Childminder in Suffolk

Overall effectiveness Outstanding

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

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The provision is outstanding

Children thrive in the childminder's care, benefitting from a well-planned Montessori approach that is expertly tailored to their individual needs. As a result, children consistently demonstrate high levels of progress across all areas of development. The childminder ensures that children experience a wealth of outdoor learning. Daily nature walks foster an excellent understanding of the local environment and the natural world. Enrichment activities, such as forest school sessions, dance classes and library visits, significantly broaden children's experiences.

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The provision is outstanding

Children demonstrate a genuine enjoyment of each other's company. The childminder is highly skilled in facilitating positive interactions, sensitively supporting children to communicate their needs. For example, she role models the words to use to tell another child why they do not like it when their toy is taken. Through the childminder's expertly guided discussions, children confidently negotiate and offer their own solutions. This approach improves problem-solving and shows the childminder's commitment to developing children's social and emotional skills. Children's thoughts and feelings are valued and are actively involved in decision-making. For example, the childminder asks children to vote by placing a peg on the book they would like to enjoy later in the morning.

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The provision is outstanding

Children demonstrate their good imagination, enjoying role play as they pretend to be cats with animated 'miaows'. The childminder's deeply attuned understanding of the children means she responds with sensitivity, offering a reassuring cuddle or a quiet space whenever children seek comfort. This highly responsive practice ensures all children feel high levels of security.

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need to do better?

n The childminder's home is well organised to empower children to make independent choices and take ownership of their learning. The childminder invests considerable time when she introduces each child to a new resource. She is skilful and models its use to nurture children's confidence to explore further. As a result, children consistently demonstrate high levels of independence, curiosity and sustained engagement. n The childminder demonstrates a consistently effective approach to supporting children's language and communication. She is adept at using targeted questions and waits for children to formulate their responses, which greatly enhances their ability to articulate their thoughts. Story sessions are exciting, and the childminder skilfully extends children's learning. This supports children to make predictions and recall previous knowledge. For example, during a story, children confidently connect a picture of a sunflower to the seeds on the previous page,

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need to do better?

demonstrating a secure understanding of the topic.

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need to do better?

14 July 2025 n The childminder offers ample opportunity for children to practise their physical skills. Children are incredibly capable when picking up and transferring very small objects. They work on the finger strength, pinching and twisting lids. Their level of focus and self-direction is incredibly high. n Mathematics is a strong focus. The resources enable children to guide their own learning and allow them many opportunities to practise measuring and counting. They are equally guided by the childminder, who supports children to work collaboratively to measure a very tall sunflower by stacking their counting sticks on top of one another and counting. Children are also able to find items that are equal in length to their chosen counting stick, which demonstrates their good understanding of quantity. n Lunch is well organised and contributes effectively to children's independence. Children routinely collect their own place mat and confidently access their plates

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need to do better?

from the cupboard. They pour themselves a glass of water and organise their packed lunch items independently. Children demonstrate good eating habits and, on completion of their meal, responsibly wash their plates and leave the table ready for further activities. This well-established routine supports the development of valuable life skills. n The childminder demonstrates a strong commitment to her own professional development. She consistently engages with current guidance and best practice, reflecting this in the very high quality of care and education she provides. Ongoing training is prioritised, and the positive impact of this continuous professional learning is evident throughout her outstanding provision. n Partnership working with parents is exceptional. Parents comment on the outstanding care the childminder offers the children and the support to themselves. The childminder ensures that information about children's ongoing

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need to do better?

learning and development is consistently shared with parents through daily photos and detailed written reports. Strong professional relationships have been established with external agencies, enabling the childminder to seek timely advice and targeted support, particularly when working with children who have special educational needs and/or disabilities.

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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 EY542985 Local authority Suffolk Inspection number 10398171 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 6 Number of children on roll 10 Date of previous inspection 7 October 2019

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2017 and lives in Ipswich, Suffolk. She operates Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, 8am to 5pm, during term times and some school holidays. The childminder does not operate on bank holidays or during family holidays. She holds an appropriate qualification at level 5.

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Inspection activities

n The childminder and inspector completed a learning walk together and discussed the early years curriculum. 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 The inspector carried out joint observations of a story time. n Parents shared their views of the setting. n The inspector spoke to children throughout the inspection.

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Inspection activities

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

14 July 2025 14 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

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

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