Lear, Helen Margaret

Overall effectiveness Good

The quality of education Good Behaviour and attitudes Good Personal development Good Leadership and management Good Overall effectiveness at previous inspection Inadequate

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The provision is good

The childminder offers a warm and welcoming environment. This enables children to be relaxed and have a sense of belonging. The childminder makes herself available to children at all times, resulting in children forming strong bonds with the childminder. They confidently separate from their parents and carers. Children look for affection from the childminder when they are tired. The childminder places a strong focus on children's behaviour. She consistently role models good behaviour and manners. Children learn to copy. They say please and thank you when the childminder reminds them. The childminder teaches children to share and take turns. She promptly intervenes when children do not share. Children listen and follow the childminder's instructions. They learn to understand what is right and what is wrong.

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The provision is good

The childminder uses her knowledge about children's starting points and family experiences to tailor the curriculum and teaching, providing support where it is needed the most. A large focus of her curriculum aims to promote children's social communication skills, independence and self-care skills, preparing them for school. When planning her broad curriculum, the childminder complements children's wider experiences through visits, such as to the park, playgroups and sometimes to a local care home. This helps children to develop an understanding of the wider community and how they fit into it.

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need to do better?

n The childminder has taken appropriate action since the last inspection to address the actions raised. She promptly sought advice from her local authority and implemented a review of her risk assessment procedures. The childminder demonstrates effective security arrangements to ensure all children are kept safe. n The childminder has completed relevant training to enhance the quality of care and education she provides. She positively reflects on her own practice, using research to improve her knowledge and better support individual children's development. For example, the childminder has completed a course to promote her understanding of how to use sign language. When she uses sign language alongside spoken words, she identifies how this supports children's understanding and ability to communicate their individual needs. n Information about children's progress and next steps in their learning and development is shared regularly with parents. This includes the progress check

p.2

need to do better?

when children are aged two years, which the childminder has reviewed and completed with parents since the last inspection. The childminder identifies children's learning needs and interests and plans activities that promote their learning and development effectively.

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need to do better?

20 June 2025 n Communication and language are strong. The childminder uses a wealth of language to engage in back-and-forth conversation with children. However, sometimes she does not always give children time to respond and think about their answers before asking another question. Consequently, they quickly forget what they have been asked and are sometimes unable to answer. n The childminder encourages children to gain their independence skills well, to develop important life skills. Children take pride as they complete small tasks. For example, they help get their lunch with the childminder. The childminder encourages children to wash their hands before mealtimes and wipe their faces after eating. This helps children to gain some necessary independence in managing their own self-care needs. n The childminder ensures children get plenty of fresh air and exercise that supports their physical health. Children move freely between the indoor and

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need to do better?

outdoor play spaces. They also access the large green outside the childminder's home and the play park, under the supervision of the childminder. n Feedback from parents is positive. They praise the childminder for her kind and caring approach. They highlight how well the childminder knows their children and targets support around their individual needs. They commend her safe approach to caring for children and say that children flourish in the home-from- home setting.

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 develop the use of questioning to ensure that children have time to think about, understand and respond to questions before being asked more questions.

p.3

Setting details

Unique reference number EY368631 Local authority Bath and North East Somerset Council Inspection number 10393322 Type of provision Childminder

p.4

Registers

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

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inspection

Total number of places 6 Number of children on roll 5 Date of previous inspection 30 January 2025

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2008 and lives in Radstock, North East Somerset. She operates all year round from 8am to 4pm, Monday, Wednesday and Friday and 8am to 5pm Tuesday and Thursday. The childminder offers government funded places.

p.4

Inspection activities

n The childminder and inspector completed a learning walk and discussed how the curriculum supports children's learning. n The inspector observed the quality of education during activities, indoors and outdoors, and assessed the impact that this was having on children's learning. n Children interacted with the inspector during the inspection. n The inspector carried out a joint evaluation of an activity with the childminder. n The inspector held discussions with the childminder and reviewed a sample of documentation. n Written feedback from parents was reviewed by the inspector, who took account of their views.

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Inspection activities

20 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

20 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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