Demosthenous, Maria

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

The childminder provides a warm, welcoming and homely environment that supports children's well-being effectively. Children form strong and trusting relationships with the childminder and feel secure and content in her care. They confidently seek the childminder's involvement in their play and look to her for comfort when needed. Children learn to play cooperatively with their friends, learn to share and take turns and display good manners. The childminder is kind and regularly praises children for their achievements. This helps to boost children's self- esteem and supports them to behave well.

p.2

The provision is good

The childminder is passionate about children's learning and provides a broad, well- sequenced and tailored curriculum to meet children's individual needs and interests. For example, she recognises that children are curious and interested in insects and bugs in the garden. The childminder reads books to children about the life cycle of the butterfly and encourages children to explore with the soil in the tray to find insects. Children are excited and motivated to learn as they carefully observe the spiders and insects using magnifying glasses and talk to the childminder about their discoveries. The childminder skilfully interacts with the children to help them make good progress in their learning from their starting points.

p.2

need to do better?

n The childminder monitors children's development well. She uses information from her observations and assessments of children to identify their interests and next steps in learning. The childminder regularly shares her findings with parents and encourages them to continue their children's learning at home. n The childminder prioritises children's speech and language skills effectively, to help them to increase their vocabulary and become confident talkers. She talks to children and models language in a way that encourages them to repeat and learn new words. For instance, children excitedly sing nursery songs and enjoy listening to their favourite stories. They develop good speaking and listening skills from the well-planned activities the childminder prepares for them. n The childminder helps children to understand the concepts of early mathematics effectively. For example, older children enjoyed playing with the pop-up

p.2

need to do better?

supermarket, pretending to buy groceries and calculating how much money they need to pay. The childminder plans effective activities throughout the day to help children count, measure and identify shapes and colours. This supports children to gain a good understanding of early mathematics in readiness for school. n The childminder organises books and toys at low level to promote children's independence and to help them to become confident decision makers from an early age. Younger children are encouraged to make choices in their play and

p.2

need to do better?

15 July 2025 feed themselves independently. These opportunities empower children to take ownership of their learning and develop their self-care skills effectively. n The childminder supports children's hygiene and healthy lifestyles well. For instance, children know that they need to wash their hands after playing in the garden and before their meals. The childminder provides daily opportunities for children to take part in physical activities and prepares home-cooked, nutritious meals and snacks each day. However, at times, the childminder does not take the initiative to actively teach children how to make healthy choices and learn about the benefits of healthy food on their bodies. n The childminder supports children's positive behaviour by setting clear expectations, offering consistent praise and gently guiding children to manage their emotions and actions. She prepares children for life in modern Britain well.

p.2

need to do better?

For example, she plans activities around culture and festivals throughout the year and reads stories to them to help them develop their knowledge about the wider world. This helps children to learn about similarities and differences between themselves and others. n The childminder, overall, evaluates her practice effectively. She works as a team with her co-childminder and reviews most aspects of her practice regularly. She continuously strives for ways to improve the quality of her practice to offer children good experiences and opportunities. However, the childminder has not explored more effective ways to include the views of parents in her plans for ongoing improvements when evaluating her practice.

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 promote children's understanding of healthy eating to improve their knowledge and develop an understanding of making healthy choices n extend the opportunities that parents have to share their views and contribute more effectively to ongoing improvements in care and education.

p.3

Setting details

Unique reference number 2744914 Local authority Barnet Inspection number 10412365 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 7 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

p.4

Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in September 2023. She co-childminds with her husband and lives in the London Borough of Barnet. The childminder provides care from 8am until 6pm, Monday to Friday, except for bank holidays and a family holiday in August. She provides government funded early education for all eligible children. The childminder holds an appropriate level 3 home-based childcare qualification.

p.4

Inspection activities

n The inspector and childminder completed a learning walk of the setting, where they discussed the early years provision and the aims of the curriculum. n The inspector and childminder jointly observed children and evaluated an activity together. n The inspector observed the quality of education being provided and assessed the impact on children's learning. n The inspector looked at relevant documentation, including the childminder's paediatric first-aid certificate.

p.4

Inspection activities

15 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.

p.4

Inspection activities

15 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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