Childminder in Dorset

Overall effectiveness Good

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

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The provision is good

Children settle easily with the friendly, reassuring childminder and smile readily in response to her calm, gentle interactions. She forms warm, nurturing relationships with children, helping them feel secure and they play happily in her comfortable, inviting home. Children learn to play cooperatively. They learn to use good manners and younger children begin to say, 'Please', when asking for something. The childminder has high expectations for children. She develops a broad curriculum that supports children's interests well and helps them develop positive attitudes to learning. For example, young children show great interest in a painting activity and are keen to explore colour and texture. They enthusiastically squeeze different coloured paint out of easy to hold bottles. They eagerly push their hands through the paint and show great delight as they see this oozing out through their fingers. Children enjoy their play and make good progress. Children develop their

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The provision is good

imaginations well through their play. They cuddle a doll and pretend to feed it. They say, 'Ssshh' as they rock the doll to sleep. They like to dress up as their favourite film characters or act out being a doctor or dentist. Children show interest in the natural world, such as creatures that live under the sea or the frog spawn in the childminder's garden. She teaches them about the life cycle of a tadpole to a frog. They like to go with her to the nearby river and fish for minnows with their nets.

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need to do better?

n The childminder has a strong focus on promoting children's communication and language skills. For example, she narrates their play to support their understanding and extends their language very effectively. She introduces complex words, such as 'metamorphosis' when discussing life cycles with children. n The childminder targets activities well to support children's individual learning and progress. She is skilled at adapting play to follow their curiosity and ideas. For example, when children decide to push their hands through paint in a painting activity, the childminder provides more paper for them to make hand prints on. n Children develop a keen interest in stories and songs. They listen intently as the childminder reads a story about dinosaurs. They stomp their feet and try and 'roar' like dinosaurs. Children eagerly follow the actions to a favourite song and excitedly touch their 'heads, shoulders, knees and toes'.

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need to do better?

n Parents speak very highly of the childminder. They report that she is kind, caring approachable and shares lots of common sense. The childminder keeps parents well informed about their children's daily activities and achievements. She aims to provide a continuous approach with parents to support children's care and learning needs.

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need to do better?

8 March 2023 n The childminder gives a clear priority to helping children develop good independence and socialisation skills. Young children concentrate very well putting on their wellingtons. They confidently explore the play areas and easily access toys and resources of their choice. They enjoy going with the childminder to a library or to a music and movement activity group where they form new friendships with other children. n The childminder gives a proactive approach to making continual improvements. She reflects well on her practice and is embedding her ideas from training to support children's needs. For example, she has completed training that helps her make good use of positive behaviour management strategies. Children learn to be kind to others, such as to give a friend their cup that they have dropped. n Children enjoy activities about different festivals, such as Chinese New Year and try related foods. They learn about some aspects of diversity, although the

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need to do better?

childminder has not fully considered other ways to help children develop their self-identity and understanding of similarities and differences within their lives and those of others. n Children benefit from varied opportunities to use up their energy and learn about healthy lifestyles. They like going with the childminder on outings, such as to the beach where they go crabbing or collect shells. They create an obstacle course of tyres and planks of wood outdoors and learn to negotiate their way across. Children enjoy visiting a fire station with the childminder. They sit in a fire engine and wear a fire helmet. They listen to a firefighter talk about keeping themselves safe.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

p.3

Safeguarding

The childminder has a clear understanding of safeguarding issues and procedures to follow any concerns arising. She is confident about possible signs and symptoms that may indicate abuse and she continues to raise her awareness, such as through training courses. The childminder risk assesses her home and puts suitable prevention in place. For example, she has fitted a stairgate across the stairs to prevent children's unsupervised access and makes sure the garden area is secure.

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should:

n make more use of opportunities to help children develop their self-identity, and awareness of similarities and differences within their lives and those of others.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 2621169 Local authority Dorset Inspection number 10276102 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 15 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2021. She lives in Corfe Mullen, Dorset. She is available to care for children from 7.45am until 5.15pm, Monday to Friday, all year round. The childminder is qualified to level 3 in childcare and education. She receives government funding to provide early years education for children aged two, three and four years.

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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 this into account in their evaluation of the setting. n The inspector and the childminder completed a joint observation of a play activity and discussed the quality of education provided. n The inspector viewed a sample of documentation, such as the childminder's first- aid and training certificates. n The inspector observed children's interactions in play indoors and outdoors and discussed their learning and development. n The inspector took into account the written and spoken comments from parents.

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Inspection activities

8 March 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

8 March 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

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/ofsted

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