Vessey, Penelope

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 in this exceptionally welcoming, homely and nurturing environment. They arrive with great enthusiasm, excitement and anticipation for the day ahead. Every child, including those who are initially less confident, settles immediately into the childminder's care. She supports their emotional well-being particularly well and offers children ample amounts of praise, reassurance and comfort. All children demonstrate that they feel totally safe and secure with the childminder, and snuggle into her when they need a little extra support.

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The provision is outstanding

Children make exceptional levels of progress in their learning and development. The childminder is an inspirational early years teacher. She has developed a curriculum which is planned specifically around each child's different learning styles, preferences and abilities. Every activity is thoughtfully resourced with a clear purpose, so that every child can take part.

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The provision is outstanding

Children show a real thirst for knowledge. They deepen their understanding as the childminder frequently refers back to things children have previously learned. She gives them ample time to recall and consolidate new information. For example, the childminder talks to children about a recent project they completed about reducing the amount of single-use plastic items they use to protect the environment. Children remember this exceptionally well. They talk avidly about the importance of preventing plastic items reaching the sea and affecting sea-life creatures. These inspiring projects captivate children's interest and help them understand how to behave in a responsible manner and take care of the environment.

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need to do better?

n Teaching is consistently outstanding. Children benefit from the highest-quality learning experiences. Activities are planned meticulously to make sure they challenge children and help them make rapid progress in their development. Any gaps in learning close quickly. Following the pandemic, the childminder noted that some children needed extra support with their communication skills. The childminder planned precisely for this and gave children extensive opportunities to develop their speaking and listening skills. Children now have exceptional communication skills for their age. n The childminder continually seeks out further ways to improve her service. She demonstrates an excellent, up-to-date knowledge of best practice in early years from her personal reading, study and updated training. Her attention to detail and aspiration to provide children with the very best start in life is reflected in the level of care she offers the children and their families.

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need to do better?

n Children develop an exceptional knowledge of healthy eating. The childminder uses innovative strategies to support children's understanding of nutrition. For

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need to do better?

16 May 2023 example, every day, children are encouraged to 'eat the rainbow' by eating different coloured nutritional foods. They describe 'red foods' as being tomatoes, strawberries and rhubarb and demonstrate an excellent awareness of the nutritional content of different food groups. Children described the importance of combining protein with carbohydrates at breakfast 'to give you energy for the day'. n Children's behaviour is impeccable. They continually demonstrate kindness, care and respect for one another. Any minor disputes are immediately resolved as the children fully understand that 'sharing is caring' and that they use their 'kind hands'. Children's positive behaviour and actions are widely celebrated and acknowledged on the 'kindness tree' so that children quickly learn how positive actions help others. For example, an older child demonstrated care, compassion and kindness to a younger child when they felt anxious about a new situation.

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need to do better?

n The childminder offers an exciting, enticing and stimulating learning environment, inside and outside. She organises her home and garden extremely well to maximise children's opportunities to play and explore. Children thoroughly enjoy being 'scientists' in the garden as they make 'potions' using scented water. They thoroughly enjoy using different containers in the 'water kitchen' to practise their dexterity and coordination as they pour water, squeeze bottles and pull the triggers on spray bottles. These experiences are planned carefully to help build children's hand muscles in preparation for mark making and developing writing skills. n Children develop a love of literacy and books. The childminder reads stories with great enthusiasm, imagination and animation. For example, as she reads 'Room on the Broom', children hold different props to support the storytelling, such as a witch's hat and a wand, and join in with the story. Children repeat popular

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need to do better?

phrases and confidently answer questions about what might happen next. These sessions inspire children to use an extensive range of creative words and expand their increasing vocabulary. n Parents are overwhelmingly positive about the childminder and the immense impact she has on their children's care and learning. They note the rapid progress their children make and describe the childminder as 'simply brilliant'.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The childminder continually prioritises children's safety. She has an extensive knowledge of her duty to protect children from harm and abuse and knows exactly what action to take if she has any concerns. She carries out meticulous risk assessments on all areas of her home and garden to minimise any risks to children. The childminder uses outings to support children's understanding of how to stay safe. For example, she teaches them how to cross roads safely and ensures children know exactly how to evacuate the home safely in the event of an emergency.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY485453 Local authority Brighton and Hove Inspection number 10280759 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 5 Date of previous inspection 11 August 2017

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2015. She lives in Brighton, East Sussex and provides care for children Monday to Thursday, from 8.30am to 5.30pm, all year round. The childminder holds a level 3 early years qualification. Funding is accepted for the provision of free early years education for children aged 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 that into account in their evaluation of the childminder. n The childminder showed the inspector the premises and discussed how they ensure they are safe and suitable for children. n The inspector carried out a joint observation with the childminder and assessed what children were learning. n Children talked to the inspector during the inspection and described what they liked doing with the childminder. n Parents provided written feedback for the inspector, and their views were fully considered. n The childminder spoke to the inspector about her curriculum and how it supports children's learning and development.

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Inspection activities

16 May 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

16 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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