Childminder in Swindon

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

This energetic childminder and her nurturing assistants welcome the children into this home-from-home environment. Children enter with enthusiasm and ask the childminder what adventures they will be going on today. All children form strong connections with their key persons. Babies hold out their arms and separate from their parents with ease. This shows that children feel safe and secure with the childminder and her assistants.

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The provision is outstanding

The dedicated childminder has high expectations for children. She focuses on providing an extensive range of activities that build and shape children's understanding of the world. Children spend most of their time out in the community. They visit a wide range of places and meet with new people, which develops their social skills. The children take long walks in the countryside with the childminder, where they see animals in their natural habitats. They learn about different life cycles, including flowers and creatures. This means that children learn the importance of respecting and caring for the world around them.

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The provision is outstanding

The children enjoy participating in creative activities. The childminder's assistants enable children to practise their cutting skills with small scissors. They develop important fine motor skills in readiness for school. Mathematical concepts and vocabulary are expertly threaded through children's play. Children extend their already impressive knowledge as they engage in enjoyable activities. For example, three-year-old children recognise shapes by counting the sides. They evaluate what might happen if they cut a circle in half. The children discover it makes a semicircle, which extends their knowledge and supports them to gain exceptional mathematical skills for their age.

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need to do better?

n Children thrive in this superbly effective setting. The childminder and her assistants have created a highly ambitious and challenging curriculum. They use their knowledge of the children to plan activities that excite and engage them for long periods. The childminder and her assistants ensure that they wait for the children to invite them into their play. They engage at key moments by asking open-ended questions to determine what the children know. The childminder and her assistants then skilfully introduce new knowledge, words and their meaning. This ensures that children make exceptional progress across all areas of learning. n Children enjoy a wide range of specialist sessions to support their physical development and health. They attend gymnastics once a week, where the children develop their listening skills as they follow instructions. The children strengthen their core muscles and develop their coordination skills as they bend

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need to do better?

18 May 2023 and stretch their bodies in different ways. They go to dance classes and move their bodies to the music. This supports the children to express themselves through movement and enables them to understand the effect exercise can have on their body. n The parents praise the childminder and her assistants for their dedication to their children's learning and development. The childminder works in collaboration with children's parents to ensure that learning is consistent and supported at home. Parents attend regular meetings where the childminder and her assistants outline their children's progress and the next stages of learning. Parents say that their children come home excited to tell them about their adventures and the wonderful things they have learned. n The childminder reflects on her provision and makes changes to enhance her provision for the children. For example, she has created a new small playroom

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need to do better?

for the older children, which is filled with a range of resources aimed at further enhancing their play. This means that older children have a space to participate in more in-depth creative play either in small groups or on their own. The childminder ensures that her knowledge and understanding are kept to a high standard through continued professional development. The assistants feel fully supported and inspired by the childminder to continuously improve their knowledge to ensure that they provide high-quality care for all children. n Children behave extremely well. They show high levels of respect and kindness for everyone. Older children happily share their toys with the younger children. They help out with daily tasks, such as preparing snacks. Children show a positive attitude to learning and a willingness to have a go from a young age. Babies try and peel their bananas and help to tidy away their toys. This means

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need to do better?

that children learn valuable life skills which will support them in later life. n The childminder and her assistants provide an inclusive environment that supports all children. They have a strong understanding of child development, which enables them to identify and support children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). The childminder adapts her curriculum to support these children while still having high ambitions for their learning. She provides one-to-one activities aimed at supporting the children with specific targets. The childminder collaborates with other professionals, childminders and parents to ensure that all children make the best possible progress. She has plans to further enhance her already strong SEND knowledge to offer more specialist support for these children and their families.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The childminder has a secure knowledge and understanding of her responsibility to keep children safe from harm. The childminder and her assistants teach children about being safe in the community, such as how to approach animals, road safety, and what to do if they get lost. The childminder and her assistants have clear procedures in place for recording and reporting concerns about a child. They know what to do if an allegation is made against them or a member of the childminder's

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Safeguarding

18 May 2023 family. The childminder and her assistants have extensive knowledge of the signs and symptoms of abuse, including domestic abuse. The childminder attends regular network meetings to keep her knowledge up to date, particularly on key issues in the local area and how they affect young children and their families. She feeds this information back to her assistants to ensure that they feel confident in recognising these key issues and concerns.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY440833 Local authority Swindon Inspection number 10289157 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 18 Number of children on roll 12 Date of previous inspection 14 November 2017

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2012 and lives in Ridgeway View, near Chiseldon, Wiltshire. She employs three assistants, two of whom work regularly with her. The childminder operates all year round from 7.15am to 5pm, Monday to Thursday. During school holidays, the childminder sometimes uses the facilities at Little Dragons Pre-School in Ogbourne St George. The childminder holds an early years qualification at level 6, and one of her main assistants holds a qualification at level 5. The other two assistants are unqualified. The childminder provides funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children.

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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 setting. n The inspector and the childminder had a learning walk and discussed the provision and the curriculum. n The inspector observed the quality of teaching during indoor and outdoor play and assessed the impact on children's learning. n The inspector spoke with the assistants at appropriate times throughout the inspection and carried out a joint observation with the childminder. n The inspector held a meeting with the childminder to discuss how she evaluates her provision. n The inspector looked at relevant documentation, such as evidence of the suitability of the assistants, safer recruitment and first-aid certificates. n The inspector took account of written testimonials from parents.

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Inspection activities

n Children spoke and engaged with the inspector during the inspection.

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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

18 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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