Childminder in Devon

Overall effectiveness Outstanding

The quality of education Outstanding Behaviour and attitudes Outstanding Personal development Outstanding Leadership and management Outstanding Overall effectiveness at previous inspection Not applicable

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The provision is outstanding

Children are happy and flourish in the care of this extremely knowledgeable childminder. They have formed exceptionally close relationships with her. The childminder knows the children and their families very well. Children show they feel safe and secure in the homely, child-centred environment. They are highly motivated to learn as they freely explore the stimulating activities.

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The provision is outstanding

Children's behaviour is exemplary. They treat each other with kindness, respect and are courteous, for instance saying 'Please may I have' when playing together. Children are developing special friendships. They tell their friends they 'love' them as they offer them a friendly hug. The childminder praises children highly and rewards children's achievements with stickers. Children show they feel special, valued and included.

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The provision is outstanding

The childminder has very high expectations for children's learning. All children are making excellent progress. The childminder's inspiring interactions with the children provide them with a language-rich environment. The childminder introduces new vocabulary as children play. She asks them questions to develop their critical thinking skills. For example, children express that their soft toys have hurt themselves. The childminder finds a toy medical kit and asks the children to think about how to help their toy feel better. Children investigate items in the kit such as the toy thermometer, bandage and stethoscope. They engage in discussions with the childminder as they work out how to use the items.

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need to do better?

n The skilful childminder tailors her curriculum exceptionally well to meet every child's needs. She plans activities based on children's interests, building on what they know and need to learn next. The childminder has an excellent understanding of how children learn. Children excitedly extend their learning further during play. For example, children use paintbrushes to make marks and paint shapes on paper. They develop their own ideas by finding toy cars, painting their wheels, and rolling them across the paper. This develops their hand-to-eye coordination in preparation for early writing skills. n The childminder is passionate about offering children opportunities to learn through exploratory play. She makes fantastic use of the outdoor environment. Children are thoroughly engaged in learning. For example, children collect water in test tubes from a water butt. They enthusiastically pour it into guttering,

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need to do better?

watching what happens as it flows down into the earth. The childminder introduces magnifying glasses as children play. Children become fascinated, magnifying different items they find. They discover a snail and the childminder talks about the snail needing air to breathe and food to eat. This sparks

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need to do better?

15 February 2023 children's curiosity; they quickly forage for leaves to give to the snail. Children develop a positive attitude to learning. They gain a deeper understanding of the world, nature and how to care for living things. n Children are becoming highly independent. The childminder consistently supports children to learn how to do tasks for themselves. For example, they prepare their own tortilla wraps at lunchtime. They make healthy choices as they choose their fillings. Children carefully grate cheese and use a knife to spread butter and slice cucumber. The children show a real sense of pride as they enjoy taking on these responsibilities. They develop their self-esteem which builds firm foundations for future learning. n The childminder offers children a rich set of learning experiences. Children help donate toys from the setting to charity and join in celebrations within the local community. They visit the local library and have opportunities to socialise with

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need to do better?

other children at a weekly 'messy' group. Children gain a strong understanding of people and the wider community. n The childminder's assessment procedures are highly effective. She monitors children's learning and progress thoroughly. This effectively enables her to identify any gaps in learning quickly. The childminder works closely with parents to put targeted support in place. She provides weekly activities for parents to complete with their children at home. Parents share progress updates with the childminder. This supports continuity of children's learning and development, narrowing any gaps swiftly. This promotes the best possible outcomes for children. n The childminder's dedication and determination to provide quality care and learning are admirable. She evaluates her teaching practice and meticulously sources further training that she completes. This strengthens her practice to the benefit of children who attend. The childminder forms an excellent two-way flow

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need to do better?

of information with parents, and she values feedback from them. Parents say she is 'very supportive' and how children have 'blossomed' and 'thrived' in her care. Children are making excellent progress from their starting points.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The childminder has a secure understanding of her role and responsibility to safeguard children. She has a thorough knowledge of how to identify the signs and symptoms that may indicate a child is at risk of harm or abuse. The childminder regularly completes training to keep her safeguarding knowledge up to date. This ensure that she precisely knows the procedures to follow for reporting concerns about a child's welfare. The childminder is vigilant about children's safety and she supervises children extremely well. The setting is very secure with external doors fitted with an alarm. The childminder ensures the setting is clean, safe and suitable for children to play and learn in.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 2623084 Local authority Devon Inspection number 10276118 Type of provision Childminder Registers Early Years Register Day care type Childminder

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inspection

Total number of places 6 Number of children on roll 4 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in January 2021 and lives in Kingskerswell, Newton Abbot. She operates from 8am to 5.30pm, Monday to Wednesday, all year. The childminder holds an appropriate level 3 childcare qualification. She is in receipt of funding to provide free early years education for two-, three- and four-year-old children.

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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 childminder and the inspector discussed how the childminder organises their early years provision, including the aims and rationale for their early years foundation stage curriculum. n The childminder showed the inspector the premises and discussed how they ensure they are safe and suitable. 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 took account of written feedback from parents. n The childminder provided the inspector with a sample of key documentation on request.

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Inspection activities

15 February 2023 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

15 February 2023 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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