Botten, Lyndsay

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 confident in the childminder's care. They enter the playroom full of cheerfulness and energy. The childminder provides a range of resources that are accessible and challenging. Children choose their activities with confidence and remain focused on their play. This helps children develop a love of learning.

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The provision is good

The childminder creates a calm and respectful environment, reinforcing expectations through thoughtful interactions. She gives gentle reminders and regular praise. This helps children understand what good behaviour looks like. For example, the childminder encourages children to share magnetic shapes. They take turns choosing them, smiling as they play. As a result, children learn to make better choices when interacting with friends.

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The provision is good

Children are making good progress from their starting points. The childminder knows the children well and plans activities around their interests. Children join a planting activity with excitement. They explore the texture of the soil. The childminder supports them as they use different gardening tools. Children learn how to plant a seed. For example, they use the fork to fill their plant pot with soil. Children take their potted seeds home to care for. This teaches children about the plant life cycle and helps them learn more about the world.

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need to do better?

n Children have good opportunities to develop their communication and language skills. The childminder reads to them daily. To engage children's interest, she uses different voices and tones, as well as visual aids. The childminder shows a cat hand puppet that looks like the story's main character. Children enjoy playing with the puppet during the story. The childminder explains parts of the story using age-appropriate language. She asks questions and encourages children to repeat key words. This helps children learn new vocabulary and strengthens their communication skills. n The childminder promotes children's physical development through regular outdoor play. Children enjoy daily walks with the childminder. They climb on equipment at the park and ride trikes with confidence in the garden. For example, they zoom up and down the path, steering around obstacles. These activities promote children's coordination, help to strengthen their muscles and

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need to do better?

enhance their physical health. n The childminder prioritises children's well-being and dignity during nappy changes. She speaks in a soft tone and explains her actions. Children smile and chat with the childminder. This shows they feel relaxed and happy during the routine. The childminder encourages older children to play elsewhere during this

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need to do better?

28 April 2025 time. This maintains children's privacy during intimate care practices. This supports children's emotional security and promotes respectful care routines. n Children are building a strong understanding of early mathematical concepts through real-life experiences. The childminder helps children build on what they already know. She encourages them to apply their counting skills in new situations. For example, she counts aloud as children add blueberries to their plates. The children join in with confidence. When the childminder sings a number rhyme, the children recognise it and eagerly join in. These fun interactions help children strengthen their number skills. They also learn how to use mathematical language in daily life. n The childminder uses assessments well to guide her planning. She shares assessments with parents. She has a good understanding of each child's learning needs. However, at times, the childminder does not adjust activities enough to

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need to do better?

meet these needs. This can leave some children without the support or challenge they need. As a result, most-able children are not always challenged, while younger or less confident children find it difficult to stay engaged. This can limit the progress children make. n The childminder fosters strong partnerships with parents through open and regular communication. Parents describe the childminder as kind and caring. She shares details about children's routines, development and emotional needs, especially during transitions. This collaborative relationship helps children feel secure and supported. This supports children's emotional well-being. n Children follow clear care routines with growing independence. The childminder adapts expectations based on children's capabilities. For instance, older children wash their hands without help before meals. Meanwhile, the childminder helps younger children. This allows children to gain increasing responsibility for

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need to do better?

managing their personal needs. n The childminder is a reflective practitioner. She evaluates her provision using feedback from parents and observations of children. The childminder attends training to support the continuous improvement of the provision. Children enjoy and benefit from an environment that is always developing.

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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 adjust teaching strategies during activities to provide children with meaningful challenges and support.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY410995 Local authority Lincolnshire Inspection number 10388335 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 8 Number of children on roll 16 Date of previous inspection 8 July 2019

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2010 and lives in Skellingthorpe, Lincoln. She operates all year round, from 7am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, during term time, except for bank holidays and family holidays. During school holidays, operational hours are from 7am to 6pm, Monday to Thursday. The childminder holds an appropriate qualification at level 3. She provides funded early education for children from the ages of nine months to four years.

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Inspection activities

n The childminder and the inspector carried out a learning walk of the provision and discussed the early years curriculum. n The inspector communicated with the children throughout the inspection. n The inspector observed the quality of education and assessed the impact that this is having on the children's learning. n The childminder and the inspector completed a joint observation of an adult-led activity. n The inspector read emails and online reviews from parents and took account of their views. n The inspector spoke to the childminder throughout the inspection. n The inspector looked at relevant documentation and reviewed evidence of the childminder's suitability.

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Inspection activities

28 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

28 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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