Childminder in Camden

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 thrive in this homely, stimulating environment. The childminding team has close, warm bonds with children, and it values each child highly. The childminder and her team get down to children's level, smile and use warm tones of voice when interacting with children. The childminder takes time to settle children in and finds out about their favourite toys and the ways they like to be comforted. The childminder uses this information to provide routines and activities that meet children's needs well. She has high expectations of children and manages their behaviour successfully. Children behave in positive ways.

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The provision is good

Activities are broad and balanced, and all children make good progress. The childminder supports children's communication, language and literacy skills well. She talks to children throughout the day and teaches younger children the names of common objects. The childminder reads stories and sings songs and rhymes to children so that they learn new words. Children gain good language and literacy skills. The childminder helps children to gain a good understanding of the world. She plants strawberries and sunflowers with children to teach them how things grow. The childminder teaches children about people who help us, such as fire fighters and doctors. She does this through informative discussion and storytelling.

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need to do better?

n Children learn to do things for themselves. They practise cutting pretend fruit using wooden knives. The childminder then gives children real fruit, which they cut confidently using plastic knives for their snack. She teaches children how to put on their coats and shoes, and children help to tidy up after play. They learn to take turns as they play simple board games. n The childminder keeps parents well informed of children's progress. She shares regular updates with them when they arrive each day and sends secure electronic messages. The childminder works with parents effectively to support children's development in areas such as potty training and eating well. n The childminder is committed to maintaining and improving her skills and the knowledge of the team. She keeps their first-aid and safeguarding knowledge up to date by going on regular courses. The childminder reflects on her work regularly and identifies areas for improvement. She monitors and supports the

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need to do better?

work of the team effectively. She holds regular discussions to talk about and support their work. n Children gain good mathematical skills. They learn to identify numerals as they complete simple puzzles. The childminder teaches children how to count reliably as they play a magnetic toy fishing game. She teaches children comparative language as she measures children's height against a tree, using mathematical language such as 'taller' and 'shorter'.

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need to do better?

17 April 2025 n The childminder is aware of how to support children with special educational needs and/or disabilities by seeking appropriate advice. She understands the importance of sharing information with parents and other professionals to provide activities that meet children's needs. The childminder has a good understanding of children's needs and acts appropriately to close any gaps in their learning. n The childminder stores children's packed lunches appropriately and provides nutritious snacks that meet special dietary needs. She talks with children about the value of eating well. The childminder provides activities for children to practise tooth brushing on tooth and gum models. She reads stories to children about how to keep teeth healthy, and children gain oral hygiene awareness. n The childminder regards children's safety with high importance. She teaches children how to use the garden steps safely and discusses road safety with

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need to do better?

them. Children act in safe ways. The childminder carries out daily checks covering inside her home and the garden to reduce the risk of hazards. n The outdoor area has good challenges for older children. They balance along planks, learn to climb across frames and descend slides. Younger children enjoy crawling on mats and rolling balls. However, the curriculum for younger children to practise and develop a wide range of physical skills is not fully developed. n The childminder offers a range of activities that capture children's enjoyment and interest. However, opportunities for children to learn to solve problems for themselves are more limited. For instance, the childminder presents sticks and shows children how to make a stick man without asking them how they might approach it first.

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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 tailor professional development more precisely to extend knowledge on how to enhance the physical development of younger children n strengthen the curriculum to develop children's problem-solving skills further.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 102036 Local authority Camden Inspection number 10375914 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 12 Number of children on roll 6 Date of previous inspection 9 May 2019

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 1999. She lives in Hampstead in the London Borough of Camden. The childminder provides care for children from Monday to Friday, from 8am to 5.30pm, all year round, and the setting is closed on public bank holidays. The childminder provides government-funded childcare places. She works with assistants.

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Inspection activities

n The childminder talked to the inspector about how she organises her provision, and about her curriculum, while the inspector viewed the premises. n The childminder carried out a planned activity and evaluated this with the inspector. n The inspector spoke to the childminder and the children at appropriate times during the inspection. n The inspector viewed some documentation and held a discussion with the childminder. She read written feedback from the children's parents.

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Inspection activities

17 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

17 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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