Smith, Laura Jane

Overall effectiveness Outstanding

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

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The provision is outstanding

The dedicated childminder provides a nurturing environment where the children feel valued and supported. Her patience, reassurance, and the care that she provides help children to feel emotionally safe and secure. She builds strong relationships with both the children and their families, and this helps to create supportive and trusting relationships. Children arrive happy and excited to see the childminder and their peers. They eagerly greet each other and show affection as they rush to give their peers a cuddle.

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The provision is outstanding

The childminder focuses her curriculum on helping children to have the skills to be confident, curious and independent. She is excellent at helping children to develop their communication and language skills. Children develop a wide vocabulary and become confident communicators. They talk through their ideas and have conversations with the childminder and their peers. The childminder has very high expectations for behaviour. She sets clear and consistent boundaries and helps children understand how to keep themselves safe. She talks to children about road safety and helps them to check to see if the road is clear before they cross. Children are extremely kind and polite, and they confidently talk about remembering to use good manners.

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need to do better?

n The childminder is highly dedicated to her professional development. Her commitment to developing and improving her practice benefits the children and families that she cares for. The childminder constantly reflects on her practice and applies what she has learned to help her to maximise children's experiences. She evaluates what she has learned and shares this with parents, so that they can provide consistent support for their children. n The childminder has an excellent understanding of child development and how children learn, and she has high expectations for all children. She encourages children to solve problems, think critically and express their opinions and ideas. For instance, she involves children in experiments, where she introduces concepts of density and buoyancy. Children learn what it is to make 'predictions' and they enjoy working out which objects sink or float based on their density.

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need to do better?

This helps to build on children's curiosity. n Partnerships with parents are exceptionally strong. Parents are very happy with the care and support their children receive. The childminder is deeply committed to working with parents to offer tailored support for each child. She works closely with families to assess children's progress, and to identify any gaps in children's development. She ensures that targeted support is provided to address any gaps in children's learning. n The childminder is excellent at supporting children's love of books and nurturing

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need to do better?

12 March 2025 their love of reading. She engages children well and immerses them in the story. The childminder makes stories interactive and tailors them to the children's individual interests and abilities. The younger children remain focused, answer questions and enjoy looking at the pictures that the childminder draws their attention to. Older children confidently identify punctuation marks and understand their significance in changing the tone or expression of the story. Children demonstrate exceptionally high levels of concentration and involvement, as the childminder encourages children to participate. n Children gain a good understanding of the environment and their local community. The childminder provides children with a wide range of opportunities and experiences to learn from. Children enjoy taking part in outings and visits, such as through trips to the library, local groups and parks where they socialise

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need to do better?

with other children. They enjoy keeping their community clean and tidy as they take part in litter picks. This helps children to have a sense of pride in their community and have a greater appreciation for the world around them. n The childminder promotes children's mathematical awareness exceptionally well. She skilfully weaves mathematical language into her interactions with children, helping them to compare size, shape and weight as well as developing their counting skills. Children eagerly look for numbers on doors and on buses when they go out for walks, and they talk about the shapes that they see on windows and doors.

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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 EY383223 Local authority Swindon Inspection number 10377341 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 6 Date of previous inspection 23 September 2019

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2008. She lives in Abbey Meads, Swindon. The childminder provides care Monday to Friday from 8am to 6pm all year round, except for bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder receives funding for the provision of free early years education for children aged two, three and four years. She holds a relevant early years childcare qualification at level 3.

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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 inspector observed the quality of education being provided, indoors and outdoors, and assessed the impact that this was having on children's learning. n The inspector observed the interactions between the childminder and the children. n The inspector spoke to parents and children during the inspection and took account of their views. n The childminder provided the inspector with a sample of key documentation on request.

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Inspection activities

12 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

12 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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