Childminder in Wiltshire

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

The childminder has embedded a well-sequenced curriculum that she and her assistant very successfully tailor to suit the needs of each individual child. The childminder focuses on the prime areas of learning exceptionally well and naturally incorporates specific areas of learning within play. For example, younger children build towers, and the childminder uses language such as 'tall' and 'one more', skilfully extending children's mathematical development. The childminder and assistant are outstanding role models and use their skills to seamlessly take children to their next stage of development. As a result, children are highly successful learners. The childminder uses space well to provide enriching opportunities that support children to experiment and learn through play. For example, children test their own ideas by rolling balls down pieces of guttering. They suggest lifting the guttering to make the ball roll faster and succeed in their

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The provision is outstanding

task. They show great pride in their achievements by saying, 'Wow, it worked'. Children are relaxed, happy and tremendously well cared for.

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The provision is outstanding

Children show exceptional understanding of boundaries, resilience, and patience and listen intently to instructions and routines of the day. The childminder has high expectations for all children and, as a result, children's behaviour is excellent. Children are extremely well mannered and caring. For example, older children support the younger ones to fill jugs of water by carefully holding the jug still. The childminder and assistant show exceptionally consistent and patient approaches to managing children's behaviour. For example, they allow children to manage their own conflicts safely. They calmly intervene, if needed, using resources such as books to discuss feelings. This enables children to identify their feelings and those of others superbly.

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need to do better?

n The childminder and her assistant have exceptional knowledge of child development and use their ambitious curriculum well to ensure that children learn at a rapid rate. Children engage in meaningful activities that promote their awareness of letters and sounds. For example, children point to the letter 'A' on their name cards, say the sound, and then confidently link this sound to another object. Children gain the skills they need for when they move on to school. n The childminder provides an exciting and enticing environment that helps her to motivate children to be curious about the natural world. For example, children learn how to use a palm drill safely to make holes in conkers they have previously collected on an autumn walk. The childminder encouragingly supports children with this by skilfully introducing new vocabulary, such as 'twist' and 'scrape'. Children successfully thread these onto string to make caterpillars,

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need to do better?

supporting their fine motor skills and coordination.

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need to do better?

4 October 2023 n The childminder confidently uses children's starting points well to inform the children's next steps in learning. She diligently tracks children's progress and swiftly identifies any who may benefit from additional support. She is proactive and takes the lead in involving other professionals to help children receive the support they need. For example, the childminder ensures that contact is made with other settings children attend, and she ensures that referrals to outside agencies are swiftly processed. n Children are extremely confident talkers. They have a vast vocabulary and articulate themselves well. The childminder and assistant very skilfully interact to extend language exceptionally well. For example, they use rhyme time with the younger children to enable them to begin to use actions and move their bodies to music. With the older ones, they support them to create their own ice-cream

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need to do better?

menu during role play. Children confidently explain, 'I am adding vanilla with sprinkles to my menu', showing that they know the meaning of new words and can use them to narrate their play. n Children immerse themselves in deep and meaningful experiences with what they see, hear and touch outdoors. For example, they visit local woodlands, parks and sites of English heritage and recall a recent visit to an old 'ruin'. The childminder and her assistant recognise the positive impact this has on enhancing children's development. As a result, children are well equipped for their next stage of learning. n The childminder and her assistant help children to learn about how to lead healthy lives. Children show superb independence and manage their personal care needs by themselves, enhancing their confidence and self-esteem as they carry out tasks independently. The children enjoy planting and helping to grow a

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need to do better?

large selection of home-grown fruit and vegetables in the garden allotment. They then enjoy these as part of the nutritious meals and snacks on offer. Older children show a sense of pride when helping to prepare lunch for the others. n The childminder ensures that the training she attends targets children's learning and development very well. For example, she has recently completed forest school training. This has enabled her to strengthen children's experiences when visiting their local woodland area, particularly supporting children's fine motor skills with more intricate activities.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

Safeguarding is given high priority, and the childminder and assistant demonstrate a strong understanding of their duty to protect children and report any concerns they may have about a child's well-being. The childminder and her assistant are up to date with current practice and have completed relevant safeguarding training. The childminder and assistant engage in routine risk assessments of the home and outings. The garden is secure, and children manage age-appropriate risks such as balancing on planks of wood to practise their coordination skills.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY494692 Local authority Wiltshire Inspection number 10304995 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 12 Number of children on roll 9 Date of previous inspection 7 February 2018

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2015. She lives in Sutton Veny, in Warminster, Wiltshire. The childminder holds a relevant qualification at level 3 and is forest school trained. She operates all year round, on Tuesday to Thursday, from 8am until 6pm, except for bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder works with an assistant. The childminder provides funded early years 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 provider and has taken that into account in their evaluation of the provider. n The childminder and assistant spoke to the inspector about their intentions for children's learning. n Children spoke to the inspector about what they enjoy doing while with the childminder. n The inspector observed the quality of education being provided, indoors and outdoors, and assessed the impact that this was having on children's learning. n The inspector observed the interactions between the childminder and children. n The inspector spoke to several parents during the inspection and took account of their views. 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

4 October 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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