Ruddock-Smith, Emma

Overall effectiveness Good

The quality of education Good Behaviour and attitudes Good Personal development Good Leadership and management Good Overall effectiveness at previous inspection Not applicable

p.1

The provision is good

Children's experiences in the care of this nurturing childminder are engaging and exciting. From the outset, the kind and caring childminder builds trusting relationships with children and their families. This means children and their parents feel welcomed and valued. Children are safe and happy. They readily seek the childminder out for comfort and reassurance if they feel they need this. There are many humorous moments which they enjoy together. The children show their developing sense of fun and together they giggle, laugh and share a joke with the childminder. This creates a wonderfully happy atmosphere.

p.2

The provision is good

The childminder's home and the dedicated play areas for children are thoughtfully organised. They reflect children's evolving interests and offer a wide range of engaging and meaningful learning opportunities. This helps children become motivated to explore, develop new skills and grow in confidence. The childminder places a strong emphasis on enabling children to gain the skills and knowledge they need to be school ready.

p.2

The provision is good

Children behave very well. The childminder acts as a positive role model and sets clear and consistent boundaries. Children respond well and demonstrate kindness, good manners and cooperation. Their emotional well-being is supported when their efforts and achievements are celebrated with smiles, encouragement and positive interactions, such as giving 'high fives'.

p.2

need to do better?

n The qualified and experienced childminder has a secure understanding of how young children learn. She gathers meaningful information from parents and uses ongoing observations to assess children's development accurately. This enables her to identify children's next steps. Additionally, she can see any areas where children may need additional support. The childminder provides targeted activities to help them achieve and make good progress in their learning. n Children show that they are excited to learn and participate in activities that build on their interest. The childminder asks questions and sensitively follows children's lead. For instance, children take an interest learning about the colour green. The childminder supports children to use other colours when they choose to do so. This helps to build on children's creativity. The childminder offers good quality teaching. She recognises the need to ensure that children fully

p.2

need to do better?

understand what they are able to do and make the most of all spontaneous learning. n The childminder provides a wide range of real-life experiences that successfully broaden children's understanding of the world around them. She takes every opportunity to build on their natural curiosity. For instance, children have been

p.2

need to do better?

30 June 2025 learning about the lifecycle of the butterfly. They studied how the caterpillars turned into butterflies before releasing them in the garden. The childminder supports children to recall this learning as they talk together. This consolidates learning and enhances children's knowledge of nature and the environment. n Children's communication and language skills are effectively supported by the childminder. She skilfully follows steps to help children acquire new language. For example, the childminder sings songs with children using expressive tones. This engages children who happily sing along and do the actions. Children love to look at books and listen to stories. They become immersed in the pictures and listen attentively. Ongoing conversations with children are a key way the childminder extends their vocabulary. n Relationships with parents are built on trust and mutual respect. Parents are

p.2

need to do better?

very happy with the education and care their children receive. They comment positively about their children's progress. They are particularly thrilled with the wide range of outings their children go on. The childminder shares information through a monthly newsletter, daily diaries and photographs. Parents love how happy their children are in the care of the childminder. n Children are supported to become increasingly independent through everyday routines. They self-select activities and resources and they access their own water bottles when they are thirsty. The childminder uses her good teaching strategies to encourage children to think about how they can solve problems for themselves. n Children benefit from outings which promote their physical and social development. They enjoy regular visits to local parks, farms and playgroups. The childminder also plans activities which help children to learn about the wider

p.3

need to do better?

world. For example, she planned a theme of European food week. Children tried foods from a different country each day. They discovered that tzatziki and hummus were a favourite and now they regularly enjoy these at snack time with vegetable sticks.

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 enrich children's inquisitive imaginations even further and support them to fully understand what they are able to do, including during spontaneous learning.

p.3

Setting details

Unique reference number 2738690 Local authority Wakefield Inspection number 10409574 Type of provision Childminder

p.4

Registers

Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register Day care type Childminder

p.4

inspection

Total number of places 6 Number of children on roll 8 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

p.4

Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2023 and lives in Normanton, Wakefield. She operates all year round from 7.30am to 5.30pm, Monday to Friday, except for bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder holds appropriate qualifications at level 6. The childminder provides government-funded education to children.

p.4

Inspection activities

n The childminder showed the inspector the premises and discussed how they ensure they are safe and suitable. 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 spoke with the inspector during the inspection. n The inspector observed the quality of education being provided, indoors and outdoors, and assessed the impact that this was having on children's learning. n Parents shared their views of the setting with the inspector. n The childminder provided the inspector with a sample of key documentation on request.

p.4

Inspection activities

30 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.

p.4

Inspection activities

30 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.

p.5

Inspection activities

If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 1231, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk .

p.6

Inspection activities

You may reuse this information (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. To view this licence, visit www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/ , write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk

p.6

Inspection activities

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more information and updates: http://eepurl.com/iTrDn .

p.6

Inspection activities

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

p.6