Eales, Claire Louise

Overall effectiveness Outstanding

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

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The provision is outstanding

Children have formed extremely positive attachments with the highly attentive childminder. They are happily settled and flourish in her care. This supports their emotional well-being exceptionally well. Children benefit from the extremely well- planned learning environment and innovative play experiences created by the childminder. For example, they learn about the life cycle of a frog, following a fascinating trip to the country park where they observed frogs in their natural habitat. Children are very eager and highly motivated to learn. They explore a range of enticing resources and natural materials, such as basil seeds that look like frogspawn. Older children enthusiastically discuss their mathematical ideas about quantities with the childminder. For instance, they say there are 'lots'. Children consolidate and deepen their understanding of the world around them. They consistently refer to well-chosen books and visual aids during activities, such as

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The provision is outstanding

recipe cards to make play dough, provided by the childminder. This creates a language-rich environment, which lays the foundations for children's excellent communication and literacy skills.

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The provision is outstanding

Children respond positively to the childminder's consistent praise for their achievements and grow hugely in confidence during social situations. For instance, they cooperate harmoniously with each other, sharing the vet's equipment with their friends during role play. Children show they feel safe and secure, and they behave exceptionally well. They take genuine pride in their artwork and talk with the childminder about the pink cherry blossom trees they have seen on an outing. Children develop an understanding of their own unique talents through their journals, craftwork and the rich experiences the childminder provides.

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need to do better?

n The childminder has developed strong supportive relationships with parents. She regularly keeps them updated about all aspects of their children's care and education, which supports learning at home. Parents share information about their child's interests and what they know and can do, when they first start. This helps the childminder plan activities to settle children and design an ambitious curriculum from the outset. n The childminder consistently uses high-quality interactions as she plays alongside children. For example, younger children impressively copy the words 'mix' and 'roll', when repeated in a rhyme by the childminder during play dough activities. They build rapidly on their growing vocabulary. Older children very confidently ask the childminder questions about what a box on the side of a toy railway building is, and learn that it is a 'tannoy'. The childminder speaks into the toy phone and calls out, 'All aboard!', to elaborate on their pretend play.

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need to do better?

n The childminder places a high focus on supporting children's physical skills. For

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need to do better?

10 April 2025 instance, children excitedly pour and mix ingredients together with a long- handled spoon to make play dough. Children superbly develop good hand control and coordination. The childminder stimulates younger children's early interest in making marks. For example, she shows children how to press a toy frog's foot into the play dough to make a frog footprint. Children build sequentially on their knowledge and skills. n The childminder implements the curriculum intent for children's mathematical development securely and consistently through the various activities she plans. She uses explicit teaching to help children count accurately, for example lining up and pointing to toy frogs and rabbits cut out of play dough. Children sustain high levels of concentration and demonstrate an excellent attitude towards learning. The impact of teaching is highly effective and contributes to fully embedding the curriculum intent.

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need to do better?

n The childminder successfully gives children an awareness of families and communities different to their own. She helps children learn about an extensive range of religious festivals and national days. For example, children enjoy baking heart cookies and wearing red on World Heart Day to inspire others. The childminder helps children develop caring attitudes and empathy for those who are less fortunate. For example, children have participated in a reindeer charity walk to think about others. n Children choose from a range of nutritious snacks, such as fruit and breadsticks. They help with the preparation of meals, such as cutting up their bananas with a safety knife. Children are highly independent. The childminder uses every opportunity to progress children's mathematical learning through daily routines. For instance, she encourages children to count backwards as they eat their breadsticks. This further advances their understanding of number. The

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need to do better?

childminder helps children quickly gain outstanding confidence and skills to manage their own personal hygiene needs. n The childminder is passionate about maintaining her outstanding practice. She undertakes training to consistently think of ways to make even further improvements to the teaching of the curriculum. For instance, the childminder searches for inspiring activity ideas. She meets up with other local childminders to share ideas and continue to enhance her practice.

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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 EY460724 Local authority West Sussex Inspection number 10394770 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 10 Date of previous inspection 24 September 2019

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2013 and lives in Horsham, West Sussex. She operates Monday to Thursday, from 7.45am until 6pm, all year round. The childminder offers government funded places for children aged from nine months up to four years. She has a relevant level 3 qualification in childcare.

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Inspection activities

n The inspector talked to the childminder about her curriculum and what she wants children to learn. n The inspector observed the interactions between the childminder and the children. n The inspector carried out a joint observation of an activity with the childminder. n The inspector observed the quality of education being provided indoors and assessed the impact that this was having on children's learning. n Parents shared their views about the childminder's service with the inspector. n The childminder provided the inspector with a sample of key documentation on request.

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Inspection activities

10 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

10 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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