Childminder in Devon

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

Children are settled and happy in the care of the childminder and her assistants, where a 'Steiner' inspired approach is used to develop the curriculum. The childminder is very warm and emphasises the importance of developing close relationships with families. Parents feed back that the setting provides a 'creative and nourishing' environment where they feel confident that their children are well cared for. The childminder makes exceptional use of routines to develop children's learning about being together in a group. They have special songs and hold hands round the table before children serve porridge to each other and they learn to help each other tidy up before snack times. The childminder provides regular events and celebrations for the children and their families to enjoy together, such as a family picnic at the end of term. The childminder encourages children to develop creative skills and staff support children as they join in with imaginative games. For

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The provision is good

example, children choose resources and play together with their friends with a collection of soft toy rabbits in a small tent. Staff are responsive, listening to children's ideas and cuddling younger children when they become worried by the thunder rumbling outside.

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need to do better?

n The childminder is well organised and keeps up to date with training. She uses policies and risk assessments well to support her practice and works with assistants, who help her on a regular basis. The childminder leads the practice by modelling her approach and providing guidance for her assistants, who work well together as a team. For example, children and staff gather together to sing songs and the children develop physically as they move and practise action songs with their hands. Whilst the childminder has a very clear vision about what teaching and learning is being provided and shares this with her assistants, they are sometimes less confident in their own understanding of the curriculum and how to extend children's learning even further. n The childminder builds relationships with children and their families. She communicates with parents about children's progress as they are dropped off and collected from the setting and through regular electronic messages. Parents

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need to do better?

feed back that they value the information the childminder shares with them about children's learning. They comment that children are happy and look forward to attending the setting and come home singing the songs they have learned. n The childminder and her assistants help to develop children's communication and language skills effectively. They listen carefully to children, respond and develop conversations and introduce new words and ideas. Younger children enjoy stirring a pot of play food as they talk about making lunch and older children develop mathematically as they count fir cones and lay blankets out in

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need to do better?

19 July 2022 rainbow patterns. Staff all read to children during the morning and the children cuddle round together as they listen. The childminder gathers the children under a tree in the garden to retell the story of 'Goldilocks and the 3 bears'. While younger children enjoy handling the wooden animals, older children join in and recall the story. n The childminder supports children to begin to learn about how everyone is unique and to appreciate differences. She introduces children to learning about various languages people speak, as children join in with counting together. They learn to be healthy as they wash their hands and wipe their faces clean after eating snacks and staff help children to remember to drink water to stay cool in the warm weather. n The childminder helps children to learn to share and cooperate, reminding them to use 'gentle-hands'. She praises and reassures children as they learn to play

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need to do better?

together. They are proud of learning new skills, such as how to carefully fold up colourful cloths and blankets that they have been playing with. Some of the children play together in a small group, gathering chairs to make a play train and talking excitedly about the tickets and their journey. Staff join in and support children with additional resources. On occasions, some of the assistants are less assured in supporting the children's personal and social development; when children are upset or frustrated, staff are less confident in how they should help the children to learn to manage their feelings.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The childminder ensures that she keeps up to date with safeguarding training and as a result has a secure knowledge of how to keep children safe. She provides information for her assistants, in order that they are informed. She has a good understanding of children's welfare and understands how to identify any signs that children could be at risk of harm. She considers how to keep children safe in her home and carefully risks assesses to ensure her practice is safe. She holds appropriate policies and procedures and keeps careful records of any accidents children may experience and informs parents promptly.

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should:

n Develop stronger opportunities for staff to continue to improve their knowledge and understanding of the curriculum, in order to develop their practice further. n Improve staff confidence and skills in developing children's personal development, in order to help all children to learn to manage their feelings and emotions.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 2572000 Local authority Devon Inspection number 10239258 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 12 Number of children on roll 9 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2020 and lives in Totnes. She offers care from 8.30am to 1pm on weekdays, Mondays to Thursday during term time. The setting is called Elderflower Kindergarten and is inspired by a Steiner approach. The childminder, who has an Early Years Steiner Educator qualification at Level 7, cares for children from two to five years and is in receipt of funding for children aged three and four years. She works with up to two assistants at a time, one of whom has a childcare qualification at level 3.

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Inspection activities

n This was the first routine inspection the provider received since the COVID-19 pandemic began. Inspectors discussed the impact of the pandemic with the provider and have taken that into account in their evaluation of the provider. n The childminder and the inspector observed some of the children as they played and discussed their learning. n The inspector spoke with the children as they played together. n The inspector spoke to parents and took account of their feedback. n The inspector spoke with the assistants and discussed their roles. n The inspector scrutinised some documentation, including training certificates, risk assessments and staff suitability checks.

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Inspection activities

19 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

19 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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