Childminder in Sheffield

Overall effectiveness Outstanding

The quality of education Outstanding Behaviour and attitudes Outstanding Personal development Outstanding Leadership and management Outstanding Overall effectiveness at previous inspection Not applicable

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The provision is outstanding

The childminder creates a vibrant, enabling and inclusive environment where children flourish and develop high levels of confidence, independence and lifelong skills. For example, children enjoy sweeping up, rolling out the table mat and clearing away their utensils. The childminder's gentle and nurturing manner helps children to feel happy, safe and emotionally secure. She is an excellent role model. This helps children to understand expectations and learn kind, respectful and caring behaviours.

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The provision is outstanding

The childminder demonstrates inspiring teaching and meticulously plans a rich, expansive and unique curriculum. She expertly weaves complementary educational approaches into her provision to enrich children's experiences. Children show a sheer joy in learning. They excel and develop a wealth of knowledge and skills in readiness for school. The childminder expertly sequences learning intentions, such as helping children to develop important small-muscle strength. For example, younger children manipulate squishy dough, while older children share challenging tools, such as a metal garlic crusher. The childminder encourages them to squeeze this really hard until the dough oozes through the holes.

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The provision is outstanding

Children learn amazing facts about the world, including the different elements of nature. For example, they engage in outdoor experiments, make instruments to create sounds of the weather and access resources, including non-fiction books, from the intriguing nature shelf. Children learn about life cycles while curiously investigating the structure of the dandelion, using a magnifying glass. The childminder explains how the seeds, which look like tiny parachutes, are dispersed by the wind and the cycle starts again.

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need to do better?

n Children enjoy engaging in daily routines, such as 'candle time', which is planned to create a sense of calm and reinforce important social skills. For example, children learn to listen and be respectful when others are speaking. Children watch in wonder as the flame goes out when the childminder places the glass dome over the candle. She explains the concept of oxygen. n The childminder uses every opportune moment to accelerate children's learning. For example, she points to the jagged-shaped leaves, explaining the origin of the name 'dandelion', and explains why children's reflections look different in the curved metal jug. n The childminder plans excellent outdoor learning opportunities. Children visit museums, the allotment and the farm, for instance, and attend exhibitions, workshops and multi-cultural events. They scramble over rocks and climb trees, strengthening their physical skills and learning about their own limits and how to

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need to do better?

23 April 2024 manage risks. n Children, including those who speak English as an additional language, develop impressive language skills. The childminder continually converses with children, asks challenging questions and introduces new vocabulary. For example, she explains how the flower head of the dandelion is made up of lots of individual flowers that are known as 'florets'. n Children love stories and singing with the childminder. This creates a jolly atmosphere and strengthens their fundamental communication and literacy skills. The childminder shares linked research with parents, who bring in children's favourite stories, and children take library books home. n The childminder explores vast ways to reinforce and build on children's learning. For example, when identifying what she wants to teach children, the childminder plans linked activities, outings and stories and provides non-fiction literature. In

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need to do better?

addition, she creates an interactive topic shelf and uses online video sharing platforms. n Children develop impressive hand-eye coordination. Older children use a hole punch and scissors while making binoculars with tape, string and tubes. Younger children manipulate the Chinese drum. They pour drinks from a metal jug and scoop and sprinkle Parmesan cheese onto their healthy home-made tomato and red pepper pasta. The childminder makes weaving and posting resources, for instance, to further support this aspect of children's development. n The childminder spontaneously helps children to develop early mathematics and literacy skills in fun ways. For example, children count the seeds inside the dandelion and make marks using the yellow dye from the flower head. n The childminder shares extensive information with parents, for example, through videos and weekly personalised emails. These include children's meticulously

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need to do better?

planned next steps in learning. The childminder inspires parents to support children's learning, such as by sharing a wealth of activity ideas. The childminder celebrates everyone's uniqueness. n Children develop an excellent early awareness of healthy lifestyles. For example, while learning about the human body, children visit the dentist, make fruit compote and visit the world food shop. n The childminder's high-level qualifications and superior continued professional development have a significant impact on her practice. As part of this, she accesses further training and limitless sources of information to continuously reflect on and improve outcomes for all 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 2654265 Local authority Sheffield Inspection number 10333003 Type of provision Childminder Registers Early Years 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 Not applicable

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2022 and lives in the Endcliffe area of Sheffield. She operates all year round, from 9am to 3pm, Tuesday to Friday, excluding bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder holds a relevant qualification at level 4.

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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 their evaluation of the childminder. n The inspector observed the suitability and safety of the childminder's home and garden. n The inspector held discussions with the childminder to understand how she organises the early years setting and implements her curriculum. She observed the quality of education during activities and assessed the impact this has on children's learning. n The childminder and the inspector carried out a joint evaluation of an activity. n The inspector spoke to children and gained parents' views both face to face and in writing. n The childminder shared a variety of relevant documents with the inspector.

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Inspection activities

23 April 2024 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

23 April 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

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/ofsted

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