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 from being in this wonderful childminder's care. She is extremely passionate about providing children with a calm environment that values their emotional well-being. She creates a delightful inviting space for children within her log cabin and children develop warm, nurturing bonds with her. Children benefit hugely from this and are very happy and confident.

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The provision is outstanding

The childminder prides herself on providing children and their families with the very highest care and this shines through her entire practice. She has very high expectations of all children and they excel from their starting points. Children happily share and take care of their friends.

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The provision is outstanding

The childminder creates a curriculum that has a strong focus on exploring nature and promotes caring for the environment. She prioritises children learning through real-life experiences and adventures as they encounter the awe and wonder of the world around them. Children confidently lead their own learning and are motivated by their own interests. For example, children delight in recalling their experiences of handling frogs. The childminder skilfully uses every opportunity to extend children's learning as she recaps the life cycle of a frog and children name the different stages. She cleverly incorporates counting songs about frogs.

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need to do better?

n The childminder provides an exciting curriculum based on children's interests. She provides them with unique experiences, enabling them to flourish. Children are enthusiastic, highly engaged in their play and consequently develop a love of learning. n The childminder understands the importance of observing children. She skilfully adapts her provision to meet children's individual needs. She uses meticulous assessment to plan children's next steps which continue to build on their existing knowledge and skills. Children have plenty of opportunities to consolidate previous learning, as the childminder makes regular links to their prior experiences. For example, children enjoy recalling trips they have been on and stories they have read. n The childminder promotes children's communication and language development exquisitely. She carefully weaves new vocabulary into children's play so that they hear and learn a range of words in context. For example, children enjoy

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need to do better?

exploring sensory play dough and confidently recall words, such as 'chrysalis' while rolling out caterpillars. They have an interesting conversation about different types of flowers they observed during a walk, and the childminder teaches children a variety of names such as 'crocus', 'daffodil' and 'snowdrop'. n The childminder weaves mathematical and literacy development into children's

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need to do better?

24 February 2023 play. Even the youngest children delight in looking for objects in the environment that start with the same sound as their names. The childminder incorporates counting into everyday activities and helps children learn to recognise numbers in the environment. Children feel the weight of various objects and enjoy estimating which is heavier. n Children demonstrate excellent independence skills and enjoy doing things for themselves. Even the youngest children learn self-help skills. They develop resilience as they put their own slippers on and are encouraged to use knives safely to prepare snack. n The childminder establishes extremely positive partnerships with parents and knows families exceptionally well. Parents are delighted with the progress their children are making. All parents highly value the service the childminder provides and share detailed feedback on reasons why they love her setting.

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need to do better?

Some families have been using the service for long periods of time and older children thoroughly enjoy attending before and after school. n The childminder prides herself on her self-reflective nature as she is passionate about continuous improvement. She has a very clear understanding of her own strengths and the areas she wants to develop to further enhance her setting. She attends a wide range of training in line with her ambitious vision for the setting. n The childminder has excellent partnerships with other professionals. She initiates communication with other settings that children attend, to share regular reports and updates them on children's development. She regularly meets with other childminders and professionals to share learning and networking opportunities.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The childminder has an excellent knowledge of how to keep children safe in her care. She has attended multiple training courses that have given her a thorough awareness of her role and responsibility in identifying children who may be at risk of harm. She has a robust understanding of the different aspects of safeguarding within the context of her local area. The childminder shares key messages with children and their families about road safety, online safety and stranger danger. Children learn to manage challenge and risk safely for themselves, as they experience climbing trees on outings.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY285087 Local authority Gloucestershire Inspection number 10276679 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 11 Date of previous inspection 27 July 2017

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2004. She lives in the Hatherley area of Cheltenham. The childminder operates from 8am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, usually during term time only. She receives free early education funding for children aged three and four years old.

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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 showed the inspector the premises and discussed how they ensure it is safe and suitable. n The childminder and the inspector discussed the early years curriculum and the impact this has on children's learning. n The inspector completed a joint observation with the childminder, and the inspector observed interactions between the childminder and children. n Throughout the inspection, the inspector spoke with the childminder and children at suitable times. n The inspector read written statements from parents and took their views into account. n The childminder showed the inspector a sample of key documentation upon request.

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Inspection activities

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

24 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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