Childminder in Plymouth

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

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The provision is outstanding

Children are very secure and happy as the childminder deeply cares for them. She provides excellent resources and opportunities for children to explore and learn. Children are highly motivated to learn and practise new skills. They choose what they want to play with and are fascinated and focused for long periods. The childminder expertly extends children's knowledge and thinking. She uses lots of challenging open-ended questions. For example, three-year-olds are playing with cars on a town floor mat and the childminder encourages them to consider what cars have to do at railway crossings. The children recall that car drivers need to check there are no trains coming before they can safely cross the track. All children, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), make excellent progress in all areas of learning. This is because the childminder has a highly ambitious curriculum. She uses her professional knowledge to carefully

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The provision is outstanding

Children are incredibly polite and say, 'excuse me', 'please' and 'thank you' when they need things. They have a clear understanding of expectations. For example, children help to tidy away each activity before they get the next one out. Children show high levels of fascination and concentrate for long periods on activities. This is because they feel safe and cared for.

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need to do better?

n The childminder is incredibly reflective and motivated. She aims to deliver the highest education for children that she can. She attends numerous training workshops and uses the knowledge gained to reflect and adapt her practice. The childminder has recently changed her planning to follow the children's interests rather than delivering a prescribed curriculum. She uses her expert knowledge to assess the children and ensure they make rapid progress in all areas of learning. Children now engage in learning in an even more meaningful and enjoyable way. n The childminder is very ambitious for children to have as many rich and meaningful experiences as possible in their time with her. She takes them on regular outings to parks, toddler groups, aquariums and farms. Children learn the names of different animals and sea creatures. They develop an understanding of why looking after the world is important. Later, they play in the

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need to do better?

garden with water and toy sea creatures, creating stories reflecting on what they have learned. n Children enjoy stories and reading with the childminder. She regularly takes them to the local library to borrow books to share at home. Pre-school children develop excellent early literacy skills. They are beginning to recognise letters from their names and other familiar words. Children have many opportunities to

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need to do better?

31 August 2022 develop their early mark-making skills. They access chalks, pens, pencils, water and brushes. n The childminder skilfully interweaves numbers and counting skills throughout the day. She provides exciting activities for children to explore space and measuring. For example, children explore water in the garden. They find different-sized containers to fill up. The childminder skilfully asks which container holds the most water. She helps the children find ways to measure this. The children thoroughly enjoy guessing the answer and testing their ideas. n Parents feedback is incredibly positive. Parents comment on how supportive the childminder is to them. She offers advice and support with their children in the setting and at home. They also share how much progress their children have made, especially those children with SEND. Parents share how their children talk about the trips they have been on and what they have learned.

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need to do better?

n The childminder ensures that all children are very settled and happy when they start. She spends time getting to know the families and offers a brilliant settling- in process. She talks to children about their feelings and helps them to become confident to express their needs. Children develop excellent self-help skills. For example, the childminder encourages them to have a go at putting on dressing- up clothes. She helps children be ready for school by independently getting dressed and using the toilet. n The childminder works extremely well with outside agencies to support children. For example, she liaises with the local authority early years adviser for advice on the health care needs of children. She effectively shares each child's achievements and next steps with other settings they attend. This is to ensure children continue to make rapid progress with their learning.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The childminder regularly attends safeguarding training and is incredibly knowledgeable about the different categories of child abuse, including the 'Prevent' duty and county lines. She can confidently and professionally identify potential indicators of harm to children. The childminder has a robust safeguarding policy with all contact numbers and referral agencies listed if she has concerns about a child. The childminder regularly assesses her home and other places she visits to ensure the safety of all children in her care. The childminder ensures all suitability checks are carried out for herself and her husband.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 117447 Local authority Plymouth Inspection number 10234096 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 6 Number of children on roll 7 Date of previous inspection 6 March 2017

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 1994 and lives in Eggbuckland, Plymouth. She operates 7.30am to 5pm, Monday to Thursday, all year. She receives government early years funding for two-, three- and four-year-old children. The childminder has a relevant level 4 early years qualification.

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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 provider. 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 interactions between the childminder and children. n The childminder and the inspector discussed how the curriculum had been implemented and the impact this was having on children's learning. n Parents shared their views of the setting with the inspector. n The childminder provided the inspector with a sample of key documentation on request.

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Inspection activities

31 August 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

31 August 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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