Sciberras, Cara Jane

Overall effectiveness Good

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

p.1

The provision is good

The childminder provides a welcoming and stimulating environment for children. She plans a broad and varied curriculum, with a strong focus on supporting children to gain the skills they need in readiness for school. Children thoroughly enjoy their time in the childminder's care and are keen to explore the environment, particularly the outdoor area. They concentrate intently as they role play in the mud kitchen, mixing sand, mud and natural resources they find in the garden with water. The childminder provides a wide range of resources and tools for children to use in the sand tray. They develop important fine motor skills in readiness for future writing as they use sand, water and shape cutters to create 'birthday cakes'.

p.2

The provision is good

Children demonstrate good independence skills through the childminder's gentle encouragement. For example, they use the toilet and wash their hands independently and without prompting. The childminder is extremely warm, caring and attentive to children's individual needs. She interacts with and plays alongside children constantly. As a result, children form strong bonds with the childminder and show that they feel happy and safe in her care. They relish role playing together and with the childminder as they pretend to run an ice-cream stall in the garden. This helps to support children's growing social and communication skills.

p.2

need to do better?

n There is a successful focus on supporting children to become confident communicators. Children express themselves using sentences and a wide range of vocabulary. The childminder interacts with children constantly and supports their speech development very well. She asks children questions and allows them time to express themselves. For example, she asks them to recount learning from previous activities. n The childminder monitors children's development closely, using her good knowledge of how to support their learning to tailor individual learning goals. She plans interesting activities to help children achieve the skills they need to move on to the next stage in their learning. However, during planned activities, she does not always focus her interactions to ensure that children consistently benefit from the intended learning. Nonetheless, children make good progress. n The childminder provides a well-resourced environment, indoors and outdoors,

p.2

need to do better?

with a strong consideration of children's interests. Children are keen to play and explore. However, the childminder does not always organise the indoor environment to ensure that children sustain concentration or engage in meaningful learning as they play independently. At times, children quickly move from one activity to the next and become disengaged as the resources do not sustain their interest. n A range of outings and activities are planned for children, which helps them to

p.2

need to do better?

7 August 2024 learn about the world around them. They go on regular outings to local parks where they explore nature and wildlife. The childminder has taken children to the local fire station to help them learn about people who help others. She teaches them about similarities and differences between themselves and others through the books they read together and celebrating different cultural festivals. n Partnerships with parents and other childcare settings where children attend are very strong. The childminder regularly updates parents about their child's learning goals and ways in which they can support their child to achieve those goals at home. Children take their favourite books and toys home to enjoy with their families. The childminder proactively encourages regular information- sharing with other settings children attend to ensure a good consistency of care and education. n The childminder has high expectations for children's behaviour. She provides

p.2

need to do better?

calm and clear reinforcement to help children understand the importance of taking turns, being kind to their friends and sharing. Overall, children behave very well and build positive relationships with each other, which helps them to develop important social skills. n Children are provided with ample opportunities to exercise and develop their physical skills. They show good hand-eye coordination skills as they successfully hit balls with cricket bats, relishing the childminder's warm praise. They strengthen their core and balancing skills as they navigate a course of stepping stones of varying heights. n The childminder provides children with clear messages about the importance of healthy lifestyles. She uses lunchtimes as an opportunity to talk to children about foods that are good for their bodies and teeth. Children learn about the importance of oral hygiene as they play at being dentists with sets of toy teeth

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 enhance the quality of interactions with children to ensure that all children consistently benefit from intended learning during planned activities n review and improve the organisation of the indoor environment to provide more opportunities for children to sustain concentration and engage in meaningful learning during independent play.

p.3

Setting details

Unique reference number 2753937 Local authority Milton Keynes Inspection number 10349459 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 6 Number of children on roll 12 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

p.4

Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2023 and lives in Newport Pagnell, near Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire. She operates all year round, from 8am to 5pm, Monday to Friday, including school holidays, except bank holidays and her own family holidays.

p.4

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 views of parents were obtained through written feedback. n The inspector completed a joint observation with the childminder. n The childminder discussed the intent of the curriculum, and the inspector observed its implementation during activities, indoors and outdoors, and assessed the impact this had on children's learning. n The inspector spoke with the childminder and children at suitable times during the inspection. n The childminder provided the inspector with a sample of key documentation on request, including records of paediatric first-aid and public liability insurance.

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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

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