Childminder in Suffolk

Overall effectiveness Requires improvement

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

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The provision requires improvement

The childminder has not fulfilled their responsibility to provide Ofsted with the required information to ensure suitability checks are carried out for assistants. However, this has minimal impact on the safety of children because the childminder ensures that children are not left alone with anyone whose suitability has not been checked.

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The provision requires improvement

Despite this breach of requirements, the childminder provides a homely environment where children develop a strong sense of belonging. For example, children are encouraged to hang up their coats and store their shoes next to the hooks. This helps them to find their belongings easily for themselves when it is time to go outdoors. The childminder's positive approach encourages children to become fully involved in activities and develop good concentration. Children are encouraged to make choices in their play, from a wide range of activities and outings that reflect their interests. For example, children enjoy using the chunky chalks to make circular marks on the board. The childminder asks them about their drawings to help spark their imaginative ideas and extend their language skills.

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The provision requires improvement

The childminder is a good role model. She has high expectations for children's behaviour. She reinforces expectations and desired behaviours to help children to learn how to keep themselves safe. For example, children understand the importance of walking sensibly and staying close to the childminder when walking in the local community.

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need to do better?

n Weaknesses in the childminder's recruitment procedures mean that the required checks have not been completed for all individuals who work with the childminder. However, assistants do not have unsupervised access to children. This minimises the impact on children's safety. n The childminder provides children with an ambitious curriculum, which is built on what children already know and can do. She uses information from parents and her assessments to plan activities. For example, the childminder organises visits to the local library to ignite children's enjoyment of a wider range of stories and rhymes. Children show high levels of enjoyment in their learning and make good progress. n Children's communication and language are supported well. The childminder talks with the children as they play and gives them time to think and respond to questions. She encourages younger children to use the correct names when

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need to do better?

identifying insects, such as a caterpillar. This helps to extend children's vocabulary. n The childminder plans rich opportunities for children to be creative using

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need to do better?

7 August 2024 different media and materials. For example, she shows younger children how to use a pasta cutter to make zig-zag marks in clay and encourages them to pinch and flatten it into different forms. This helps children to strengthen their small muscles and control in preparation for future learning, such as writing. n The childminder makes sure that children benefit from plenty of fresh air and exercise. She makes particularly good use of the local outdoor spaces and equipment to encourage children to climb, balance and jump. With plenty of opportunities to practise, younger children become adept at climbing the roped slope to reach the top of the slide. n Children are encouraged to be inquisitive about the world around them. The childminder prompts them to look under logs to find living creatures and talks to them about the different features of flowers. Children are taught to be respectful and show compassion as they observe bugs on the ground and avoid standing

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need to do better?

on them. n In warmer months, the childminder is careful to plan outings at the beginning of the day and talks to children about the importance of wearing hats, applying sun cream and drinking often. This helps children to understand how they can keep themselves safe from the damaging effects of the sun and ensures their health is well supported. n The childminder has reflected on her practice since the last inspection. She welcomes support from early years advisers, which helps her to build a clear understanding of her strengths and areas for improvement. The childminder attends training to extend her awareness of child development. This training has helped her to plan a wider range of opportunities for children to extend their mathematical skills.

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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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Due date

ensure that Ofsted is provided with the required information regarding all individuals who work with the children so that relevant suitability checks can be carried out. 23/08/2024

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Setting details

Unique reference number 251226 Local authority Suffolk Inspection number 10351793 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 16 Date of previous inspection 17 October 2018

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2001 and lives in Needham Market, Suffolk. The childminder sometimes works with an assistant. She operates all year round from 8am to 6pm, Monday to Thursday, except for bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder provides funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children.

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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 childminder talked to the inspector about their curriculum and what they want the children to learn. n The inspector joined the childminder and children on an outing to the local lake. 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 Children communicated with the inspector during the inspection. n The childminder provided the inspector with a sample of key documentation on request.

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Inspection activities

7 August 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

7 August 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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