Childminder in Merton

Overall effectiveness Good

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

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The provision is good

The childminder creates a welcoming and safe environment for the children in her care. She supervises children well and builds strong relationships with them. As a result, children feel free to explore their surroundings. They approach the childminder for cuddles, which demonstrates their strong bond with her. Children play happily together.

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The provision is good

The childminder promotes positive behaviour by encouraging children to share and take turns while playing. She offers a broad and balanced curriculum, with a strong emphasis on fostering children's self-confidence. This includes helping children to develop their speaking skills in various situations. During a planned activity about sea animals, the childminder engages children in conversation to expand their vocabulary. She also encourages children to recall their previous learning to reinforce their knowledge, such as how to balance bean bags and blow bubbles.

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The provision is good

As part of the curriculum, the childminder teaches children how to regulate their feelings and emotions. This practice helps children to build stronger relationships with their peers. The childminder encourages children to manage age-appropriate tasks, promoting their independence and self-care skills. Over time, children learn to put on their shoes for outdoor play. During mealtimes, they scrape their plates to demonstrate what they can do for themselves. Children display positive attitudes towards their learning.

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need to do better?

n The childminder continues to offer children a wide range of stimulating learning opportunities, indoors and outdoors. All children are curious and eager to explore. For instance, indoors, they enjoy working with play dough to create various patterns. During outdoor play, children have a lot of fun exploring water and sand. The childminder uses these activities to foster children's concentration and enhance their physical skills. n The childminder has a secure knowledge of child development. She uses this knowledge to observe and assess children's learning rigorously. This enables her to identify and address any gaps in children's development, which supports children's good progress. This approach greatly benefits all children, particularly those at risk of falling behind in their learning. For example, by using repetitive language and speaking clearly, the childminder helps children to improve their

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need to do better?

speech development. n The childminder continually assesses her practice to make meaningful improvements for children. For instance, since the last inspection, she has reviewed the transitions between daily routines and activities. This helps children to feel more emotionally secure in the setting. The childminder is eager to

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need to do better?

10 July 2025 develop her sign language skills to further enhance children's communication abilities. n Overall, the childminder promotes children's good health, including regular handwashing. She provides children with freshly cooked and balanced meals. However, the childminder does not consistently help children to understand the benefits of healthy food and drink on their bodies. This limitation restricts her ability to teach children about the nutritional impact on their well-being and development. n The childminder works effectively with her co-childminder and assistants. She provides strong support to her assistants, including helping them to achieve higher qualifications in childcare. After completing training, the childminder has reviewed her curriculum for mathematics to enhance children's learning. This review involved making resources more accessible, which has increased children's interest in numbers. As a result, children can count from one to 10 and

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need to do better?

beyond, demonstrating their strong numeracy skills. Additionally, the childminder encourages parents and carers to support their children's learning at home, specifically in fostering a love for mathematics. n The childminder has established a strong partnership with parents and other professionals. She keeps parents informed about their children's activities while they are in her care. Feedback from parents says that the childminder adapts her setting effectively to meet children's needs. Parents appreciate the childminder's passion for her role and report that their children are happy and developing well under her care. This strong partnership between parents and the childminder motivates children to attend the setting. n The childminder sets high expectations for children's learning and behaviour. She is caring and affectionate towards children. The childminder manages children's behaviour by modelling polite words, such as 'please' and 'thank you', which

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need to do better?

children use appropriately. Children make early friendships and enjoy giving 'high fives' to celebrate their successes during their play.

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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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should:

n enhance the curriculum to promote children's awareness of how healthy food and drink affect their bodies.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY549403 Local authority Merton Inspection number 10394883 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 9 Date of previous inspection 30 September 2019

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2017 and lives in the London Borough of Merton. She operates all year round, from 8am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, except for bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder holds a childcare qualification at level 3. She works with a co-childminder and assistants.

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Inspection activities

n The inspector observed activities, indoors and outside, and assessed the impact these have on children's learning. n The childminder provided the inspector with a sample of key documentation on request, such as her training certificates. n The inspector completed a joint observation with the childminder and evaluated the activity. n The inspector reviewed written feedback from parents. n The childminder completed a learning walk with the childminder and her co- childminder.

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Inspection activities

10 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

10 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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