Lucas, Samantha

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

Children flourish with this exceptionally caring and inspiring childminder. The childminder thoughtfully tailors settling sessions to suit each child's individual needs and family circumstances. She provides an inspiring learning environment to help children grow and learn. Her warm approach helps children feel safe and secure. Children show this as they confidently explore the inviting play opportunities the childminder provides. Children regularly go to the childminder and show their affection for her. The childminder consistently responds with wonderful words of praise, encouragement, and cuddles.

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The provision is outstanding

The childminder nurtures children's determination and resilience when they face challenges. She consistently encourages children to explore their own ideas and find out how things work. For instance, young children spend long amounts of time experimenting with bubble mixture and how much to use to blow the biggest bubbles. They persevere and squeal with joy when they succeed. They excitedly tell the childminder, 'Wow! I made lots. They're going up high in the sky.' This supports children's problem solving, perseverance, and thinking skills.

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The provision is outstanding

Children behave extremely well. They listen incredibly well to the childminder. They follow the rules and boundaries the childminder has embedded and show respect for the childminder and each other. The childminder uses a range of teaching strategies to successfully teach children how to share toys and equipment. She sensitively reminds children to say please and thank you and reminds children how to stay safe as they play. Young children show they understand how to look after themselves as they independently find their helmets when they play on the scooters.

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need to do better?

n All children benefit immensely from the childminder's ambitious and sequenced curriculum. The childminder is passionate about delivering a broad range of experiences for all children. She expertly delivers her curriculum to continually build on what children know and can do. The childminder uses regular assessments to accurately identify each child's individual needs and to swiftly identify any gaps in children's learning. She carefully plans activities that spark children's interests. For example, young children thoroughly enjoy learning how to plant seeds. They skilfully pinch the seeds and carefully shake them into the soil. They confidently use a range of vocabulary as they talk about what they are doing. For instance, young children say 'look, I'm sprinkling the water on the soil.' These extremely positive attitudes towards learning help children make exceptional progress. Children transition to school equipped with an abundance

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need to do better?

9 April 2025 n Interactions between the childminder and children are truly exceptional. The childminder uses every opportunity to engage with children as they play to extend their learning. She skilfully uses every moment as a teaching moment. She successfully balances this with giving children time to deeply immerse themselves in their own play and to explore and investigate the well-planned environment for themselves. n The childminder provides a rich set of experiences for children that promote an understanding of, and respect for, the environment, people, and communities in their own community and beyond. For example, children use a range of real tools when they visit the childminder's allotment to compost their food recycling. They regularly go to a local café to listen to volunteers read stories, visit farms, different parks, the library, and a local care home. n Relationships with parents are strong to ensure good continuity of learning for

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need to do better?

children. Parents praise the childminder for her nurturing approach and talk about how quickly their children settle and how happy their children are to come. Parents value the regular communication the childminder has with them about all aspects of children's care and education. They comment on how much progress children make especially their language, social skills, and confidence. n Children develop their communication skills exceptionally well. The childminder consistently uses an extensive range of vocabulary for children to hear. She expertly introduces and repeats new vocabulary. She skilfully waits for children to demonstrate their understanding of these new words when they use it later in their independent play. For example, young children confidently count as they walk along coloured balancing equipment. They proudly say 'I am on the balancing beam. I can do it. I can balance!' n Children demonstrate extremely high levels of independence. The childminder

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need to do better?

prioritises teaching children the self-care and independence skills they need. She consistently gives children opportunities to practice and master these skills. Young children independently wash their hands, chop their fruit using different cutting tools, and pull the zips on their coats for themselves. Very young children climb up and down steps, use the slide, ride scooters and refill their own water bottles without support or guidance from the childminder. n The childminder places high importance on her own learning and regularly attends training and uses any new knowledge to make a positive difference to children. She recently attended a behaviour management course to help support children who find regulating their emotions difficult.

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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 EY546650 Local authority Somerset Inspection number 10394638 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 18 Date of previous inspection 17 September 2019

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2017 and lives on the outskirts of Yeovil in Somerset. She provides care Monday to Friday from 7.30am to 5.30pm throughout the year. The childminder offers government funded places.

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Inspection activities

n The inspector viewed the provision and discussed the safety and suitability of the premises with the childminder. n The childminder joined the inspector on a learning walk and talked to the inspector about her curriculum and what she wants children to learn. n The childminder talked to the inspector throughout the inspection and discussed how her curriculum is planned and implemented and how children's progress is monitored. n The inspector spoke to parents and took their views into account. n Children talked to the inspector. n The inspector observed interactions between the childminder and children throughout the inspection.

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Inspection activities

9 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

9 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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