Childminder in Suffolk

Overall effectiveness Requires improvement

The quality of education Requires improvement Behaviour and attitudes Requires improvement Personal development Requires improvement Leadership and management Requires improvement Overall effectiveness at previous inspection Not applicable

p.1

The provision requires improvement

Children feel safe and secure in the care of the friendly childminder. She provides reassurance and affection, helping them feel settled and comfortable. Care practices are effective; the childminder is attentive and responds promptly when children are hungry, tired or need a nappy change.

p.2

The provision requires improvement

Children do not receive the level of education to which they are entitled. Although the childminder observes children at play and monitors their progress, children do not consistently benefit from well-planned learning experiences that build on what they need to learn next. This impacts their readiness for future learning.

p.2

The provision requires improvement

Children behave appropriately. They receive praise and encouragement, which supports their self-esteem. The childminder provides timely reminders about her expectations, such as the importance of using 'kind hands'. Children have formed positive friendships with one another and share resources well.

p.2

The provision requires improvement

Mealtime routines are positive and sociable occasions. All children sit at tables with the childminder, her co-minder and their friends. Children talk about the different fruits they have on their plates. These interactions provide children with opportunities for conversation and the development of social skills.

p.2

need to do better?

n The childminder has taken steps to address previously raised actions. She now regularly plans outdoor experiences for children, including visits to the local playing field and trips to the beach. Working collaboratively with co-minders, the childminder has also introduced a key-person system. This ensures that each child has a consistent familiar adult to support their individual care needs. n The childminder has begun to develop her knowledge of curriculum planning by using guidance documents for support. However, her understanding of how children learn and the sequence of developmental stages remains limited. As a result, she finds it difficult to plan appropriate next steps for children's learning, which limits the progress they make over time. n Children are developing a love of books and stories. The childminder provides regular group singing and story times alongside her co-childminder, which older

p.2

need to do better?

children thoroughly enjoy. They confidently join in with repeated phrases from familiar books, supporting the development of their early literacy skills. However, on occasion, these sessions are too long for younger children to maintain focus, leading them to disengage and wander off. n The childminder promotes children's oral health effectively. Following discussions with parents, she encourages children to brush their teeth on arrival, making it a fun and social part of the daily routine. She offers guidance to parents on

p.2

need to do better?

30 June 2025 preparing healthy packed meals, which supports children's overall well-being and helps establish good oral hygiene habits. n The childminder has completed mandatory training, including safeguarding and paediatric first aid, which helps to ensure that children are kept safe in her care. However, she has not yet focused her professional development opportunities to help her improve the care and education she provides to further benefit the children. n Children have opportunities to develop their mathematical understanding through play, songs and rhymes. For example, they join in with number rhymes and learn to carry out simple calculations, such as taking away one duck at a time during the rhyme. The childminder engages children in conversations that promote the use of mathematical language by encouraging children to describe and compare the sizes of animals they have seen. n Children are naturally inquisitive and eager to engage with others. They

p.2

need to do better?

confidently introduce themselves to visitors and enjoy sharing news about their weekend activities. For example, they tell the childminder about a recent trip to the beach. The childminder listens with interest and responds warmly, helping children feel valued and encouraging them to express themselves clearly and confidently. These everyday interactions help to build children's vocabulary, sentence structure and confidence when speaking with both adults and other children.

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

Due date

identify developmentally appropriate next steps for each child, ensuring learning experiences build on what children already know and can do. 31/07/2025

p.3

should:

n review group activities to ensure they are appropriate and engaging for all the children, particularly the younger children

p.3

should:

30 June 2025 n continue to build on relevant professional development opportunities to enhance the quality of the learning experiences for children.

p.3

Setting details

Unique reference number 2702763 Local authority Suffolk Inspection number 10405954 Type of provision Childminder

p.5

Registers

Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register Day care type Childminder

p.5

inspection

Total number of places 3 Number of children on roll 5 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

p.5

Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2023 and lives in Ipswich, Suffolk. She operates from the home of a co-childminder, where they work together. They also work with assistants. The childminder operates all year round, from 7.30am to 5.30pm, Monday to Friday, except for bank holidays and family holidays.

p.5

Inspection activities

n The childminder showed the inspector the premises and discussed how they ensure they are safe and suitable. n The childminder and the inspector discussed how the childminder organises their early years provision, including the aims and rationale for their early years foundation stage curriculum. n Children spoke with the inspector during the inspection. n The inspector observed the interactions between the childminder and the children. n The childminder provided the inspector with a sample of key documentation on request.

p.5

Inspection activities

30 June 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.5

Inspection activities

30 June 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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