Childminder in Swindon

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 are confident, secure and safe in the childminder's care. Older children are strong communicators, speaking in long sentences and taking pleasure in learning a new word daily, such as 'bumbling' or 'adore'. They enthusiastically explain what they know and can do, for example describing how they are building towers with paper cups and comparing the weights of golden beads. The childminder has developed a broad curriculum, planning a variety of activities to help children acquire new skills and knowledge. Children eagerly participate in activities and make good progress in their learning and development. Children of all ages are curious and focus well. Older children ask lots of questions, for example 'I wonder what will happen if I put this here?' Young children listen to instructions and respond eagerly. When the childminder asks them to tidy up, they are keen to put the toys away.

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The provision is good

Under the childminder's guidance, children explore colour mixing. Older children confidently identify that mixing the colours red and yellow creates orange. They mix colours independently, naming their creations, such as 'violet' or 'blue'. As they paint a rainbow of colours using paintbrushes and syringes, children develop their creative skills, hand strength and coordination. Children share art equipment and toys with others. They work together and build imaginative structures with blocks, for example creating a coffee shop for the 'big bad wolf'. They praise each other's achievements, saying, 'That's a great idea', as they discuss where to place the blocks. When children struggle with taking turns, the childminder helps them consider their friends and how their actions affect others. Children say together that 'teamwork makes the dream work'.

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need to do better?

n Children of all ages are supported in developing their independence skills. The childminder provides a variety of child-safe knives, allowing children to cut up grapes and cucumbers, which helps develop children's coordination and fine motor skills. Older children understand and explain the importance of cutting grapes for their own safety. As they cut and eat cucumber, they exclaim that the taste is 'gorgeous'. After snack time, older children clear away the plates, wipe the table with a cloth and sweep the crumbs into a dustpan. Through these activities, children build their understanding of how to help others, show respect and further develop their coordination. n The childminder inspires children to develop a love for reading, which takes them on a journey beyond their own world, teaches them new things and expands their vocabulary. Throughout the day, the childminder often reads to children. She reads in an interesting and engaging voice, and children listen

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need to do better?

attentively. Children bring in their own books from home, making connections to

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need to do better?

5 March 2025 their home life. With confidence, they retell stories they have read, developing their memory and speaking skills. n There is a strong focus on mathematics, guiding children to develop confidence in counting and quantities. The childminder supports children as they build towers of cups, matching the number of cups to the dots on a line of dominoes. Older children develop their knowledge of sequence and pattern, discussing with the childminder whether they need 'more' or 'less'. They are guided to calculate number bonds, and older children count on well. For example, they work out that they need four more to make 10. n Parents are happy with the care their children receive. They report that communication is good, and they feel kept up to date with their children's daily activities and progress. The childminder's use of the outdoor environment is also praised, as it helps children learn about wildlife and enjoy calm time outdoors.

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need to do better?

Parents note that their children make good progress in their communication and physical skills. They recommend the childminder to others. n The childminder supports children to develop a strong understanding of nature and animals. Children help feed the childminder's chickens on a daily basis. The childminder takes children on trips to local parks, the library and shops to develop children's understanding of the local community and the people who live in it. However, the childminder does not always develop opportunities to support children to understand and celebrate similarities and differences and to learn more about the different religions and cultures. n The childminder ensures she stays up to date with relevant training and developments in childcare matters. She builds links with other local childminders and runs a toddler group, which helps her to develop her childminding skills and share good practice with others.

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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 extend opportunities to support children to understand and celebrate similarities and differences and to learn more about the different religions and cultures.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY234468 Local authority Swindon Inspection number 10368186 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 7 Date of previous inspection 12 March 2019

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 1996. She lives in a rural village near Chiseldon, Swindon, in Wiltshire. The childminder cares for children from Monday to Friday, 7.30am to 6.30pm, all year round. She offers government funded places for childcare. The childminder holds a relevant early years qualification at level 3.

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Inspection activities

n The inspector observed the quality of the curriculum during activities and assessed the impact this has on children's learning. n The inspector spoke with the children during the inspection. n The childminder and the inspector carried out a joint observation. n The inspector looked at relevant documentation and evidence of the suitability of the childminder and people living in their home. n The inspector viewed the provision and discussed the safety and suitability of the premises. n The inspector read parents' feedback during the inspection and took account of their views.

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Inspection activities

5 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

5 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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