Childminder in Leicestershire

Overall effectiveness Outstanding

The quality of education Outstanding Behaviour and attitudes Outstanding Personal development Outstanding Leadership and management Outstanding Overall effectiveness at previous inspection Good

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The provision is outstanding

The childminder and her two assistants provide outstanding care and education to support the learning and development of all children. They know each child exceedingly well and have high expectations of all children to behave well and learn as much as they can. Children engage in a variety of exciting activities provided in a vibrant and nurturing learning environment, inside and outside. Children inform the childminder what they are interested in and contribute to a 'Wishing Tree', where specific resources are identified and provided to support the children. Parental engagement is strong, and transitions into the setting are thoughtfully considered by the childminder. Children complete an 'All About Me' notebook alongside their families, and the childminder and her assistants use this information to map the curriculum for each child.

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The provision is outstanding

The curriculum is child-led and enhanced by the excellent knowledge of the childminder and her assistants about child development. For example, if a child brings in a snail from home, this interest is supported and extended. Children are provided with a variety of opportunities to revisit and embed their learning. For example, at morning tea, children are asked if they can remember what the word fragile means and children call out, 'It can break'. Children work spontaneously together in a positive way. For example, as children gather plants and flowers from the hedgerow and hand them to their friends they say, 'Thank you'. When asked what they are doing, they reply, 'getting some crafting things'.

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need to do better?

n The childminder has a highly ambitious, broad and rich curriculum. Together with her assistants, she delivers a curriculum where children have new and exciting experiences and opportunities, are prepared for school, and become well-rounded, confident, and kind. Children are deeply engaged in their learning, resulting in them making good progress. n Children are encouraged to sustain high levels of engagement and concentration. For example, children spend considerable amounts of time outside working out which objects sink and which float. The childminder supports children to understand different concepts, such as buoyancy and density. n The childminder places a strong emphasis on supporting children's communication and language development. She enhances children's language development and introduces new words. Children bring their favourite books from home each day, and the childminder reads these with them alongside

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need to do better?

singing familiar songs and rhymes. This reinforces concepts such as sharing, turn taking and develops children's communication and language skills. n The childminder provides stimulating and exciting activities that support children

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need to do better?

11 May 2023 to develop their independence. Children enthusiastically explore the environment, engaging in various activities, both inside and outside, such as singing, reading stories, painting, and going on a bug hunt. n The childminder consistently facilitates children's critical thinking. She asks questions and provides activities to encourage children to think about position, size and learn about new concepts. Children are praised for their persistence while engaging in various activities, such as working out how to move into different positions using a ribbon, putting their shoes on or trying to release a ball from a net. This helps to promote their sense of achievement and develops their self-esteem. n The childminder has excellent relationships with parents and has developed effective methods to report between herself and other settings. Parents speak highly of the childminder and the assistants. They feel that their children are

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need to do better?

making very good progress in their learning and, where children attend another setting, communication between the settings is excellent. Parents say their children have become more confident, and the childminder is passionate about the children. n The setting is located on a farm and, consequently, the children have plenty of opportunities to be close to animals and learn about nature. For example, children learn about life cycles and watch chickens develop and grow. They hold and stroke the chicks and comment on how loud they are now. The childminder talks to the children about how the chicks are developing and how their feathers are growing. Children visit and explore a small woodland area; they pick flowers, paint trees, and enjoy circle time. These activities enable children to find out about the natural world around them. n The childminder embraces training opportunities, always looking to enhance her

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need to do better?

knowledge, and cascades this to her assistants. For example, she has recently attended training on communication and language and shared with her assistants the importance of giving children time within conversations and not bombarding children with questions. Consequently, the childminder and her assistants spend time watching and listening to children before intervening, enabling them to develop their confidence and self-esteem.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The childminder has robust processes to ensure children's play areas are safe and secure, due to the premises being on a farm. She helps the children learn about potential dangers and talks through risks and hazards with them, so they can make informed decisions alongside herself as to the safety of the environment. The childminder and her assistants update their safeguarding knowledge frequently through regular training. They have an excellent knowledge and understanding of safeguarding and child protection. The childminder and her assistants can identify signs and symptoms that indicate a child is at risk of harm, including safeguarding concerns, such as county lines. They understand their role and responsibility to safeguard children and know who to contact if they have concerns.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY487063 Local authority Leicestershire Inspection number 10264456 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 12 Number of children on roll 10 Date of previous inspection 15 June 2017

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2015. She lives in Lutterworth. The childminder operates on a Monday, Tuesday and Thursday, from 9.30am to 4.30pm. She holds an appropriate qualification at level 3. The childminder provides funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children. She works with two assistants.

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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 that into account in their evaluation of the childminder. n The inspector, the childminder and her assistants carried out a joint learning walk to assess the environment. n The inspector held discussions about the quality of education and learning with the childminder and her two assistants. n The inspector observed children playing, talked to them and tracked their experiences and learning. n The inspector and childminder carried out a joint observation on one of the assistants. n The inspector considered parents' views through face-to-face conversations and read written accounts from parents. n The inspector sampled documentation, including evidence of suitability and children's records.

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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

11 May 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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