Childminder in Swindon

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

The childminder embeds a curriculum that suits the children's needs well. She provides a balance of child- and adult-led activities to promote all areas of learning. The childminder assesses the children's development and decides on the activities based on each child's interests, identified gaps in their development and the next steps in their learning. The childminder has high expectations for children's behaviour and reminds them of these throughout the day. This promotes an environment where children feel safe and happy in her care.

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The provision is good

The children learn about the world around them, including caring for living things. Children are growing sunflowers in the garden. Older children explain that they have cared for the flowers since planting the seeds, and they water them every day to help them grow. The children are also caring for insects by building and painting insect houses for the garden. Younger children recall the names of bugs they have helped, such as bees and worms.

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The provision is good

The childminder teaches the children about being healthy. For example, she uses a crocodile toy to promote good oral hygiene. The children attentively listen as the childminder demonstrates how the 'crocodile' ate too many sweets. She provides good explanations about the impact of eating sugary foods as well as the importance of keeping teeth clean and visiting the dentist. Children have a go at using toothbrushes and toothpaste to clean the crocodile's teeth. This helps to promote their understanding of good oral health.

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need to do better?

n The childminder promotes good community connections by visiting the library, the parks and the church to expand children's experiences of the world. She also invites people from protective services to visit the children. Recently, the children experienced a visit from a police officer. She allowed the children to wear her hat, sit in her car and listen to the sirens. The police officer spoke to the children about keeping safe and reminded them that police officers are trusted people who will help them when they are in need. n The childminder has some good strategies in place to promote positive behaviour. For example, she includes sticker charts and 'wow moment' certificates to celebrate the children's achievements and positive attitudes. However, at times, when children become frustrated, the childminder does not always recognise when to step in so that children learn to regulate their feelings and understand how their behaviour may impact on others.

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need to do better?

n The childminder is supporting older children in their preparation for school. She is supporting children to develop number and letter recognition, with some children beginning to write their names. The childminder also develops children's

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need to do better?

4 July 2023 small hand muscles to further promote their school readiness. She does this through activities such as digging and scooping sand and painting with a variety of handheld tools. n The childminder has a good focus on developing children's literacy skills. She reads with the children every day to expand their ideas, imagination and language. The children have developed a love for books and enjoy taking books home to read with their parents, returning them when they have finished them. n The childminder provides opportunities for the children to develop their mathematical skills. The children join in with number and counting songs to develop this further. The children play a counting game where younger children count up to five and older children count up to 25. n The childminder allows older children to develop their independence skills by following their own initiatives, including putting on their own shoes. However,

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need to do better?

the childminder does not always promote independence for younger children. For example, children become agitated when the childminder wipes their nose for them. The childminder does not encourage children to have a go themselves, which does not always support them to take care of some of their personal needs. n The childminder builds positive partnerships with parents. She shares information with them regularly to ensure they understand how well their child is developing. The childminder shares simple ideas with parents and provides activity packs to promote further learning at home. Parents are happy with the care the childminder provides and enjoy updates about their child's day through secure online platforms. They are reassured that their children enjoy attending the childminding setting and are showing good progress in their development.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The childminder has good knowledge of safeguarding. She can identify signs and symptoms of abuse to protect children from potential harm. The childminder has good knowledge of the appropriate professionals to contact if she is concerned for a child's safety or if an allegation is made against her. The childminder understands her responsibility for whistle-blowing if she observes children being mistreated by another childminder. She has a good understanding of the importance of record- keeping and ensures documents involving sensitive information are kept secure.

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should:

n build on existing behaviour strategies to quickly resolve disruptive behaviour by helping children to understand their emotions and the effect their actions have on others

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should:

4 July 2023 n develop opportunities for younger children to manage their own self-care to extend their independence skills further.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY337960 Local authority Swindon Inspection number 10298796 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 4 Number of children on roll 4 Date of previous inspection 8 January 2018

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2006 and works alongside a co-childminder. She lives in the Abbey Meads area of Swindon. The childminder operates all year round, from 7am to 6pm, Monday to Friday. She provides funded early education to children aged two, three and four years. The childminder holds a qualification in childcare at level 3.

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Inspection activities

n The inspector discussed any continued impact of the COVID-19 pandemic with the provider and has taken that into account in their evaluation of the provider. n The childminder took the inspector on a tour of the setting to discuss her curriculum as part of the learning walk. n The childminder joined the inspector in a joint observation to reflect on her practice and the impact of children's learning. n The inspector observed and spoke with the children at appropriate times during the inspection. n The inspector observed the childminder's interactions with children to review the quality of teaching. n The inspector and childminder discussed the management of the business and reviewed relevant documents. n The inspector took account of the parents' written feedback.

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Inspection activities

4 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

4 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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