Childminder in Somerset

Overall effectiveness Outstanding

The quality of education Outstanding Behaviour and attitudes Outstanding Personal development Outstanding Leadership and management Outstanding Overall effectiveness at previous inspection Good

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The provision is outstanding

Children are happy and emotionally very secure in the childminder's home. The childminder plans her environment exceptionally well so that children are inspired and motivated to learn. She skilfully uses her resources to help children to make links in their learning and recall previous knowledge. For example, after a trip to the train station, the childminder sets up a train track. Older children recall what they saw. They explore the magnets on the trains, and, through trial and error, they get them to join. The childminder explains how they repel or attract, which extends children's knowledge and vocabulary. Children embed their knowledge and skills as they play. For example, older children excitedly recall collecting the autumn items they found as they use them in the play dough. They recognise the letter and number cutters, and young children notice big and little fingerprints. Children are extremely confident and know where to find any additional resources

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The provision is outstanding

they need. For example, after commenting on an item being heavy, they dash off to fetch the scales to check. This ignites their curiosity and after predicting what might weigh more, they check if they are correct.

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The provision is outstanding

Parents are extremely happy with the childminder's practice. They comment highly positively on how the childminder is calm, professional and an excellent communicator. Parents confirm that their children are developing outstanding confidence and say that they find the childminder's support invaluable.

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need to do better?

n The childminder has a highly ambitious curriculum for all children, and she provides outstanding support for them to achieve the skills they need for school. For example, the childminder encourages children to be exceptionally independent, confident communicators who ask questions and listen to others. Children are willing and eager to have a go at new skills and are capable of forming positive relationships. n The childminder has an exceptional understanding of each child's developmental needs and how best to support their learning. She successfully questions children and enables them to voice their ideas and extend their thinking. For example, when children notice apples in a story, it prompts them to talk about growing apples at home and daddy picking them to make juice. The childminder skilfully engages other children in talking about the produce they grow, so children listen and respond to each other successfully.

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need to do better?

n All children impressively concentrate and engage fully when the childminder reads to them. Through her expert use of books, she challenges older children's knowledge about what an author and illustrator do and asks them to notice and understand punctuation, such as an exclamation mark. The childminder responds extremely well to children's non-verbal communication, such as babies

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need to do better?

29 September 2022 pointing, so that they remain engaged and feel valued. Later, they use the book independently. They turn the pages, laugh and babble to themselves. n Children's behaviour is exemplary. They learn how to resolve conflict and develop friendships exceptionally well. Older children understand that they need to be a positive role model for younger children, as they watch and copy them. The childminder provides excellent support for children to understand and manage their emotions and helps them to feel good about themselves. For example, she encourages children to remember what they did to make young children feel happy when they were sad to leave their parents. n The childminder is extremely proactive in working in partnership with parents and other providers children attend. For example, she attends settings to observe children and understand how they are in a different environment. The

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need to do better?

childminder helps with children's transitions and speaks to their key person. She ensures that any additional support is quickly in place to narrow any gaps and help children to catch up. n Children benefit from the childminder continually evaluating her practice and monitoring their engagement to ensure that she is providing the highest quality of care and educational opportunities for them. The highly enthusiastic childminder continues to seek ways to develop her own skills even further. For example, she meets with another outstanding childminder to share best practice and plan outings to benefit the children.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The childminder has an outstanding awareness of her responsibilities to protect and promote children's welfare. She keeps her knowledge up to date on all aspects of safeguarding children, so she has an excellent understanding of what to be aware of and the procedures to follow if she is concerned about a child. The childminder skilfully enables children to make sensible decisions about a safe and healthy lifestyle. For example, she encourages them to assess risks for themselves and become highly independent in managing their hygiene.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY454214 Local authority Somerset Inspection number 10235982 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 18 Date of previous inspection 3 October 2016

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2012 and lives in Cotford St Luke, near Taunton, Somerset. She provides care on a Monday for children before and after school only. On Tuesday to Friday, she provides care from 7.45am to 5.30pm, for 48 weeks of the year. The childminder provides funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children. She is a qualified primary school teacher.

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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 discussed her curriculum intent, and the inspector observed the interactions between the childminder and children to assess the quality of education. n The inspector spoke with the childminder at convenient times and assessed the effectiveness of safeguarding and care procedures. n The inspector and the childminder carried out a joint observation of children during a planned activity and discussed the impact on their development. n The inspector took account of parents' written feedback and spoke with the children and took account of their views.

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Inspection activities

29 September 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

29 September 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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