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 get off to a good start in their learning in this well-organised setting. The childminder knows each child well and forms close relationships with them. Children show how safe and secure they feel. They invite the childminder into their play, and she joins in willingly. She listens to their ideas and values what they say. This helps to support children's confidence. It enables them to feel listened to and recognise that what they say matters.

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The provision is good

Children engage in many purposeful activities. They create their own games and use their imagination, particularly when playing with dinosaurs. The childminder teaches children the different dinosaur names, and they compare what they look like. Children confidently talk about which dinosaur is their favourite. They use the dinosaurs in their play and excitedly explain they are making 'dinosaur soup' as they fill containers with sand. The childminder supports this imaginative play well. She asks children questions about what they are doing to check what they understand and what they have remembered. In the main, this helps her to plan for the next stages in their learning.

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The provision is good

Children play together well. Any minor disputes are dealt with swiftly, and children form positive relationships with others. The childminder gently reminds them about simple rules, such as taking turns and being kind to one another. Children show courtesy and respect for others. They demonstrate kindness as they look at the butterflies in the garden and know they must be gentle if they try to catch them. Children listen well. They follow simple instructions easily and develop the skills they need to support their future learning.

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need to do better?

n The childminder values the opportunities to network with other childminders and to review her practice. She completes regular training and chooses topics that help to develop her teaching and enable her to better plan for children's needs. For example, she has completed courses in supporting children with autism and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. This enables her to adapt her practice, when needed, and more clearly understand how every child prefers to learn and behave. The childminder ensures that any assistants she works with complete all mandatory training and, together, they reflect on practice and identify further ways to improve. n Children benefit from many experiences where they socialise with other children. The childminder organises her weekly routine so that children have frequent times playing with other children. They visit local childminder groups and have weekly play dates with children in the care of other childminders. These

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need to do better?

experiences help to broaden children's social skills and enable them to play and

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need to do better?

16 July 2025 form relationships with a wider range of children. This prepares children well for starting school. n Overall, teaching is good. The childminder follows children's interests and enables them to take the lead in their play. She observes children carefully and generally plans for their next steps so that children continue to make progress in their learning. However, occasionally, planned activities lack specific purpose and extension for the most able children. Therefore, some children are not fully challenged and do not gain much from the activity to support their future learning. n The childminder works closely with parents to understand their needs. She keeps them fully informed about what children are learning and the daily activities. Parents report how happy their children are at the setting and note the wide range of play experiences children benefit from. The childminder shares relevant information with other settings children may attend. This ensures that

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need to do better?

information is exchanged to help the childminder support children's care and learning needs. n Children's language skills are promoted well. The childminder speaks clearly to children and helps develop their pronunciation. She repeats words clearly and introduces new vocabulary to broaden children's conversational skills. From a young age, children use their language skills effectively to convey their needs and interests. During play and exploration, children use their language skills well to ask questions. For example, as they use paintbrushes and water to paint the fence, they are fascinated when the water changes colour and ask the childminder why this has happened. They listen intently to her explanation and talk about it together. n The childminder plans a range of outings to help to broaden children's learning experiences. For example, they regularly visit local parks and playgroups and enjoy outings to the zoo and farm. Children happily recall these experiences and

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need to do better?

talk about what they have seen and remember. This demonstrates the positive impact these visits have on children's learning. The childminder is very vigilant in ensuring children's safety, often using assistants to support closer supervision.

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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 refine the planning of activities to ensure that there are relevant levels of challenge for every child.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY551078 Local authority East Sussex Inspection number 10399000 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 4 Date of previous inspection 15 November 2019

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2017. She lives in Peacehaven, East Sussex and cares for children from Tuesday to Friday, 9am to 2pm, throughout the year. She is registered to work with an assistant. She provides funded early years education for children from the age of nine months. The childminder holds a relevant early years qualification at level 3.

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Inspection activities

n The childminder explained how she organises her service and how she keeps children safe. n The inspector talked to the childminder about how she plans for children's learning and the activities she provides. n Children spoke to the inspector about what they enjoy doing with the childminder. n The inspector observed the childminder interacting with the children and evaluated the impact this has on the children's learning. n Written feedback provided by parents was taken into consideration.

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Inspection activities

16 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

16 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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