Childminder in Plymouth

Overall effectiveness Good

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

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The provision is good

Children develop warm relationships in the care of this thoughtful childminder. They are excited to see their friends when they arrive and immediately settle into playing. The childminder fosters a culture of kindness and respect. Toddlers recognise when older babies might need help and kindly hold their hands to help them walk as they play outdoors. Children demonstrate good physical skills for their ages, jumping high and negotiating spaces well as they walk or run. They learn how to keep themselves healthy. For instance, the childminder explains to them the importance of handwashing, especially before they eat.

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The provision is good

The childminder encourages the children to be curious about the natural world as part of a high-quality, varied curriculum. She uses sensory experiences for the youngest children, including exploring different textures and tastes. She frequently introduces children to ambitious new vocabulary as part of a language-rich environment. For example, children learn the meanings of the words 'crunchy' and 'waxy' as they collect leaves on a walk. The childminder promotes a love of reading. She encourages children to access books independently in a cosy reading area. Children demonstrate that they feel safe and secure as they snuggle into their friends when the childminder shares a story with them.

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need to do better?

n The childminder has made great improvements to her setting since the last inspection. She has undertaken many childcare-related courses and worked closely with her local authority adviser and a childminding mentor to develop her provision. As a result of these activities, the childminder now delivers an ambitious, progressive curriculum for all children. n The childminder knows the children in her care very well. She confidently talks about their starting points, progress and next steps. She teaches children through a combination of child-led learning and pre-planned activities. For the most part, this is very successful. However, on occasion, group activities are a little too difficult for babies to participate in effectively. At these times, the activity does not match children's next steps closely enough and they quickly lose interest. n The childminder helps children to develop early mathematical skills well as they

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need to do better?

play. She teaches them to compare sizes of objects and reinforces new vocabulary, such as 'big' and 'small'. She develops children's counting skills through simple everyday tasks. Children learn about the different shapes they can see in their local environment, including finding circles on wooden fence panels. They listen well to the childminder and begin to apply their mathematical knowledge as they answer her questions. n The childminder supports children who speak English as an additional language.

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need to do better?

2 October 2024 She works well alongside parents to learn words in the child's home language and find out more about their cultural needs. She provides books and signs in the setting in their home language and in English to help the child's understanding and ensure that they feel included. n The childminder has recently achieved a level 3 qualification in working with children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). She reports on how she has become more confident in supporting children with additional needs, particularly those who have speech and language difficulties. The childminder uses a variety of techniques to ensure children make good progress and shares these techniques with parents to ensure a consistent approach to supporting children. However, she does not always promptly contact other agencies when children have specific difficulties to help them get the support they need from professionals in a timely manner.

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need to do better?

n Children demonstrate good levels of independence. The childminder has high expectations of what children can do for themselves. She carefully teaches babies and toddlers to put on their shoes before they go outside. Children of all ages are encouraged to tidy up their toys throughout the day. The childminder uses praise very well to motivate children to be independent. n Children are resilient. The childminder encourages them to problem solve. For instance, she supports toddlers as they fit wooden pieces into a shape-sorting toy bus. She talks them through the process of how to carefully turn the pieces to fit correctly. Children persevere and take great pride in their achievements.

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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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should:

n ensure adult-led group activities are consistently matched more closely to babies' next steps n contact other agencies promptly to ensure children with SEND receive specific professional support in a more timely manner.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY468556 Local authority Plymouth Inspection number 10311287 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 5 Date of previous inspection 12 September 2023

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2013 and lives in Devonport, Plymouth. She operates Monday to Thursday, from 8am to 6pm, throughout the year, except for family holidays. The childminder holds qualified teacher status. She is in receipt of funding for free early years education.

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Inspection activities

n The inspector viewed the provision and discussed the safety and suitability of the premises. n The childminder spoke to the inspector about children's learning and development, with a particular focus on communication and language. n Children communicated 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.

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Inspection activities

2 October 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

2 October 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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