Childminder in Oxfordshire

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 has an ambitious curriculum based on her excellent knowledge and understanding of each individual child. She uses her observations and accurate assessments to meticulously plan the environment to foster children's engagement. They thrive in the care of the experienced and knowledgeable childminder. Children are settled, happy and confident. They are excited and eager to learn and show an excellent 'can do' attitude and persevere to reach a goal. For example, children self-select challenging activities, such as a game where they manoeuvre cars around to release a toy ice cream van. They are extremely proud of their achievements as they cheer and clap together with the childminder.

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The provision is outstanding

Children's excellent engagement in their learning contributes to exceptional behaviour. The childminder's high expectations for children's behaviour are evident in children's collaboration with others. They interact well with each other and are encouraged by the childminder to develop the ability to share and be kind to their peers.

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The provision is outstanding

The childminder prioritises the development of children's early literacy skills. Her exceptionally animated storytelling captivates and delights children. This engagement encourages them to retell familiar stories and expand their vocabulary. For example, children respond to the childminder's cues and offer their ideas as to what is going to happen next. They have enormous fun as they laugh loudly together saying that 'the pigeon must not drive the bus'.

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need to do better?

n The childminder is deeply passionate about her work with children. She is dedicated to supporting all children, including those with special educational needs or disabilities, to make rapid progress. Parents note that their children develop remarkably well, especially in language, social skills, creativity, and independence. They comment their children are well prepared for their next steps in learning and, when the time comes, for school. n The childminder gives high priority to promoting children's independence. She encourages children to take on responsibilities with guidance. For example, children help to prepare fruit using appropriate child safety knives and thread onto skewers taking care with the pointed end. They develop an understanding of how to handle tools safely. In addition, the childminder has made use of specific training to help her offer children even greater challenges. Foe example,

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need to do better?

they hammer nails into pumpkins and help the childminder to make coffee, under careful supervision. The childminder praises children's efforts and accomplishments highly. As a result, children make remarkable progress and show high levels of confidence as they explore and investigate new things.

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need to do better?

17 October 2024 n Excellent use is made of community facilities, such as parks, toddler groups and nature areas. Children go for rambles along a disused railway track, where they shout down tunnels and wait excitedly for their shouts to return back as an echo. This gives children additional opportunities to build on their already impressive social skills, enhance their physical development and helps them to learn even more about the world around them. n The childminder enthusiastically involves the children in gardening and nature activities, encouraging them to use their senses and gather interesting items. For example, children planted carrot seeds in spring and show enormous delight as they harvest them from a pot. The childminder expertly expands children's understanding as they learn that you 'pick' tomatoes and 'pull' carrots. In addition, children identify the differing colours and shapes of the carrots and

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need to do better?

decide which is the 'longest' and 'wiggliest'. n The childminder supports children's problem-solving skills extremely well. She expertly promotes children's curiosity and positive attitudes to mathematics during everyday naturally-occurring activities. They are challenged further to count and use mathematical language expressing how many, how many more, and identifying shape and size. Children's learning is consolidated as they progress to lead their own play using their new counting skills. n The childminder actively teaches children the skills they need to independently manage their own personal care. Children know that they need to wash their hands carefully in order to get rid of any germs. They sing songs to remind them to wash under, over and wash their thumbs. As a result, children make remarkable progress and show great confidence in their self-care skills. n The childminder forges excellent working partnerships with other settings

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need to do better?

attended by children. She shares information and works closely with them to ensure children's needs are met and to help them make the best progress possible.

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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 134282 Local authority Oxfordshire Inspection number 10355162 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 14 Date of previous inspection 20 November 2018

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 1992. She lives in Thame, Oxfordshire. The childminder receives funding for the provision of free early education for children aged two, three and four years. She offers care from 7.15am until 6pm, Monday to Thursday throughout the year, including out-of-school care. She holds a recognised early years qualification at level 3.

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Inspection activities

n The childminder showed the inspector around the premises. She discussed how she uses the space, indoors and outdoors, for children's play and care and how she ensures the safety of the children while they are in her care. n The childminder and the inspector discussed how the childminder organises her early years provision, including the aims and rationale for the curriculum. n The inspector considered written feedback from parents. n The inspector spoke to the childminder and children when appropriate during the inspection. n The inspector looked at a sample of relevant and required records and policies.

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Inspection activities

17 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

17 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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