Childminder in East Sussex

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 thrive in this safe, homely, welcoming and exceptionally well-organised setting. The childminder works highly effectively with her co-minder and occasional assistants to deliver an outstanding provision. Every attention to detail is paid towards providing the highest quality care and learning experiences.

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The provision is outstanding

Children instantly settle and feel very at ease with the childminder. They gravitate towards her when she plans exciting, enticing and creative activities. The childminder knows children extremely well. She plans for their learning meticulously. Every child makes excellent levels of progress from their individual starting points, including those who may need some initial extra help.

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The provision is outstanding

There is an exceptionally fun, relaxed and homely environment. Children feel secure and build strong, trusting relationships with the childminder and co-minder, and their friends. They behave extremely well and show care and respect for others. Children develop exceptional levels of confidence and the childminder enables them to become active, inquisitive learners. She gently encourages them when they initially struggle to complete new tasks, or more challenging activities. Children beam with pride and proudly tell everyone, 'I did it!' when they successfully achieve something for the first time. This 'can-do' attitude prepares children well for future learning.

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need to do better?

n The childminder and her co-minder have developed an exciting, broad and balanced curriculum. Children develop a firm foundation on which to support their future learning. One of the childminder's aims is to give children the very best start in life and this is delivered extremely effectively. Children develop a wealth of skills and knowledge to prepare them well for school. The childminder's highly effective planning, precise assessment and excellent teaching enables children to become confident, articulate and resilient learners. Assistants who work with the childminder and her co-minder are appropriately trained and supervised so the high quality teaching continues at all times. n The childminder utilises every opportunity to enrich her knowledge and further develop her skills. She has recently enrolled on an approved professional development programme. This enables her to use the process of self-evaluation

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need to do better?

rigorously to reflect on her practice and further develop her service. She frequently seeks the views of parents and children and continually involves them in the improvements she makes. n Every attention to detail is paid towards meeting the changing needs of families. The childminder and her co-minder work sensitively with those who may need extra support, or be more vulnerable. For example, the childminder provides a

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need to do better?

6 March 2024 wealth of information to help parents understand how to support their child's learning and behaviour at home. She provides helpful guidance to support family welfare and parents' well-being. The childminder consistently thinks of strategies which may support individual families. For example, she shares detailed information about how to prepare a nutritious lunch box. The childminder has devised a useful recipe book to help parents prepare wholesome, healthy meals at home on a limited budget to extend this further. n Parents fully appreciate the level of provision their children benefit from. They commend the childminder and her co-minder highly and praise the support they receive. One parent said, 'My child loves going to the childminder's and always comes home smiling.' Parents fully appreciate how safe, secure and happy their children feel and how much they enjoy attending. n The quality of teaching is consistently outstanding. The childminder is

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need to do better?

exceptionally skilled in weaving all areas of learning into both planned and unplanned activities. She has recently been focusing on promoting children's understanding of mathematics in the curriculum. This has been highly effective. Children successfully practise a range of mathematical concepts as part of their interest in 'The Very Hungry Caterpillar' story. Children delight in making caterpillars of different sizes and then working out how they could compare their sizes. The childminder provides endless opportunities for the children to solve problems, such as what they can use to measure the caterpillars. The children spontaneously use correct mathematical comparative language, such as 'shorter than' and 'longer than' and confidently arrange the caterpillars in size order. n Children's different learning needs are continually assessed and robustly monitored. Since the COVID-19 pandemic, the childminder and her co-minder

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need to do better?

recognise that children need additional help with their language skills. The childminder completed relevant, specialist training and prepared activities to help children develop the correct mouth movements to form letter sounds correctly. She helps children do this successfully by making it fun and engaging. The childminder and her co-minder play games with the children using mirrors to help them see how their mouth and tongue move when pronouncing different letter sounds. This interactive approach means that any early indicators of possible speech delay in the children are eradicated. Children now use clear language and speak fluently and confidently.

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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 EY301345 Local authority East Sussex Inspection number 10317311 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 12 Date of previous inspection 21 May 2018

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2005. She lives in Hastings, East Sussex. The childminder works with another childminder and there are a few assistants who provide occasional cover. The childminder cares for children from 7.45am to 6pm each weekday, for 47 weeks of the year. Funding is accepted to provide free early education for children aged three and four years. The childminder holds a relevant early years qualification at level 5.

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Inspection activities

n This was the first routine inspection the childminder received since the COVID19 pandemic began. The inspector discussed the impact of the pandemic with the childminder and has taken that into account in their evaluation of the childminder. n The childminder spoke to the inspector about how she plans for children's learning and how she delivers her curriculum. n The inspector watched the childminder interact with children and assessed the impact this has on children's learning and development. n The childminder explained how she uses the ground floor of her home to provide for children's needs and keep children safe and secure. n Children told the inspector what they enjoyed doing with the childminder. n Written feedback provided by parents was read and parents' views were taken into consideration.

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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

6 March 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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