Childminder in Hampshire

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 form strong, trusting bonds with the childminder and show they feel safe and secure in her warm, home-from-home environment. They settle quickly and demonstrate high levels of enthusiasm as they engage in the wide range of activities on offer. For instance, they become absorbed in imaginative play and pretend to prepare and cook meals. The childminder uses children's interests to extend their learning, such as discussing the importance of healthy food choices. This promotes children's health and well-being effectively.

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The provision is good

The childminder places a strong emphasis on promoting children's independence and supporting their personal, social and emotional development. She offers a wide range of engaging experiences that encourage children to explore the wider world. For example, outings to the library, farms and museums provide opportunities for children to meet new people and enjoy rich social interactions. Additionally, children attend play-based groups, where they build friendships with others and strengthen their social skills. These varied and meaningful experiences help to boost children's confidence and prepare them well for their transition to school.

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The provision is good

The childminder is a good role model and sets a positive example through her own actions. She gently encourages children to take responsibility for tidying up after activities, which promotes a sense of ownership and care for their surroundings. Children respond enthusiastically and show a willingness to help. They are learning to value their environment and handle resources with care and respect.

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need to do better?

n The childminder knows children well. She regularly observes their play, and she uses this information to provide a broad and interesting curriculum that builds on what they already know and can do. For instance, she uses children's love of books and stories to help build on their speech and language development. n The childminder's method of reading is captivating. She utilises props, such as figures from 'The Hungry Caterpillar', to enhance children's involvement in storytelling. Children ask for the story repeatedly. They learn new words, such as 'cocoon', and confidently recite familiar phrases. This helps to extend their vocabulary highly effectively. n Children gain good mathematical skills through hands-on experiences. For instance, the childminder supports their understanding of shape and size as they build constructions. She encourages them to make predictions and introduces mathematical language such as 'bigger' and 'smaller', which helps to deepen

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need to do better?

their understanding. n The childminder offers a range of activities that spark children's curiosity and interest. For example, children focus intently as they explore tools and create

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need to do better?

21 May 2025 patterns with paint. However, opportunities for children to think through and express their own ideas for themselves are more limited. For instance, the childminder shows children how to construct a house for their pretend bugs without asking them how they might approach it first. n Regular visits, such as to a baby gym, local woods and parks, provide opportunities for children to explore and learn new skills. The childminder gives children encouragement to safely navigate and explore a wider range of equipment and resources within these diverse environments. This helps to promote their awareness of personal safety. n The childminder has high expectations for children's behaviour and sets clear rules and boundaries to guide them. For instance, she gently reminds children to sit still while eating and clearly explains why this is important. Children respond positively and thrive on the ample praise and encouragement they receive from

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need to do better?

the childminder. n The childminder promotes children's awareness of different cultures and religions. She weaves a wide range of festivals and traditions into everyday routines and learning experiences across the year. This helps to deepen children's understanding of similarities and differences between themselves and others. n The childminder shares children's ongoing progress and next steps with their parents. This supports continuity in their child's care and learning. However, she does not share information about children's development with all other settings that children attend. This would help her form an overall picture of children's development. n The childminder consistently reflects on her practice to drive continuous improvement. She actively seeks the views of both parents and children to inform her self-evaluation and enhance the quality of her provision. She places a strong emphasis on ongoing professional development and shares new

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need to do better?

knowledge with families, such as on safer eating practices. This collaborative approach supports parents in promoting their children's safety at home.

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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 provide children with time to express their own thoughts and ideas, to further extend their interests and learning

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should:

21 May 2025 n develop links with staff at other early years settings children attend, to build the strongest picture of children's learning and further support their ongoing progress.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY545673 Local authority Hampshire Inspection number 10394884 Type of provision Childminder

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Registers

Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register Day care type Childminder

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inspection

Total number of places 6 Number of children on roll 2 Date of previous inspection 30 September 2019

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2017 and lives in the village of Grately, near Andover, Hampshire. She provides care Monday to Friday from 8am to 6pm, all year round. The childminder provides government funded childcare. She holds a relevant level 3 childcare qualification.

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Inspection activities

n The childminder and the inspector discussed how the childminder organises their early years provision, including the aims and rationale for their early years foundation stage curriculum. n Children communicated with the inspector during the inspection. n The childminder and inspector discussed how the curriculum had been implemented and the impact that this had on children's learning. n The inspector took into account the written views of parents. n The childminder provided the inspector with a sample of key documentation on request.

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Inspection activities

21 May 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

21 May 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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