Childminder in Dorset

Overall effectiveness Outstanding

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

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The provision is outstanding

The childminder is very clear on what she wants children to learn. She ensures she sequences children's learning, and that the curriculum includes all children, regardless of their age, stage and need. Children achieve and work towards her end goals of being independent and ready for school, regardless of where they are in their learning journey. For example, the youngest ones learn to do things for themselves, for example at snack time, and confidently move about the play spaces to explore independently. All children are engaged for long periods of time in meaningful learning. Children excel in the progress they make based on their starting points.

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The provision is outstanding

The childminder works very closely with parents to ensure that children settle from the start. She forms strong relationships with children, who seek her out for frequent cuddles and reassurance. The childminder is very sensitive and caring towards the children. She is respectful of the children's needs and provides them with the language they need to understand and communicate how they are feeling. For example, the childminder responds sensitively when children use their own words to suggest they may want some privacy when using the toilet.

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The provision is outstanding

The childminder has very high expectations for children's behaviour. She interacts respectfully with others, providing a positive role model to the children. Children, despite their young age, share, take turns, and play alongside others without incident. There is a playful, harmonious and busy atmosphere in the dedicated play spaces.

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need to do better?

n The childminder is a highly effective leader who guides her staff to be the best they can. She ensures that training is relevant to the children in their care and they constantly share ideas and research new ways to do things. This has resulted in more musical instruments being available. The children investigate these with the childminder's support to explore in their own way, without the need for songs and rhymes. This has led to children spending more time experimenting with sound, rhythm and tempo. n Children have a positive attitude to their learning and relish the many opportunities to explore, investigate and follow their own ideas. They are familiar with the daily routines and expectations for positive behaviour. The childminder and her staff are very kind, respectful and enthusiastic. Children are considerate of others. For example, during the morning welcome song, a two- year-old suggested that they start with another song to welcome them first.

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need to do better?

n Children are extremely independent. From a young age, they begin to do things for themselves. For example, at snack time, a two-year-old wanted a pink cup

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need to do better?

25 September 2024 and plate. They picked each plate up and put it to one side to get the one they wanted. They managed on their own, and put the other plates back for the other children to select. They knew what they wanted, and how to go about it considerately. n Children's behaviour is excellent. The childminder and staff make sure children understand their expectations, for example not to hurt others, to share, not to take what someone else has, and to be safe. Young children show they understand. For example, three of them played alongside each other with the train track. While one put it together, another took it apart to explore the pieces. The children were very accepting of each other and continued in their exploration. The children played for an extended time, sharing the trains and track. This is exceptional behaviour for this young age range. n The childminder and staff promote children's communication and language very

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need to do better?

well. From a young age, children share their thoughts, needs and ideas. The childminder and staff introduce new vocabulary, such as 'crunchy' at snack time for children to describe the sound of their breadsticks when they chew them. Staff constantly talk to children to give them the words to their actions as they play and encourage children to talk and engage in two-way conversations. Children do so with confidence. Excellent and prompt support ensures that any gaps in children's communication and language close quickly. n Young children are inquisitive and build on what they learn. For example, when a two-year-old learned that their 'shiny ball' was a bell, they used this language later when they came across more. They announced that they were 'shiny bells' and pointed to a red part of the bell handle and said it was an 'emergency', showing the link between the colour red and an emergency. n The childminder and staff make excellent use of books to promote young

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need to do better?

children's language and literacy skills. They introduce new words and test children's understanding. Children are engrossed in the stories and look at the pictures and listen intently. They point to pictures and repeat words. The books initiate lots of discussions and children frequently look at books on their own. They talk to themselves, repeating their new-found knowledge, such as when saying 'look at the big wheels.'

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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 EY540296 Local authority Dorset Inspection number 10364283 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 12 Number of children on roll 15 Date of previous inspection 17 January 2019

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2016 and lives in the Rodwell area of Weymouth, Dorset. She operates Monday to Thursday, all year round from 7.30am until 5pm. The childminder holds an early years qualification at level 3. She employs two assistants. Of these, one holds an early years qualification at level 3 and one has a level 4 qualification. The childminder receives funding to provide free early education for children from aged nine months to two years.

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Inspection activities

n The childminder showed the inspector the premises and discussed how they ensure it is safe and suitable. n The childminder and the inspector discussed the childminder's curriculum and her intentions for children's learning. n Children spoke to and engaged with the inspector during the inspection. n The inspector talked to one of the childminder's assistants during the inspection and took account of their views. n The inspector spoke with the childminder about the leadership and management of her setting. 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 The inspector carried out a joint observation of an activity with the childminder. n Parents shared their views of the setting with the inspector through written letters. n The inspector looked at relevant documentation and reviewed evidence of the

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Inspection activities

suitability of adults and staff at the setting.

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Inspection activities

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

25 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.

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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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