Childminder in Bath and North East Somerset

Overall effectiveness Outstanding

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

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The provision is outstanding

The childminder supports children's personal, social and emotional development superbly. Children build strong bonds with her and beneficial friendships with each other. The childminder patiently helps children appreciate the implications of their choices. Children take turns; they thoughtfully consider their friend's preferences and choose another colour plate to let their friend have the pink one. Young children usefully link emotions to colours, discussing these confidently using their own words, such as green means they feel relaxed. Children gain exceptional skills, developing confidence in their decisions and showing consideration for others.

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The provision is outstanding

The childminder focuses closely on each child's individual needs. She thoughtfully sequences her curriculum, linking activities and areas of her provision to help children learn about concepts in different ways. Children beneficially consolidate their learning as the childminder links to children's previous experiences. For example, children enjoy regularly visiting the local farm shop with the childminder. Children then play imaginatively in the thoughtfully created farm shop in the childminder's garden or act out running a cafe. They explore different fruit and vegetables, marvelling at the different characteristics as they squeeze out pomegranate seeds or excitedly find the stone in the middle of an avocado, saying, 'Look it's a nut.' Children show strong and confident exploration of new things alongside the very attentive support from the childminder. She inspires their curiosity, and they show perseverance and a strong desire to achieve as they peel

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need to do better?

n The childminder provides children with inspiring and inviting areas, which are exceptionally well thought out to motivate children to explore and develop their skills. She sets out resources thoughtfully across the different areas in her garden, which are linked to children's current fascinations. Children relish cosy play with baby dolls in the 'hut' in the garden. The childminder sensitively and skilfully interacts with them and beneficially links these to their relevant life experiences, such as the arrival of new siblings. n The childminder attentively follows children's interests. She is a fun play partner and inspires their exploration and ideas further. Children have great fun making pretend ice cream with shaving foam and carefully use pipettes to add paint as 'sauce'. The childminder extends their exploration as she models making marks in the foam on the tray. Children copy and make lines, shapes and talk about

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need to do better?

letters, gaining highly useful skills in readiness for early writing. n Children spend considerable time outside. They develop their physical strength and coordination excellently. The childminder helps children understand and manage risks as they navigate uneven ground in the woodland and negotiate

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need to do better?

3 July 2025 the small steps in the garden. She offers challenge adeptly, focusing and channelling children's energy, and adapts her teaching and support to consistently teach them new concepts and challenge their skills. For example, she inspires children to have balance bike races and introduces aspects such as a 'head start' for younger children. n The childminder cleverly threads support for children's mathematics skills through activities and their play. Young children learn about 'half' and 'whole'. They count with the childminder's support to make sure they touch and count each shell. She encourages them to take time to notice and think, such as to feel how heavy the container of sand is or how light the empty cup is. As children find feathers in the woodland, the childminder encourages them to compare the sizes, and they say, 'This is from a big bird.' n The childminder provides excellent opportunities for children to broaden their

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need to do better?

knowledge and experiences. She inspires a love of the outdoors and nature. Children pick fresh mint from the garden. They rinse this and add it to their water, learning words such as 'fresh' as the childminder describes how she thinks it tastes. The childminder encourages children to use their senses effectively out in the nearby woodland. For example, children discuss which type of bird they can hear and comment, 'A black one.' n The childminder's exceptional links with parents and her very conscientious support for home learning help children continue to develop strong skills out of her provision too. She conscientiously shares relevant new knowledge with parents to support children's learning at home, such as dental guidance and resources for supporting children's oral health. Parents are full of praise for her support and advice. They say she constantly goes above and beyond in the work she does for their children.

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need to do better?

n The childminder is passionate about her work and is highly reflective, constantly evaluating the effectiveness of her provision. She has a considerable amount of experience but continues to undertake training and professional research, using new knowledge in a purposeful way to enhance what she provides for the children. For example, she has used ideas from communication focused training to provide more 'cosy spaces' outdoors and encourage children's self-led play, language and conversation even more.

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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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Setting details

Unique reference number EY101658 Local authority Bath and North East Somerset Council Inspection number 10399126 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 12 Date of previous inspection 20 November 2019

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2002 and lives in Midsomer Norton, Bath and North East Somerset. She operates from 7.30am to 5.30pm, Tuesday to Thursday, all year round. The childminder holds an appropriate qualification at level 3. She works with her husband, who is her assistant. The childminder provides government funded places.

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Inspection activities

n The inspector viewed the areas used for childminding and discussed with the childminder how she implements the educational programmes for the children. n The childminder and the inspector evaluated the effectiveness of an activity together. n The inspector observed the children and the childminder and spoke with them at appropriate times during the inspection. n The inspector considered the views of parents by reading reviews and feedback shared with the childminder. n Relevant documentation was reviewed by the inspector, including suitability checks and paediatric first-aid qualifications, and the childminder discussed her procedures for safeguarding the children.

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Inspection activities

3 July 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

3 July 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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