Childminder in Gloucestershire

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 thrive and make excellent progress at this setting. They are highly confident to explore their surroundings and benefit from a range of high-quality learning experiences. The childminder is extremely attentive in meeting children's individual learning and care needs.

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The provision is outstanding

Children show a keen interest in early literacy and the childminder knows how to stretch and challenge all children, especially those who are exceeding in their development. For example, older children learn to recognise letters and make links to letter sounds when exploring storybooks.

p.2

The provision is outstanding

Children thoroughly enjoy outdoor play and exploring the natural environment. The childminder encourages children to manage risks in their play to further enrich their learning experience. For example, children watch as the childminder demonstrates how to cut the pumpkin using a knife. Children then have a go at carving the pumpkin and confidently use a safety knife, as well as a hammer and nails to open the pumpkins.

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The provision is outstanding

The childminder is kind and caring and children build a strong bond with her. The childminder is a highly effective role model and she always adopts a fair approach in managing children's behaviour. For example, when children have a minor dispute about sharing a large whiteboard, she teaches them how to resolve the conflict by suggesting they draw a line in the middle of the board, so they can share. This quickly resolves the issue and children learn to respect each other's space and boundaries.

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need to do better?

n The childminder demonstrates a strong understanding of child development and the areas of learning. She uses her extensive knowledge of early years education to design and deliver a highly effective curriculum. As a result, children acquire a range of skills, in readiness for their next stage of learning. n The childminder demonstrates strong teaching skills. She knows how to engage in meaningful discussions to promote children's speech and language as well as problem-solving skills. For example, she skilfully uses open-ended questions to encourage children to think about how they can measure the 'girth' of the pumpkin. Children have a go at using a measuring tape that they place all the way around the pumpkin, while the childminder supports them to do this from the widest point. The childminder follows children's interests and respects their ideas. For example, she listens to children's suggestions when they request to

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need to do better?

take the pumpkin seeds home to show their families and to plant them. n Children have excellent opportunities to develop their early mathematical skills.

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need to do better?

1 November 2022 The childminder successfully teaches older children to count, measure, order objects by size as well as write and recognise numbers. For instance, children learn to order pumpkins according to their size. They start by placing the smaller one in a line followed by the next size. Children then proceed to count them out aloud from one to 14. Children learn to recognise numbers on the measuring tape and have a go at writing these down on a whiteboard. The childminder introduces mathematical language, such as 'metres' and 'centimetres' and teaches children to recognise numerals. n The childminder knows how to promote children's understanding of other people, families and communities beyond their own. Children thoroughly enjoy learning about other cultures and take part in celebrations, such as Diwali. Furthermore, the childminder helps children to make connections to their own lives and often discusses their family holidays, including different cultures,

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need to do better?

languages and foods they have experienced. The childminder teaches children to respect differences and successfully challenges stereotypical behaviour. n Parents are highly complimentary about the care their children receive and comment that they would 'wholeheartedly recommend her to anyone'. Parents are extremely pleased with the regular communication as well as the high- quality teaching and learning their children experience at the setting. Parents state that they 'cannot speak more highly of her' and comment about the 'amazing outdoor play area' she provides for their children. n The childminder is highly ambitious and reflective of her practice. She has successfully addressed the recommendation from her previous inspection and has done lots of research to improve her outdoor provision. As a result, she has created play areas, including a mud kitchen, which is waterproof and secure so children can access it all-year round. Furthermore, she has listened to children's

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need to do better?

interests and invested in a hammock, known as the 'rainbow swing'. Children enjoy relaxing in the hammock as they gently move in a swaying motion, while showing they feel happy and secure.

p.3

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

p.3

Safeguarding

The childminder demonstrates a robust understanding of the signs that may indicate a child is at risk of abuse and neglect. She attends regular online training to keep her safeguarding knowledge up to date. The childminder is knowledgeable about the process for reporting any welfare concerns to the relevant authorities, such as unexplained bruises on non-mobile babies. She has a secure understanding of her safeguarding policy and procedures, including how to report any allegations made against her or a household member. She undertakes thorough daily checks to ensure her house is safe, secure and free from any hazards.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY456744 Local authority Gloucestershire Inspection number 10236029 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 13 Date of previous inspection 2 November 2016

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2013. She lives in Cheltenham, Gloucestershire with her husband who is registered as her assistant, although he does not currently work with her. The childminder offers care on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, before and after school, and during school holidays from 7.45am until 5.30pm. The childminder has previously worked as a doctor of clinical psychology and holds a relevant degree in this field.

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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 provider and has taken that into account in their evaluation of the provider. n The inspector observed the quality of education being provided, indoors and outdoors, and assessed the impact that this was having on children's learning. n The inspector carried out a joint observation of a group activity with the childminder. n The childminder provided the inspector with a sample of key documentation on request. n Parents shared their views of the setting with the inspector. n The childminder showed the inspector the premises and discussed how they ensure it is safe and suitable.

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Inspection activities

1 November 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

1 November 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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