Childminder in Dorset

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 experience a nurturing and stimulating environment that fosters their development through imaginative play and hands-on activities. The childminder initiates various imaginative play scenarios, such as putting toys to bed or using a BBQ to prepare a picnic for bears. These activities help children learn how to act in different social settings and expand their use of vocabulary. The childminder's approach encourages children to enact roles and use new words in their play, promoting social and language development.

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The provision is good

The childminder's curriculum supports children with creative and physical learning opportunities. She uses a large drawing mat to encourage children to make marks with different resources. The childminder teaches children how to use different tools to make patterns, such as car wheels and rollers. She patiently takes turns with children, allowing them to explore and experiment with the tools. This helps children develop control with increasing accuracy in their movements.

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The provision is good

The childminder enhances children's physical skills by developing her outdoor spaces, allowing them to jump, swing and explore. She fosters their imagination with creative play areas, such as building a 'fire' using wood and orange plastic bags to represent flames. These activities promote physical exercise and imaginative play, contributing to the children's overall development and well-being.

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need to do better?

n The childminder's curriculum focuses on fostering children's personal, emotional and social development. Her approach encourages children's positive attitude towards learning. The childminder prioritises building meaningful relationships with children to create a secure environment that allows them to explore and learn confidently. She builds children's self-belief by designing learning opportunities where they can experience success. This support helps children develop confidence while challenging and extending their abilities. n The childminder effectively assesses children and uses her experience to identify the next steps for their developmental progress. For younger children, she enhances their sensory exploration experiences, encouraging them to use resources confidently. For older children, she supports them in identifying letters and sounds in the environment, such as finding letters from their names in road

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need to do better?

signs, helping them understand that print has meaning. However, she sometimes identifies mathematical next steps that do not align with children's developmental stage, which limits them from developing a deeper knowledge of patterns and relationships between numbers. n The childminder develops secure relationships with children, building strong attachments with them. She helps them feel safe and supported. The

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need to do better?

19 December 2024 childminder carefully plans how to introduce children to new social settings, particularly for younger children. For instance, she arrives at group sessions early so that children can become comfortable with spaces while they are quiet. The childminder positions herself so children feel secure and gradually encourages their social participation. These trusting relationships improve children's confidence, enabling them to engage more freely and positively in social settings. n The childminder is nurturing and gentle, speaking calmly and reassuringly as children explore. She helps them manage their emotions when they become frustrated. For instance, when a walker gets stuck, she explains that it is okay and assists them in adjusting the walker so they can continue. As a result, children's behaviour is good. The childminder supports children's manners and politeness by teaching them to use 'please' and 'thank you', using signs so

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need to do better?

babies can communicate. Children demonstrate their understanding, using 'thank you' when given resources to engage in mark-making activities. The childminder's approach ensures a supportive and enriching learning environment. n The childminder develops good partnerships with parents, who describe her as professional, caring and loving. She keeps parents well informed about their child's development, regularly communicating details about children's day and progress. When concerns about children's development arise, the childminder proactively meets with parents to discuss, helping them understand children's needs. She collaborates with parents to find effective solutions that support children's progress. This approach ensures that children receive consistent support at home and in the childminder's care, fostering children's overall development and well-being.

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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.

p.3

should:

n sequence the mathematics curriculum to support children in developing a deeper knowledge of patterns and relationships between numbers.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY340713 Local authority Dorset Inspection number 10368286 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 3 Number of children on roll 3 Date of previous inspection 14 March 2019

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2006 and lives in West Moors, Dorset. She operates from 7.30am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, all year round. The childminder holds an appropriate childcare qualification at level 6. She offers government funded places.

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Inspection activities

n The childminder and the inspector discussed how the childminder organises their early years provision, including the aims and rationale for their early years foundation stage curriculum. n The childminder showed the inspector the premises and discussed how they ensure they are safe and suitable. n Children communicated with the inspector during the inspection. n The inspector observed the interactions between the childminder and the children. 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

19 December 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

19 December 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

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

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