygiene. They benefit from regular activities to encourage their physical skills.

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need to do better?

For example, children choose when they play outside, where they can climb, ride wheeled toys and use utensils in the play kitchen. n The childminder evaluates the quality of her provision successfully. She identifies and makes ongoing improvements to children's care and updates her knowledge and skills, such as through training events. The childminder encourages parents to share their views. They provide extremely positive feedback. For example, they know their children are safe, happy and well-cared for and the childminder and her assistant are good at communicating and encourage kindness and compassion.

p.3

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

p.3

Safeguarding

The childminder has a good understanding of her safeguarding role and responsibilities. She knows the correct procedures to follow in the event of a concern about a child's welfare. The childminder and her assistant complete training to help them understand safeguarding risks and issues and to keep up to date with guidance. The childminder maintains secure play areas for children and helps them to learn how to keep themselves safe, such as on walks by a road. The childminder ensures her assistant completes regular training and understands her policies and procedures. This helps to ensure consistently good care for children.

p.3

should:

n allow younger children time to think and respond to questions to strengthen their communication and language skills further n encourage children to manage more tasks for themselves to develop their independence and problem-solving skills.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 142301 Local authority Somerset Inspection number 10220863 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 12 Number of children on roll 13 Date of previous inspection 21 September 2016

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 1992. She lives in Wells, Somerset and employs her daughter as her assistant. They both hold an early years qualification at level 3. The childminder offers care from 8am to 5pm, Monday to Friday. She receives funding to provide free early education for children aged two, three and four-years old.

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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 setting. n The childminder completed a learning walk around her home and explained how she meets children's needs and delivers the curriculum. n The inspector observed activities and the quality of the childminder and her assistant's interactions with the children. n The inspector sampled the childminder's documentation and discussed her knowledge of the requirements of the early years foundation stage. n The inspector took account of parents' views.

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Inspection activities

20 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.

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Inspection activities

20 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.

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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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