Couper, Samantha Catherine

Overall effectiveness Good

The quality of education Good Behaviour and attitudes Good Personal development Good Leadership and management Good Overall effectiveness at previous inspection Inadequate

p.1

The provision is good

The childminder creates a busy yet calm learning environment where children show that they feel happy and safe as they explore. She works very well alongside her assistant to build warm relationships with children. Together, they recognise if some children are less confident in social situations and know exactly how to help them join in and play. All children develop a strong sense of belonging and enjoy their time at this setting.

p.2

The provision is good

The childminder helps children to make good progress in their learning and development. She plans a curriculum that builds on children's interests and continually challenges them to learn new skills in small, achievable steps. She includes all children in all activities, while meeting their unique learning needs. For example, children sit together as a group to complete puzzles of varying complexity and show great pride in their individual achievements.

p.2

The provision is good

The childminder is quick to praise children for their achievements. She and her assistant are warm and loving towards the children and give them the confidence to seek support or to share their ideas as they play. They gently prompt children to use good manners and praise them when they do. Children behave very well for their age.

p.2

need to do better?

n The childminder is reflective and keen to continually improve her practice. She has met the actions set at her last inspection and works well with her assistant to achieve good outcomes for children. The childminder's assistant has almost completed an early years qualification and uses what she has learned to support children's learning. n The childminder implements her curriculum aims effectively to help children progress well. She shares her intent with her assistant to make sure that they are consistent in their approach to children's learning. They teach children well and revisit learning to deepen children's knowledge. The childminder monitors children's progress and prepares them well for the next stages in their learning. n The childminder and her assistant skilfully encourage children's communication and language development. They help children to learn and use new words, such as 'honeycomb' and 'nectar', as they follow their interest in bees. The

p.2

need to do better?

childminder and her assistant ask questions to encourage children to think and respond. They provide a language-rich environment which underpins children's learning well. n The childminder provides learning opportunities that children enjoy and quickly learn from. Occasionally, she does things for children, such as washing and drying their hands or checking how well materials have stuck to glue on their art

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need to do better?

23 April 2024 creations. These are things that children could easily attempt to do independently to further develop their emerging confidence, personal skills and enjoyment of learning. n The childminder encourages children to explore books and stories. Children look at books by themselves, with their friends and listen attentively to stories. Some cuddle up with an adult while others pretend to read out loud as they turn the pages carefully and point to the text. Opportunities such as these help to develop children's pre-reading skills. n The childminder and her assistant are effective role models who encourage children to eat healthily and develop positive behaviours. Children play amicably together because the childminder and her assistant keep them well occupied in purposeful activity. They respond well to praise and are learning the value of contributing to everyday routines, such as tidying away and sharing resources.

p.2

need to do better?

n The childminder's current focus on encouraging children's small-muscle development is good. Children enjoy opportunities to pick up objects with their fingertips, and they strengthen their grip and hand movements through squeezing and rolling play dough. Children develop the skills needed for holding and using writing implements in the future. n The childminder communicates well with parents and with staff at other settings that children attend. She shares ideas and information with them to help to provide consistency in children's learning. Parents report very favourably about the childminder and her assistant and value the good care and education they provide for their children.

p.3

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

p.3

Safeguarding

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

p.3

should:

n broaden opportunities for children to carry out tasks that they are capable of attempting without help, to further encourage their independence and learning.

p.3

Setting details

Unique reference number EY337674 Local authority Bromley Inspection number 10326190 Type of provision Childminder

p.4

Registers

Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register Day care type Childminder

p.4

inspection

Total number of places 12 Number of children on roll 13 Date of previous inspection 1 December 2023

p.4

Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2006 and lives in the London Borough of Bromley. She operates all year round from 8am to 6pm, Tuesday to Friday, except for bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder holds a relevant qualification at level 3. She works with an assistant. The childminder provides funded early education for four-year-old children.

p.4

Inspection activities

n The inspector discussed any continued impact of the COVID-19 pandemic with the childminder and has taken that into account in their evaluation of the setting. n The inspector sampled the childminder's documentation, including the records she keeps to evidence the suitability of assistants. n The childminder showed the inspector around her home and explained how she uses the different areas for children's care and learning. n Parents provided written feedback to share their views about the childminder's service. n The inspector spoke with the childminder, her assistant and the children at convenient times during the inspection. n The childminder and the inspector carried out a joint observation of a planned activity implemented by the childminder's assistant.

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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

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