Childminder in Leeds

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

The childminder is highly experienced and well qualified. She is dedicated to providing children with the best possible start in their education. Children thrive in the childminder's care. They develop excellent social skills and their behaviour is exemplary. The childminder provides an excellent, ambitious curriculum for children and tailors her teaching to meet their individual needs. For example, children focus for extended periods as they make dough. The childminder encourages them to use their mathematical knowledge to measure out the flour. Toddlers know how many cups of flour they need as they follow the recipe. Older children show an interest in written words and extend their vocabulary as the childminder models and explains new words.

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The provision is outstanding

The childminder continually enhances her skills and knowledge to provide high- quality teaching for children. For example, she has made changes to the outdoor environment to ensure children can access the curriculum to a high standard if they choose to learn outdoors. This has had a positive impact on their learning and has contributed to their excellent progress. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the childminder stayed in touch with families and provided photos and activities. This helped children to settle back in quickly. In addition, the childminder has carefully considered the impact of the pandemic on children's speech and independence. For example, she focuses on helping children to be proud of their achievements and develop high levels of resilience.

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need to do better?

n The childminder provides an exciting curriculum for children, which is based on their interests, individual needs and stages of development. She gathers detailed information on a regular basis from parents and families to contribute to her planning and assessments. This means she knows children extremely well, and they make excellent progress in all areas of their learning. Children benefit from an excellent balance of child-led play and the childminder's high-quality interaction as she teaches them new skills. n The childminder focuses on helping children to become independent, enthusiastic learners. For instance, she stands bubble tubes in sand tubs, and children show delight as they can access them independently. Toddlers count out excitedly to three, forwards and backwards, and then blow the bubbles with friends. Older children show enthusiasm to read and write as they access the materials outside. They talk about their 'conker soup' and work through the

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need to do better?

instructions independently as they play imaginatively. n Children have excellent understanding of mathematical concepts, and this is a strength of the childminder's curriculum. For example, young children recognise full, empty and halves as they measure flour. Older children talk about their

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need to do better?

7 November 2023 understanding of floating and sinking as they notice what happens to the oil in the water. They make links to prior learning experiments with water, leaves and stones. n The childminder supports children to develop an extensive vocabulary and excellent listening skills. She introduces new words consistently throughout their play and ensures they understand what the new words mean. Children talk in sentences and can offer new descriptive words as they explore the dough. For instance, they talk about the 'consistency' of the salt and liken this to the 'texture' of sand. Children develop a love of books from an early age. The childminder provides a wide range of stories and factual books, which children use as they join in activities. n The childminder is aware of the importance of building secure foundations for children, particularly in their personal, social and emotional development. She

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need to do better?

supports children to build confidence in their own ability and develop social skills in preparation for starting school. For instance, children thoroughly enjoy going to childminder groups and using the local story bus. They develop a strong sense of self as they share photos of their holidays from home and proudly display their achievements on the walls. n Children learn about healthy lifestyles and have an in-depth understanding of good hygiene. They know why it is important to wash your hands, and they enjoy taking part in activities that promote their good health. For instance, they talk about a range of vegetables and make them from the coloured dough. The childminder uses this activity to strengthen children's small physical skills while building their awareness of healthy foods. n The childminder regularly evaluates her practice and skills to work with children. She finds specific training to help her meet the needs of the children who

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need to do better?

attend. For example, she accesses training to help her support children with special educational needs and/or disabilities. She travelled to attend group sessions with a physiotherapist to learn the correct techniques to support a child's physical needs effectively. n Parents and families have strong bonds with the childminder, and partnership working is highly effective. Parents are included in their children's learning and receive regular updates about their progress. Their feedback for the childminder is highly complimentary. One parent said that the childminder provides 'a warm, safe and enriching environment that has contributed significantly to my children's well-being, development and progress.' Older children's written feedback included 'Every day my childminder puts in heaps of effort to make our day better and she does this so well.'

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The childminder has a thorough understanding of her role to keep children safe. She has attended a wide range of professional development to help her understand the procedures to record and report concerns about children in line with the guidance of the local safeguarding partners. The childminder can confidently

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Safeguarding

7 November 2023 recognise signs of potential abuse and provides her assistant with information on a range of child protection topics, such as county lines and neglect. Children learn how to stay safe and know they can talk to the childminder if they are worried or upset. The childminder talks to them about internet safety and what to do if they experience bullying.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 320235 Local authority Leeds Inspection number 10305463 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 11 Date of previous inspection 22 February 2018

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 1998 and lives in the Horsforth area of Leeds. She operates during term time from 7.30am to 5.30pm, Monday to Friday. The childminder holds a recognised childcare qualification at level 3. The childminder offers funded early education places for two-, three- and four-year-old children. She is registered to work with an assistant.

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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 her evaluation of the setting. n The inspector observed the quality of teaching during activities, indoors and outdoors, and assessed the impact this has on children's learning. n A joint observation was completed by the childminder and the inspector, indoors during a planned activity. n The inspector held a discussion with childminder in relation to the leadership and management of the setting. She looked at relevant documentation, such as evidence of qualifications and of the childminder's and her assistant's suitability to work with children. n The childminder gathered written feedback from parents and children for 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

7 November 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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