Childminder in Suffolk

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

p.1

The provision is good

Children arrive eager to play and see their friends. They separate easily from their parents and go off to explore the welcoming environment. Children show confidence in finding their favourite toys. They search bookshelves for familiar stories. They look in storage baskets for best-loved toy dinosaurs. Children talk happily about what they are doing. For example, they tell the childminder which is the biggest and smallest dinosaur. Children become deeply absorbed in using toothbrushes to scrub toy dinosaurs' teeth. They use small mirrors and peer closely, telling the childminder, 'They are all clean now'.

p.2

The provision is good

Children use their imagination and lead their own play. For example, they engage in dressing and feeding dolls. They set out play food on plates and tell the childminder, 'I'm making something special'. The childminder sits closely with children and involves them in conversation to extend their learning. For example, she asks, 'Can babies eat chips?' and, 'Why do babies only have milk?'. This helps children to develop deeper thinking skills. Children show good concentration in manipulating fixings on dolls' nappies and pushchairs. The childminder and her assistant give plentiful support. They observe children closely and say, 'Keep trying' and 'Well done'. This helps to build children's self-esteem.

p.2

need to do better?

n The childminder helps children to gain confidence in their play and make good progress. She can explain where children are in their development and what she plans to do next to support their learning. The childminder completes progress checks and shares these with parents. She provides parents with ideas to extend children's learning at home. n The childminder and her assistant have warm, trusting relationships with children. They attend to children's needs promptly. For example, they ensure children have access to drinks throughout the day. Children show that they feel happy and safe. They ask the childminder and her assistant to join in with their games. n Children's behaviour is good. They play calmly together and help to pack away toys. Children show kindness to one another. For example, they play with pretend cots and tell each other, 'It's your turn now'. The childminder takes every opportunity to reinforce politeness and good manners. Children use

p.2

need to do better?

'please' and 'thank you' without being prompted. n Children have great fun being active. They enjoy taking part in 'cosmic yoga' and show good control and stamina. They listen to instructions carefully to go on a 'bear hunt'. Children stretch their arms up high and balance on one leg. They laugh and giggle as they jump up and down. Children recognise the effect of exercise on their bodies. They tell the childminder, 'My heart is beating fast'.

p.2

need to do better?

29 March 2023 n The childminder supports children's mathematical development effectively. She models counting and talks to children about colours and shapes. For example, she encourages children to count construction bricks as they play. Children point to numbers they see on jigsaw pieces and tell the childminder, 'That is number eight'. n The childminder works alongside her assistant. She regularly shares feedback with him through professional discussions. The childminder and her assistant are passionate about improving their skills and knowledge. They identify their own training needs and work closely with local authority advisors to improve outcomes for children. n Parents are happy with the service provided by the childminder. They say their children are always excited to attend and have an 'amazing bond' with the childminder and her assistant. Parents appreciate the daily photos and information they receive about what their children are doing.

p.2

need to do better?

n Activities are varied and inviting. However, the childminder does not always consider ways in which children can sustain high levels of focus and engagement, especially in adult-led activities. Some children lose focus and wander off. n The childminder narrates children's play. She uses story sessions to introduce new vocabulary to children. For example, she uses the words 'emergency' and 'paramedic' when reading stories about a 'Busy Bear'. However, she does not always model the correct pronunciation of words to fully support children's language development.

p.3

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

p.3

Safeguarding

The childminder and her assistant have a sound knowledge of safeguarding. They are aware of their responsibilities to keep children safe and they know the processes to follow when reporting concerns. The childminder ensures that her assistant is suitably trained and she uses a range of strategies to 'test' out their knowledge of how to keep children safe. The childminder ensures the suitability of everyone living in the house through appropriate checks. She is clear about the process to follow if there is an allegation made against herself or a member of her household.

p.3

should:

n engage children in activities that sustain their concentration and focus, to extend their learning to the highest levels n support children to understand the correct pronunciation of words and phrases to promote their communication and language development further.

p.3

Setting details

Unique reference number 2618205 Local authority Suffolk Inspection number 10280863 Type of provision Childminder

p.4

Registers

Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register Day care type Childminder

p.4

inspection

Total number of places 12 Number of children on roll 19 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

p.4

Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2021 and lives in Kessingland, Lowestoft. She operates all year round, from Monday to Friday, from 9am to 6pm, except for bank holidays, family holidays and Christmas. The childminder holds an appropriate early years qualification at level 4. She works with her husband as an assistant. The childminder provides funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children.

p.4

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 her evaluation of the provider. n The childminder talked to the inspector about what she wants children to learn and how the curriculum is planned. n The inspector observed the quality of education being provided and assessed the impact this was having on children's learning. n The childminder and the inspector carried out a joint observation together. n Parents shared their views of the setting with the inspector. n The inspector looked at a range of documentation on request.

p.4

Inspection activities

29 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.

p.4

Inspection activities

29 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.

p.5

Inspection activities

If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 1231, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk .

p.6

Inspection activities

You may reuse this information (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. To view this licence, visit www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/ , write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk

p.6

Inspection activities

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more information and updates: http://eepurl.com/iTrDn .

p.6

Inspection activities

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

p.6