Childminder in Islington

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 settled at the setting and demonstrate positive attitudes towards learning. They move around the environment with confidence and concentrate well, choosing what they want to play with.

p.2

The provision is good

The childminder is a good role model and promotes positive behaviour. She encourages children to share and take turns, and she makes good use of praise. Children consistently show kindness to others and behave very well. Children praise each other's achievements. For example, when children eat without any spillages, other children praise them for being careful.

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The provision is good

The childminder's curriculum focuses on supporting children's communication and language, independence, and personal, social and emotional development. She provides a wide range of experiences to enhance the curriculum. The childminder organises a variety of outings and extends children's knowledge about diversity in their day-to-day learning. Children learn about cultural festivals and about different families, for example, by exploring a range of books. They play with small-world figures representing different abilities. This helps children develop an appreciation of everyone's unique qualities and differences.

p.2

The provision is good

Children are imaginative, play cooperatively and thoroughly enjoy role play. They help each other while 'feeding' dolls and changing their 'nappies', commenting, 'Careful not to put her head upside down. It is dangerous.'

p.2

need to do better?

n The childminder offers a balanced curriculum based on the children's needs and interests. She uses her observations and assessments, including the progress check, to plan their next steps. The childminder shares these with parents. All children make progress from their starting points. n Children show good motor skills. They enjoy riding pedal cars and tricycles, negotiating space in the well-equipped garden. Children also access a range of physical activities to help strengthen the small muscles in their hands. For example, they use their fingers to pick up small objects in the sensory trays. n The childminder supports children to develop early mathematical skills. She uses singing time to reinforce counting. For example, she demonstrates the correct number of fingers to represent a number as she sings counting songs, such as 'Five Little Ducks'. The childminder encourages children to recognise numerals in

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need to do better?

the environment. n Children learn to lead a healthy and active lifestyle. They enjoy fresh air and energetic play daily in the childminder's well-equipped garden. The childminder provides nutritious home-cooked meals, catering to all children. They are

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need to do better?

11 June 2025 encouraged to keep hydrated throughout the day and independently reach for their cups. Children wash their hands regularly and build their self-care skills. n The childminder fosters children's language development. She consistently responds to what children say and extends their vocabulary. The childminder uses descriptive language and asks children questions to encourage them to think. Children enjoy stories and songs, which supports their early literacy skills further. n Children are motivated to learn and enjoy a range of activities planned on their interests and needs. However, the organisation and length of some group activities mean that children, occasionally, lose focus. This impacts on children's engagement in their learning. n The childminder evaluates her practice and regularly reviews her skills to further improve her quality of teaching. She attends training that is relevant to the

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need to do better?

children who attend her setting. For example, in anticipation of an intake of babies, she completed training to further enhance her knowledge of how to support their development. n Children demonstrate good behaviour. The childminder encourages them to look after the toys and to tidy up after they have finished playing with them. Children follow instructions and are respectful. The childminder regularly meets with other childminders and the children that they care for. This helps children to develop good social skills in larger groups. n The childminder's assistants help to supervise children during some activities. However, the childminder has not yet targeted training to support assistants in improving their practice. She has not ensured that they are always fully engaged as children interact with their surroundings. This means children do not consistently benefit from purposeful learning opportunities.

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need to do better?

n Parents are happy with the provision and praise the childminder's 'excellent communication'. They comment that they are very pleased with the progress their children make and that they will not send them 'anywhere else'.

p.3

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

p.3

Safeguarding

There is an open and positive culture around safeguarding that puts children's interests first.

p.3

should:

n review the organisation of some group activities to enable all children to remain focused and engaged in their learning n support assistants to have a clear understanding of their role and responsibilities to further enhance their interactions with children.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 133183 Local authority Islington Inspection number 10388621 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 4 Date of previous inspection 19 July 2019

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2001. She lives in Barnsbury, in the London Borough of Islington. The childminder operates all year round, from Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm, for most of the year, except for family holidays. She holds a childcare qualification at level 3 and, at times, she works with an assistant. The childminder provides government-funded early years education for all eligible children.

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Inspection activities

n The childminder and the inspector completed a learning walk together to discuss the childminder's intentions for the children's learning. n The inspector observed the quality of education being provided, indoors and outdoors, and assessed the impact that this is having on the children's learning. n The childminder and the inspector carried out a joint evaluation of an activity, and they discussed their findings. n The inspector took account of the views of parents spoken to on the day and parents' written feedback. n During the inspection, the inspector spoke to the childminder's assistant and interacted with the children. n The childminder provided the inspector with a sample of key documentation on request.

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Inspection activities

11 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

11 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

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