Cooper, Sarah

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

Children have an amazing time because the passionate childminder and her assistant show a very strong commitment to every child. The childminder's individualised curriculum engages and enthrals the children, who have a strong desire to learn. They are full of excitement and eagerly explore their environment. The childminder has high expectations for all children and, as a result, they make excellent progress. Children are very polite, confident, proud and excited to show the inspector around the home. For instance, they show where their toys, resources and individual story time mats are stored. Children's emotional well-being is supported very effectively, enabling them to feel safe and grow in confidence. For example, they play very cooperatively alongside, and with, one another. The childminder offers plenty of praise, which helps to boost children's confidence and self-esteem. The results of this support are reflected in children's excellent

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The provision is outstanding

Children make very good progress in their mathematics knowledge as they learn to count and name colours and shapes. The childminder encourages children to explore and discover when floating and sinking various objects. Children make excellent use of equipment, such as tape measures, to measure the size of vegetables they are growing. They record the results on a chart, which helps them to understand that marks carry a meaning. Children constantly recall deeply embedded learning. An example of this is when they reflect on and talk about watching caterpillars evolve into butterflies. Children share this learning with others beyond the childminding setting. This supports their growing understanding of caring for living things.

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need to do better?

n The childminder has a very strong desire for every child to succeed and achieve their very best. The highly stimulating curriculum is precisely tailored to each child. This successfully builds on what children already know and can do. For example, as young children experiment balancing their body across a large ball, the childminder suggests that they use different apparatus to further practise this skill. The childminder is extremely proud of the children and she expresses delight when they develop and extend a new skill. n Children make very good progress in communication, language and literacy. They are highly focused as they listen attentively to well-planned stories and use additional resources that extend their interest. The childminder is particularly skilled at helping children to strengthen their facial muscles to develop their pronunciation of letters and words. She encourages relevant activities, such as

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need to do better?

blowing bubbles. Children have excellent opportunities to practise pre-writing, for instance with crayons, chalks and water spray bottles. This also helps to

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need to do better?

3 July 2023 strengthen the muscles in their hands. n The childminder uses very effective teaching techniques, such as making suggestions to help children build on their own ideas. For example, when children are keen to display their beautiful pictures on the garden wall, they are encouraged to think about how they can do this. They experiment and succeed as they choose to use shaving foam. n Children have a very good understanding of their uniqueness. For instance, they find their photograph and name card on arrival. They explore their differences such as in their skin, hair and eye colour. The childminder provides the opportunity for children to become a 'pen pal' to an elderly person. They send pictures and make things for him, forging links with others in their local community. n The childminder has a very good understanding of how to promote children's good health. She knows their individual routines and teaches good hygiene

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need to do better?

practices. Children who need to sleep during the day are supervised very closely to maintain their safety. Children learn about eating healthily. They are offered very healthy foods and enjoy sociable mealtimes. n The enthusiastic childminder embeds a culture of self-reflection in her practice. She develops her excellent knowledge and skills and is highly dedicated to extending these. The childminder embeds what she learns in her practice, for example she has placed an even stronger focus on her curriculum and intent for children's learning. As a result, children greatly benefit by being extremely well prepared for moving on to school. n Parents are extremely complimentary about the childminding service they receive. The childminder shares ample information about children's progress and an informative two-year progress report. She establishes effective three-way communications between parents, pre-school and herself. Children are very

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need to do better?

happy and confident as a result of the childminder's and her assistant's professional knowledge and skills.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The childminder and her assistant place an extremely strong emphasis on safety and safeguarding. They have very good knowledge of local safeguarding procedures to protect children. This includes the signs of possible abuse and the indicators that a child may be at risk of being exposed to extreme ideas about right and wrong. The childminder and her assistant are fully aware of their responsibilities, should an allegation be made against them or a household member. The childminder helps children learn about the importance of keeping safe. For instance, they talk about stranger danger and practise fire and road safety. She has thought through and implemented very thorough emergency procedures to help keep children safe.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY315198 Local authority Milton Keynes Inspection number 10285659 Type of provision Childminder

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Registers

Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register Day care type Childminder

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inspection

Total number of places 18 Number of children on roll 11 Date of previous inspection 13 October 2017

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2005 and lives in Newport Pagnell, Buckinghamshire. She works with one or two assistants as and when required. The childminder operates all year round from 7.30am to 6pm, Monday to Thursday, except for bank holidays and family holidays. The provision provides funded early education for three-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 and inspector discussed how she plans and implements her curriculum. n The inspector observed the high quality of education being provided, indoors and outdoors, and assessed the impact that this was having on children's learning. n During the inspection, the inspector spoke to and interacted with the children. The inspector took account of the views of parents through written feedback. n The childminder provided the inspector with a sample of key documentation on request.

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Inspection activities

3 July 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

3 July 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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