Hardiman, Janet Mary

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 childminder has clear intentions for children's learning. She plans and delivers an ambitious curriculum that is broad and specific to the needs of every child. Children gain exceptional skills that set them up superbly for their future learning. Children demonstrate excellent focus and attention when they persevere with the fiddly task of dressing dolls. The childminder recognises the importance of allowing children time before intervening, helping them to build resilience and confidence. The childminder consistently communicates with children, and they benefit from a superbly language-rich environment. Younger children babble to each other and begin to say key words, such as 'bye, bye'. The childminder skilfully encourages children to widen their vocabulary when purposefully naming objects incorrectly, for example, when saying, 'I like your digger', children say, 'it's a dumper truck'. This promotes children's critical thinking skills. During snack time, younger children

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The provision is outstanding

repeat one, two, three, as they count each other. Older children use language, such as one more and how many. Children demonstrate awareness of early mathematical language from a young age.

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The provision is outstanding

The childminder is an excellent role model for children. She implements high expectations for children's behaviour through gentle reminders, helping them to know what is expected of them. The childminder consistently encourages children to be kind and caring. For example, children hold the gate open for their friends and excitedly call their names to come and play as they arrive. Younger children cuddle older children, as they begin to look up to them as role models. Children display high levels of emotional security and close relationships with the childminder. Children demonstrate strong motivation and positive attitudes towards their learning.

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need to do better?

n The childminder has excellent knowledge of how children learn and knows their needs thoroughly. She consistently remains ambitious for what children can achieve. Children lead their learning, suggesting activities they would like to play with and quickly become engrossed in their exploration. The childminder uses skilful interactions to naturally build on what children already know and can do. For example, when children confidently name planets and say, 'We live on Earth', the childminder explains that blue is the sea and green is the land. This deepens children's knowledge and maximises their learning. Children make rapid progress in their development. n When children start, the childminder gathers detailed information about children's development, helping to create robust starting points for their learning. The childminder completes effective observations and assessments of children's learning. This supports the childminder to implement well-targeted

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need to do better?

7 April 2025 next steps for children. n The childminder places focus on supporting children's early reading and writing skills. Children develop their awareness of sounds and show emerging interest in stories and initial letter sounds. For example, children independently sit and look through books that capture their attention, and they tell their own stories using the pictures they see. Older children confidently form letters and write their own names, excelling their readiness for school. n The curriculum strongly supports children's independence and self-care from a young age. For instance, children know to wash their hands before mealtimes, and older children attend to their own toileting needs. Children understand the importance of brushing their teeth and how to make healthy food choices. Children quickly learn how to lead healthy lifestyles, developing confidence and independence in their personal care.

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need to do better?

n Children have an array of opportunities to widen their understanding of the world. The childminder embeds a variety of experiences for children to enjoy and learn from, such as dance workshops, French lessons, and visitors to the setting who play the piano and sing. Children learn about various cultures and festivals, including Italian and German days, Diwali and trying foods from around the world. Children develop an excellent and age-appropriate understanding of diversity and culture. n The childminder is proactive in seeking out opportunities to advance her excellent knowledge and skills. For example, recent training on the development of babies has helped her to gain a deeper knowledge on supporting babies learning right from the start. Alongside this, the childminder continues to strive to enhance her practice further by remaining up to date with current practice. This helps the childminder to maintain a fresh and motivated approach to her

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need to do better?

roles and responsibilities. The childminder regularly monitors the practice of staff through observations and discussions. This helps to identify specific training needs, in order to support children further, maintaining a high-quality learning environment. n The childminder works tirelessly to involve parents in their child's learning. Parents report that they feel extremely well informed about their child's development. The childminder meticulously keeps parents updated on a weekly basis about the curriculum intent and actively seeks and values their input. She invites parents to share their talents with children and organises events to celebrate children's achievements. Parents describe how the 'nurturing and cosy' environment helps their children to flourish.

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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 141049 Local authority Dorset Inspection number 10394647 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 9 Date of previous inspection 18 September 2019

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 1982. She lives in Shaftesbury, Dorset and employs an assistant. The childminder operates from 8am to 5pm, on Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays, all year round. The childminder holds a qualification at level 3 and her assistant holds qualified teacher status. The setting offers government funded places.

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Inspection activities

n The childminder and the inspector discussed how the curriculum has been implemented and the impact that this has on children's learning. n The childminder showed the inspector the premises and discussed how she ensures that they are safe and suitable. n Children spoke with the inspector during the inspection. n The inspector observed the interactions between the childminder, the staff 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

7 April 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

7 April 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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