Childminder in Gloucestershire

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 creates an organised environment where children feel happy and settled. She sets high expectations for their behaviour and gives children clear instructions, which help them to feel secure. Children listen attentively and respond well to her guidance. They show positive attitudes towards learning. Children are eager to play and approach activities with enthusiasm.

p.2

The provision is good

The childminder plans her curriculum based on the children's interests and their individual next steps in learning. She provides a good balance of adult-initiated and child-led play activities to support their progress. The childminder supports children's understanding of the world. She encourages them to collect natural materials, such as leaves, to decorate pictures of characters from familiar stories. As the children join in, they speak confidently, making links between the colours of the materials and the animals they are decorating. The childminder models how to spread glue all over the animal before sticking the materials onto the paper. Older children develop their mathematical knowledge. The childminder encourages them to match three-dimensional shapes to picture cards. She introduces mathematical terms, such as 'triangular prism', to describe the shapes of objects. The childminder encourages children to think for themselves and make connections to

p.2

The provision is good

what they already know. For example, she asks them to think about the ice creams they eat to help them identify a cone.

p.2

need to do better?

n The childminder is dedicated to providing a positive learning experience for the children in her care. She stays up to date with the latest developments and is currently enhancing her qualification to level 5. She maintains strong working relationships with her co-childminders and assistants, demonstrating effective leadership by meeting regularly to discuss practice and identify training opportunities. Although knowledgeable, the childminder sometimes lacks confidence in her abilities to recognise areas of development to help raise the quality of the provision to the highest level. n Children have many opportunities to learn about healthy lifestyles. They enjoy plenty of time outdoors. Children improve their coordination and balance during their daily bike rides with the childminder and co-childminders on a nearby lane. The childminder provides children with healthy meals and snacks, and children

p.2

need to do better?

understand when and why they need to wash their hands. However, at times, some hygiene practices, such as sharing a hand towel, do not consistently support children's growing awareness of how good hygiene contributes to their good health. n The childminder encourages children to be independent. During snack time, she encourages them to chop their bananas and spread butter on their toast. The

p.2

need to do better?

17 September 2024 childminder provides them with small jugs of water or milk, allowing them to pour their drinks for themselves. Children demonstrate good handling and coordination skills and show a sense of responsibility by wiping their faces and collecting plates when they are finished. n Children are beginning to learn how to manage their own safety. For example, when looking for leaves to collect for a sticking activity, the childminder points out areas that may pose a risk to children. Children identify that there may be stinging nettles, so they need to watch where they are walking. The childminder explains that while children can pick bracken, they should handle it carefully as it can sometimes be sharp. n The childminder engages in meaningful discussions to assess children's knowledge. Before older children go on a walk with her co-childminder to identify different trees, she asks questions that encourage them to share what

p.2

need to do better?

they already know. Children proudly explain that, 'Acorns come from oak trees.' n The childminder builds strong partnerships with parents. She meets with them during induction to gather as much information as she can to support children to settle promptly. At the start and end of each day, she provides parents with updates on their children's experiences and progress. Parents speak highly of the childminder and her team. They describe them as an extension to their family and value their encouraging and supportive nature.

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 build on the good leadership skills to recognise areas of development and raise the quality of provision to the highest level n strengthen opportunities for children to learn about the importance of good hygiene and how it links with their health.

p.3

Setting details

Unique reference number 2762912 Local authority Gloucestershire Inspection number 10349547 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 18 Number of children on roll 35 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

p.4

Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2023 and operates from her family home in Staunton, near Coleford, in the Forest of Dean. She has called her business 'Saplings Childminding'. She operates all year round, from 7.30am to 5.30pm, Monday to Friday, except for bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder works with co-childminders and assistants. The childminder provides funded early education for children.

p.4

Inspection activities

n The inspector viewed the provision and discussed the safety and suitability of the premises. n The childminder talked to the inspector about her curriculum and what they want the children to learn. n Children spoke with the inspector during the inspection. 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 Parents shared their views of the setting with the inspector. n The childminder provided the inspector with a sample of key documentation on request.

p.4

Inspection activities

17 September 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.

p.4

Inspection activities

17 September 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.

p.5

Inspection activities

If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 1231, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk .

p.6

Inspection activities

You may reuse this information (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. To view this licence, visit www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/ , write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk

p.6

Inspection activities

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more information and updates: http://eepurl.com/iTrDn .

p.6

Inspection activities

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

p.6