Knight, Alison Kay

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 happy and settled in the childminder's home-from-home setting. They are valued and have excellent relationships with the caring childminder. The childminder recognises when children need reassurance and offers them plenty of cuddles, when needed. This helps children feel safe and secure in her care.

p.2

The provision is good

The childminder clearly identifies what she wants children to learn and plans effectively to deliver this intent through outdoor learning. Children go on walks to the local parks, the library and toddler groups. The chidminder also regularly plans other outings to places of interest, which support children to develop an understanding of the world and learn about similarities and differences.

p.2

The provision is good

Children learn to understand how to keep themselves safe. The childminder teaches children to sit down when eating and explains the importance of playing safely. She encourages children to tidy up when they have finished playing, ready for the next activity. Children show a willingness to help. They learn to respect the environment and how to look after the toys.

p.2

The provision is good

The childminder offers timely praise, and this boosts children's self-esteem. When minor disagreements occur, the childminder is on hand to support children in finding a resolution together. They learn about the importance of being kind to each other, sharing and taking turns. This promotes their social development and helps them build positive relationships with their peers.

p.2

need to do better?

n The childminder ensures she promotes strong parent partnerships, which have a positive impact on the children's learning and well-being. Parents report positively on the childminder's care and of the progress children make. They comment on how supportive the childminder is to them as a whole family. Parents say they receive plenty of information from the childminder about the children's daily activities and general care practices. They feel well informed about their children's overall development. This develops strong parent partnerships around the children's learning and well-being. n On occasion, the childminder does not plan her curriculum intentions as precisely as possible, to include all children's differing ages and stages of learning when providing activities. This does not impact on children's enjoyment or attitude to learning as there are a wide range of resources constantly available, which

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need to do better?

children explore freely. However, during some focused activities, the childminder does not follow her curriculum intentions as precisely as possible to ensure they meet the differing ages and abilities of the children. This does not consistently support children to make the best possible progress.

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need to do better?

26 March 2025 n Children are keen learners and the childminder encourages children's sensory play. They excitedly use different textures, placing farm animals in pretend mud and then washing them in the soapy water. Children excitedly tell the childminder, 'I'm making the pigs all muddy.' The childminder encourages the children to talk about what ingredients they have used, such as chocolate. This helps to develop children's imagination. n Children learn good hygiene routines and how to keep themselves healthy. They wash their hands after using the toilet and before meals. The childminder talks to children about healthy eating and how making healthy choices helps to 'make you grow up big and strong'. As a result, children develop good habits to keep themselves healthy. n The childminder generally supports children's communication and language well. She builds on children's speech and language skills by, for instance, using simple

p.2

need to do better?

sentences and introducing words. Children repeat new words and receive praise. Children have great fun as they sing 'Old MacDonald's Farm' and listen to the childminder enthusiastically reading 'Wonky Donkey'. However, there are times when the childminder does not give children enough time to process new information or think about what has just been said. This means that, sometimes, children do not respond, or they lose focus during a conversation. n The childminder knows the children very well. She completes thorough assessments of children's learning and uses these, as well as information gathered from parents, to provide opportunities that build on children's past experiences and give them essential knowledge for future success. When children require additional support in their learning and development, the childminder works closely with parents to direct them to other professionals as necessary. Subsequently, all children make good progress in their learning.

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need to do better?

n The childminder is reflective in her practice. She takes effective steps to keep her knowledge and skills up to date. For instance, she regularly attends online webinars to ensure she is up to date with new legislation. She has also researched strategies to support children with speech and language difficulties and promoting positive play.

p.3

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

p.3

Safeguarding

There is an open and positive culture around safeguarding that puts children's interests first.

p.3

should:

n focus more on the identified learning intentions for children's differing ages and stages of development during planned activities to fully support their progress

p.3

should:

26 March 2025 n improve opportunities for children to further develop their thinking and conversational skills.

p.3

Setting details

Unique reference number EY281225 Local authority Oxfordshire Inspection number 10376151 Type of provision Childminder

p.5

Registers

Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register Day care type Childminder

p.5

inspection

Total number of places 6 Number of children on roll 6 Date of previous inspection 20 May 2019

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2004. She lives in Kidlington, Oxford. She offers care from Monday to Thursday, 8am to 5pm, term time only. The childminder holds a relevant qualification at level 3. The childminder provides funded early education for children from nine months to four years of age.

p.5

Inspection activities

n The childminder and the inspector discussed how the childminder organises her early years provision, including the aims and rationale for the early years foundation stage curriculum. n The inspector observed the quality of education being provided 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 carried out a joint observation with the childminder. 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

26 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

26 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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