Childminder in East Sussex

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

Children are exceptionally happy in this homely, nurturing setting. The childminder forms close relationships with all the children she cares for. Children show how secure they feel. They approach her readily for comfort and reassurance. They excitedly cuddle into her when she reads them stories and include her in their play.

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The provision is good

Children demonstrate confidence and interest in trying new things. They are excited when the childminder explains the wide range of activities she has planned for the garden. These have been carefully prepared based on what the childminder knows children are interested in and enable children to develop different skills. For example, children learn new ways to fill up a small teapot during water play. The childminder shows them how to squeeze the top of a pipette, and children excitedly copy, showing patience and determination to fill the pot. The childminder praises children highly and encourages them to keep on trying when tasks are initially tricky. Children persevere as they try to handle small items, and the childminder's gentle reassurance enables them to succeed and feel proud of themselves.

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The provision is good

Children learn to behave well. They willingly share resources and are kind and courteous to one another. Older children act as positive role models to their younger friends by showing them how to take turns and playing together happily. There is a very relaxed atmosphere evident, and the childminder organises her routine around the children's needs. She is responsive when children choose to do something different. She allows them ample time to finish what they are doing before they move on to the next activity. This enables children to understand that their choices are valued and encourages them to become confident in making independent decisions.

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need to do better?

n The childminder offers a well-organised service. She regularly attends professional networking events so that she can meet other childminders and review her practice. The childminder is committed towards her own professional development and completes training to deepen her understanding of how children learn and develop. For instance, she is currently completing an approved course of training to help her understand more about children's brain development. This helps her to plan more accurately for each child's learning needs as she has a greater awareness of how children use and retain information. n The quality of teaching is good. In the garden, children show a fascination for bugs and insects. The childminder provides relevant opportunities for children to explore nature. Children demonstrate how much they have learned as they spontaneously go to the lavender bush to look for bees, knowing that bees

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need to do better?

15 July 2025 collect nectar from lavender. Children gently pick stems of lavender and delight in rubbing the flower to smell the scent. The childminder makes good use of unplanned, spontaneous events to support and enrich children's learning. For instance, when children hear a cuckoo in the woods, they look up information with the childminder about cuckoos and listen to different birdsong. n Children's communication skills are supported well. The childminder introduces new words and vocabulary as children play. When she reads stories, she reads with animation and children listen attentively and ask questions. Younger children develop confidence in using words to covey their needs, and they confidently string words together to form clear statements. The childminder listens clearly to children. She supports their good conversational skills and asks thought-provoking questions as she reads stories to encourage children to think

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need to do better?

about what might happen next. n Overall, there are effective procedures in place to keep children safe. The childminder teaches children about possible risks and keeps them safe when they go on outings. She talks to older children, when needed, about the possible risks involved in using technology. However, she has not yet routinely planned this into her wider range of activities. n The childminder uses topical events to help support children's learning. For example, children celebrated 'Shark Awareness Day' with a range of activities based around a shark theme. The childminder uses stories as a basis for learning and helps to promote children's love of books and stories. For example, children recently focused on the story of 'The Very Hungry Caterpillar'. At snack time, children demonstrate what they have learned and remembered as they talk about the different foods the caterpillar ate.

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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 develop the learning experiences even further to help children become more aware of how to stay safe online.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY459350 Local authority East Sussex Inspection number 10408144 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 9 Date of previous inspection 27 January 2020

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2013. She lives in Hailsham, East Sussex, and offers care on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, all year round, from 8am to 5.30pm. Funding is accepted for children from the age of nine months. The childminder holds a recognised level 4 qualification.

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Inspection activities

n The childminder explained how she organises her service and how she plans for children's learning and development. n The inspector observed the childminder interacting with the children, both indoors and outdoors, and evaluated the impact this had on the children's learning. n The children spoke to the inspector and talked about what they enjoy doing with the childminder. n The inspector talked to the childminder about how she keeps children safe. n Written feedback from parents was read and taken into consideration.

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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.

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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

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

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