Stone, Mandy Victoria

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

The childminder creates a calm and welcoming environment. Children demonstrate that they feel happy and are settled. Children have formed good relationships with each other, and they behave well together. Children benefit from a well-organised learning environment. This enables children to make independent choices about what they want to do. For example, children are seen to have lots of fun as they dress up and play imaginatively. The childminder encourages children to develop their self-help skills well, which in turn supports their independence. For example, children are encouraged to pour their own drinks at snack time, and they help to cut fruit into pieces.

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The provision is good

The childminder and any assistants she works with plan a curriculum that is designed to support the children's interests, build on what they know and support their individual needs well. The childminder plans enjoyable ways for the children to learn new skills. For example, during creative activities, she helps them to learn about colours, space and numbers. Children are curious in their play and develop a strong understanding of the world. For instance, as they play with animal figures in water, they learn factual information and about how these animals adapt to water in real life.

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need to do better?

n The childminder has a good awareness of where the children are in their learning and development. She carries out regular observations of their progress to monitor and assess what they know and can do. This helps her to set targeted next steps in learning to maximise achievements. As a result, children make good progress in the curriculum. n The childminder communicates with children well. She offers an ongoing narrative to their play, and together they talk about what they are doing. This, combined with a good range of questions, helps to develop children's communication and language. n Children sit together at snack and mealtimes to enjoy their food with their friends. The childminder talks to the children about the importance of eating healthily and staying hydrated. However, at times, some children are not encouraged to follow and maintain the rules expected to support their good health. Children enjoy plenty of exercise in the childminder's garden, where they

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need to do better?

have fun on wheeled toys, balance on stepping stones and play with balls. n Children show kindness and care towards their peers. For example, at the inspection, they are heard checking that their friends are alright. The childminder and any assistants she works with encourage children to share and take turns through discussions and the use of sand timers when needed. Children benefit from a good amount of praise and encouragement, and they

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need to do better?

4 March 2025 cooperate happily during routine activities such as tidy-up time. n Partnerships with other professionals involved in the children's care are strong. The childminder regularly shares information about children's learning and development to support continuity. Feedback from parents is highly positive and praises the commitment the childminder gives to the children, the progress they are making and how happy their children are in her care. n The childminder networks with other childminders. This ensures that children have regular opportunities to socialise with larger groups of children. Children benefit from outings to places of interest in the local area. For instance, they visit the local woodlands, where they can play, explore in nature and enjoy being more physically active. The childminder helps children learn about diversity and people from around the world. For example, children play with a variety of toys

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need to do better?

and resources that help them learn about other people, cultures and traditions. This helps to prepare them for life in modern Britain. n The childminder provides good-quality care and learning for children. She is committed to her work and improving her knowledge and skills. She completes further training and regularly attends seminars to help develop her practice. The childminder shares new knowledge with any assistants that she works with to ensure that they continue to build on their skills. However, coaching and mentoring to embed a sharper focus on their teaching are not fully effective.

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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 review deployment and supervision at mealtimes to ensure that effective health and hygiene routines are consistently followed n build on the arrangements for staff supervision and training to further develop their skills and raise the quality of teaching.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY434077 Local authority Oxfordshire Inspection number 10380697 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 10 Date of previous inspection 19 June 2019

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2011 and lives in Abingdon, Oxfordshire. She works with an assistant and operates all year round, from 8am to 6pm. The childminder provides funded early education for children.

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Inspection activities

n The childminder and the inspector discussed how the childminder organises her early years provision, including the aims and rationale for her early years foundation stage curriculum. n The childminder and the inspector completed a joint observation of an activity together and afterwards discussed the quality of teaching and learning. n The inspector observed the quality of education being provided, indoors and outdoors, and assessed the impact that this is having on the children's learning. n Parents shared their views of the setting with the inspector. n The children spoke to the inspector about the activities they took part in. n The childminder provided the inspector with a sample of key documentation on request.

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Inspection activities

4 March 2025 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

4 March 2025 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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