Childminder in West Sussex

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

The childminder provides a warm and loving environment for babies and children. She builds strong, affectionate bonds with them. Babies benefit from close contact and cuddles when they become upset. The childminder's calm and caring approach helps the children feel safe and secure in her care. She encourages them to explore and learn through play and promotes children's independence through a range of age-appropriate activities that engage children. For instance, children help tidy away the toys they have been playing with.

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The provision is good

The childminder is a positive role model and has high expectations for children's behaviour. She is gentle and kind and very respectful of children's feelings. Children behave very well. They are well-mannered, and the childminder teaches them how to care for each other.

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The provision is good

Children enjoy the activities which the childminder has prepared for them. The childminder uses a range of skills to help support babies' emerging communication skills. For example, she mirrors the sounds that they make. She slows down her language and gives babies plenty of time to respond. The childminder offers additional support where needed. This ensures that all children make progress from their starting points.

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need to do better?

n The childminder provides a balanced curriculum that she adapts to the ages and stages of individual children. For example, she prioritises communication and physical development for babies, such as new vocabulary and walking. Older children are encouraged to count and name the shapes they see during play. The childminder reads books to children, which ignites their imaginations as they are encouraged to contribute their thoughts. Children develop good literacy skills. n The childminder provides sensory experiences that encourage babies to explore with curiosity. For example, babies show delight while exploring paint with their hands. However, at times, the childminder does not have a clear intent for what she wants children to learn. This means that planned activities do not consistently align with children's current learning needs. Therefore, some adult- led learning is often incidental rather than purposeful.

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need to do better?

n The childminder supports children's independence skills well. For example, she encourages children to manage small tasks, such as feeding themselves and preparing their own snack. They safely use knives to cut up fruit and vegetables. The environment is organised so that children can easily access toys and help themselves to resources. Children are learning to be independent in their self- care. This helps prepare them for their future learning, such as starting nursery

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need to do better?

10 June 2025 or school. n Children are developing an awareness of the importance of leading a healthy lifestyle. The childminder provides a range of healthy snacks, as well as providing daily opportunities for children to take part in physical activities. They have access to a garden to run around in the fresh air. Children learn how to take care of their teeth through discussions and a range of oral health activities that the childminder has prepared for them. They visit parks and negotiate large play equipment. This helps support children's large muscle development. n The childminder generally provides a high level of care for children. She regularly shares information with parents who provide extremely positive feedback about her provision. Although the childminder ensures that mandatory training is up to date, she has not considered other professional development to enhance her teaching skills. As a result, there are some gaps in the childminder's knowledge

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need to do better?

on how to precisely target her planning to positively impact children's learning. n Children have access to a large range of experiences that they may not previously have had. To enhance the children's social skills, the childminder takes children to mix with larger groups of children. Children enjoy travelling on buses and trains and have regular opportunities to play on the nearby beach. The childminder often invites parents to accompany her on outings, such as taking the ferry to the Isle of Wight. Children enjoy participating in activities and celebrations that expose them to cultures and faiths other than their own.

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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 plan even more precisely for every child, to continually build on and extend their learning further n identify training and development needs to help strengthen knowledge and raise the quality of the provision further.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 113912 Local authority West Sussex Inspection number 10388504 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 4 Date of previous inspection 15 July 2019

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2001 and lives in Littlehampton, West Sussex. She operates all year round from 7.30am to 6pm, Monday to Friday. The childminder holds a relevant qualification at level 3. She provides government funded early education places for children aged from nine months to four years.

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Inspection activities

n The inspector viewed the provision and discussed the safety and suitability of the premises. n The childminder and the inspector discussed how the childminder organises their early years provision. n The childminder explained how she organises routines to meet children's care needs. n The childminder provided the inspector with a sample of key documentation on request. n The inspector took into account the views of parents.

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Inspection activities

10 June 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 June 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

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/ofsted

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