Childminder in Herefordshire

Overall effectiveness Good

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

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The provision is good

Children grow in confidence and are happy at the childminder's provision. They have built strong, close, trusting bonds with the childminder and her assistants. Their needs are supported closely. The childminder is attentive and thoughtful, ensuring that their well-being remains high. New babies are sensitively supported to settle in the provision, and their confidence grows quickly in the caring and nurturing environment that the childminder provides. She ensures that they get the rest they need and is mindful of following babies' home routines.

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The provision is good

Children are motivated to explore, and they develop their skills well. The childminder considers children's interests and learning needs. She builds these into her planned activities, the resources she sets out and the support she offers them. The childminder is mindful of letting children explore in their own way, and they readily test out their ideas. Babies investigate magnetic shapes, separating and attaching these with fascination as the pieces stick back together. The childminder supports children to develop their confidence to tackle tasks and solve problems. Older children persevere to get dolls dressed, paying attention to details such as getting the clothes the right way round and using the fasteners. The childminder asks children questions as they play, giving them time to think and respond. She encourages older children to explore different mathematical concepts, such as counting and working out how many more items they will need.

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need to do better?

n The childminder organises her provision well. She makes good use of the space available. The childminder provides well thought-out designated areas, which she uses to support children's independence, confidence and skills effectively. Children select their drinks themselves, wash their hands independently and find their little towel to dry them. Older babies enjoy the social snack time, happily sitting in suitable chairs at the low-level table with the other children. n Children's developing communication is supported in fun activities. Children enjoy singing sessions and eagerly choose an item from the song bag. Babies watch and listen avidly, and older children show their skills as they join in with words and actions. The childminder builds the older children's speech as she chats to them and encourages their conversations. However, occasionally, the childminder does not ensure that babies are consistently offered clear age-

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need to do better?

appropriate explanations to help support their understanding, encourage their cooperation and extend their learning fully. n Children develop their physical skills very well. Babies relish the freedom to explore independently, toddling or crawling about to investigate the different resources. Children use ride-on toys outside, and younger children coordinate their movements well as they climb steps and use the slide. They enjoy ball play,

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need to do better?

24 October 2024 learning to kick the ball, and older children show increasing accuracy with this. The childminder ensures that she and her assistants are close by to support and encourage children, while still allowing them to manage challenges and appropriate risks themselves. Older children show very good skills as they climb on the more challenging equipment, balancing and coordinating their movements and building their strength very effectively. n The childminder patiently teaches children about expectations of their behaviour, persevering with her explanations to help all children share resources and take turns with toys. Babies start to interact, passing each other items as they explore the same resources. Older children develop friendships, and enjoy playing together and cooperating well. They like to be helpful and show thoughtful, caring behaviour towards the babies. n The childminder builds beneficial relationships with parents and regularly shares

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need to do better?

information on what the children are doing in her provision. However, occasionally, she misses the opportunity to promptly and clearly outline emerging gaps in children's learning and offer ideas for how parents could support these at home. Additionally, she has not built links with other settings that the children attend, in order to support a consistent approach across all aspects of children's lives. n The childminder supports the practice of her assistants. She has links with local authority advisers and uses online childminding groups to gain ideas and learn about new guidance. She has memberships with professional childcare organisations and uses training materials to develop her knowledge and help her lead practice at her setting.

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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 take the time to offer babies clearer explanations, consistently supporting their understanding and extending their learning further n share information on gaps in children's learning with parents more promptly and build links with other settings children attend, increasing the consistency in the support children receive.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY539560 Local authority Herefordshire Inspection number 10367683 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 11 Date of previous inspection 19 February 2019

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2017 and lives in Credenhill, near Hereford. She operates from 8am to 5pm, Monday to Thursday, and from 8am to 3pm on Friday, all year round. She regularly works with an assistant. The childminder holds an appropriate qualification at level 3, as do two of her assistants. The childminder provides funded care and early education.

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Inspection activities

n The inspector viewed the areas used for childminding and discussed with the childminder how she implements the educational programmes for the children. n The childminder and the inspector evaluated the effectiveness of an activity together. n The inspector observed the children, the childminder and her assistant and spoke with them at appropriate times during the inspection. n Parents shared their views of the childminder's provision with the inspector. n The inspector viewed relevant documentation, including suitability checks and paediatric first-aid qualifications, and the childminder discussed her procedures for safeguarding the children.

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Inspection activities

24 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

24 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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