Childminder in Devon

Overall effectiveness Good

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

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The provision is good

Children learn in a home-from-home environment with this experienced and enthusiastic childminder. They benefit from the use of a well-organised playroom where they can access toys independently. Toddlers choose to investigate the hairdressing and dressing-up toys. They pretend to put clips in their hair and carefully examine the plastic glasses before trying them on. They excitedly play with cause and effect toys, for example, they investigate how far the toy rocket can fly when they press on the launcher. The youngest children delight as they switch the bubble machine on and off and watch the bubbles float in the air. Children share toys well and try to include each other in their play. Their behaviour is very good.

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The provision is good

The childminder provides a curriculum based on children's interests. She supports children's learning with frequent trips to the local area. For example, they visit different National Trust gardens, a nearby Christmas tree farm and the zoo. They take activities to do while they are out and about such as 'spotter' sheets that help the children to recognise different plants and animals. Children relish looking at the photos of their trips in treasured books and on the walls of the playroom. They excitedly point out photos of themselves and their friends and recall the activities.

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need to do better?

n Parents appreciate the nurturing environment the childminder provides. They praise the childminder for being nurturing and trustworthy. The childminder communicates very well with parents through daily diaries, text messages and verbal feedback. She advises parents when they need support, for example, giving advice on helping their children to be ready to start school. She also provides home-learning packs for children that are linked to their interests to further support their learning. n The childminder provides a wide range of educational activities. She ensures that children are excited about their learning and that it is relevant to them. For example, they learn about growth through finding acorns, taking them home to germinate and then replanting them when they are saplings. Children become fully engrossed in the play, with older children in particular concentrating for extended periods of time.

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need to do better?

n The childminder monitors children's progress well. She talks with confidence about the starting points of children, how they are progressing and what they need to learn next. The childminder completes a personalised 'learning ladder' each term to monitor their progress and identify any potential gaps in their learning. Children contribute their ideas and talk about the things they like to do with the childminder. n The childminder understands the need to promote children's communication and

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need to do better?

6 June 2023 language skills. She talks in sentences to children and describes what is happening. She recognises when young children have language delay and when they have difficulties with speech clarity. However, she does not always provide enough support for their vocabulary development to further aid their communication skills. n The childminder engages well with children as they play. Children enjoy being in her company, and she tries to share her time equally with them. She provides adult-led activities that aim to address each child's next steps. However, the childminder does not always engage younger children in learning as well as she could, as she focuses most of her time extending and challenging the older children's learning. Younger children occasionally become distracted. n Children develop their independence. The childminder has high expectations of their behaviour and what they can achieve. For example, toddlers learn to safely

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need to do better?

cut up their own fruit with a plastic knife at snack time. She consistently models the use of good manners to the children. Children are polite and mindful of others. n Children are confident. They share their feelings with the childminder, and she responds well to their needs. The childminder encourages the children to choose future activities and outings, such as visiting the local beach. Children are happy and well cared for. n The childminder works well with other professionals. She shares information on children's development with other settings they attend. She follows advice from medical professionals to ensure that children have consistent and high-quality care.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The childminder has a good understanding of the signs and symptoms of abuse. She has secure processes in place to record, monitor and refer any concerns she might have about a child. The childminder has taken part in a large number of specialist training courses that are linked to safeguarding, for example, how to recognise domestic abuse in families. She keeps a comprehensive folder, containing information and leaflets that are linked to potential safeguarding concerns, which she can share with parents. The childminder ensures that her home and garden are safe and secure. She has good processes in place to ensure that unchecked individuals are not left alone with the children in her care.

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should:

n enhance teaching to help develop young children's vocabulary to support their communication and language skills further

p.3

should:

6 June 2023 n develop the implementation of group activities to aid younger children's concentration and support their next steps in learning.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 104187 Local authority Devon Inspection number 10291728 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 12 Date of previous inspection 18 December 2017

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 1997 and lives with her family in Exmouth, Devon. She operates all year round, from 8am to 5pm, Monday to Friday, except family holidays. She holds an early years qualification at level 3. The childminder provides funded early education for 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 provider and has taken that into account in their evaluation of the provider. n The childminder showed the inspector the premises and discussed how she ensures they are safe and suitable. n Children spoke to the inspector about what they enjoy doing while with the childminder. n The childminder spoke to the inspector about the children's learning and development. n The inspector observed the quality of education being provided, indoors and outdoors, and assessed the impact that this was having on the children's learning. n Parents shared their views of the setting with the inspector. n The childminder provided the inspector with a sample of key documentation on request.

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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

6 June 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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