Childminder in Devon

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 flourish in the care of this exceptional childminder. They benefit from a highly engaging curriculum designed to promote children's curiosity and independence. Children spend much of their day eagerly exploring the exciting play areas in the large garden. They become deeply engaged in their independent activities. Older children experiment with creating different colours using powder paints. Babies and toddlers carefully sweep and scoop sand and explore the different marks they make. The childminder and her assistant provide the children with exceptionally high-quality interactions throughout the day. Children learn and use a vast number of words for their age. For example, toddlers confidently talk about habitats as they take part in a bug hunt. They develop an excellent understanding of the world around them.

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The provision is outstanding

The childminder and her assistant are passionate about their roles as early educators. They regularly reflect on their practice to create an inclusive environment which allows all children to thrive. Their enthusiasm for learning is shared by the children in their care. Children demonstrate high levels of respect for adults and each other. They learn to take care of the natural world as part of their daily activities. They take part in thoughtful discussions, such as ensuring wildlife can not access plastic in the garden. Children are keen to share their knowledge and delight in engaging others in their favourite activities. For instance, they confidently ask others, 'Would you like to help feed the birds?'

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need to do better?

n The childminder and her assistant have a strong shared vision for how and what they want children to learn. They work incredibly well alongside each other to ensure that children are given the individual care and attention to thrive. They make the most of every opportunity to build on children's prior knowledge through high-quality questioning and discussion. Children learn about a wide range of topics and recall information exceptionally well. They make excellent progress across all areas of the curriculum, including those children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). n The childminder purposefully designs the curriculum to promote children's problem-solving skills. Children become deeply engaged in activities and experiment with the best ways to complete them. For example, they work very well alongside each other make their own play dough. They carefully experiment with using different quantities of the ingredients and persevere until they reach

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need to do better?

the correct consistency. Children are highly motivated and are incredibly confident making their own decisions from a very young age. n Children learn in a language rich environment. The childminder and her assistant effortlessly include songs and rhymes as they interact with children. They use

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need to do better?

22 February 2024 books to deepen children's understanding of concepts, such as life cycles. The childminder incorporates her training in drama with the children. She engages children through the use of puppets and the creation of a storytelling willow dome in the garden. Children have great fun as they learn and demonstrate warm relationships with the childminder. n Children are eager and active learners. The childminder encourages them to take risks as they play in the well-designed indoor and outdoor environments. For example, older babies and toddlers delight as they experiment with walking faster and faster on muddy slopes in the garden. Children relish the challenges they set themselves and demonstrate a great sense of satisfaction as they achieve their goals. n The childminder is a superb role model to children. She promotes a highly inclusive and tolerant attitude to others. She sensitively discusses with children

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need to do better?

at an age-appropriate level how their actions might affect others. Children cooperate extremely well with others and demonstrate consistently high levels of self-control. n Partnerships with parents are excellent. The childminder puts in place strong systems to ensure that new children settle incredibly quickly. Parents comment on the 'exceptional' care their children receive and the 'inspiring learning environment'. The childminder uses the information parents share with her to help provide bespoke learning experiences for each child. n The childminder and her assistant have a deep understanding of how children learn. The childminder carefully monitors her assistant's practice and provides regular feedback to ensure a consistent approach to implementing the curriculum. She ensures they both have targeted opportunities for training based on the precise needs of the children in their care, including those for children

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

There is an open and positive culture around safeguarding that puts children's interests first.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY500445 Local authority Devon Inspection number 10312290 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 15 Date of previous inspection 25 April 2018

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2016. She lives in a rural setting close to Cullompton and Kentisbeare, in Devon. She operates for most of the year, from 8am to 5.15pm, Monday to Thursday. She holds a relevant level 3 qualification and works with an assistant. The childminder is in receipt of funding for early years education for children aged two- and four-years-old.

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Inspection activities

n This was the first routine inspection the provider 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 inspector viewed the provision and discussed the safety and suitability of the premises. n The childminder and the inspector discussed how the childminder organises their early years provision, including the aims and rationale for their early years foundation stage curriculum. 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 childminder and the inspector carried out a joint observation of an activity led by her assistant. n Parents shared their views on the setting with the inspector.

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Inspection activities

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

22 February 2024 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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