Summary
What we read, and from where
Click a reading to see it highlighted in the report.
- Inspection date verified
11 Sept 2025
- Inspectors verified
Sophia Malcolm
- Behaviour and attitudes verified
Outstanding
- Leadership and management verified
Outstanding
- Overall effectiveness verified
Outstanding
- Personal development verified
Outstanding
- Quality of education verified
Outstanding
- Name on report verified
Childminder report
- URN verified
2735638
Deep dive
What this report says
In plain English
Join free to get a short, plain-English summary of any report.
Grade profile
Each judgement on its scale, weakest to strongest.
- OverallOutstanding
- Behaviour and attitudesOutstanding
- Leadership and managementOutstanding
- Personal developmentOutstanding
- Quality of educationOutstanding
11% of comparable inspections in the last three years were graded Outstanding (17,905 inspections).
Tone of the report
How positive or critical the inspectors' language is, from the words they chose. No AI involved.
Reads more warmly than most reports of this type graded Outstanding.
Markers show where typical reports of each grade sit.
How the report reads, start to finish
Every paragraph in order, sized by length. Tap one to see it on the page.
Strengths
Quoted from the report. Tap to see it on the page.
- This supports all children to thrive and make excellent progress. p.3
- Children have exceptionally secure and trusting relationships with the childminder. p.2
- Through careful observation and regular, effective assessment, the childminder identifies children's next steps and works incredibly well with parents to support children's rapid progress from their starting points. p.2
- The childminder is an excellent role model. p.2
- The childminder provides exceptional support for children's communication and language development. p.2
Concerns
Quoted from the report. Tap to see it on the page.
No strong criticism found.
Next steps
Quoted from the report. Tap to see it on the page.
No next steps set out.
What the report dwells on
Topics by how often they come up, coloured by how they are described. Open one for an example.
Progress & outcomes3
“This supports all children to thrive and make excellent progress.” p.3Wellbeing & mental health2
“This helps children to feel settled and supports their emotional development.” p.2
Anatomy of the report
How the report is built, against others of the same type and grade.
- Pages
- 6
- Words of findings
- 682
- about usual (typical 784)
- Reading level
- Hard
- Flesch 35, typical 48
- Average sentence
- 15 words
- Next steps
- 0
- typical 1
- Hedged sentences
- 0%
- “some”, “not always”, “most”…
Where the words go
Full report text
Overall effectiveness Outstanding
The quality of education Outstanding Behaviour and attitudes Outstanding Personal development Outstanding Leadership and management Outstanding Overall effectiveness at previous inspection Not applicable
p.1
The provision is outstanding
Children have exceptionally secure and trusting relationships with the childminder. She knows them incredibly well and is responsive to their emotional needs. For example, when children experience moments of upset, the childminder cuddles and comforts them with calm reassurance. She gently names their emotions and talks through what has happened. She instinctively knows how to lift their mood with an activity that sparks their interest. This helps children to feel settled and supports their emotional development. They are safe, comfortable and content in the setting.
p.2
The provision is outstanding
The childminder thoughtfully organises the learning environment inside and outside to foster all children's curiosity. For instance, children eagerly investigate rolling balls down water channels, strengthening their physical development. While children play imaginatively in the mud kitchen, the childminder skilfully extends their conversations and introduces mathematical learning such as counting, comparing and sorting natural objects they discover. These sensitive and well-timed interactions keep the learning meaningful and children highly engaged.
p.2
The provision is outstanding
The childminder is an excellent role model. She gently encourages children to share, take turns and be polite. Through everyday routines and play, she supports children to use words and phrases that help build respectful and confident interactions. Children consistently show kindness and consideration for others.
p.2
need to do better?
n The childminder is truly committed to providing all children, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), with the highest quality care and learning experiences. She has a deep understanding of child development and plans a highly responsive and ambitious curriculum that meets each child's individual needs and reflects their interests. n Through careful observation and regular, effective assessment, the childminder identifies children's next steps and works incredibly well with parents to support children's rapid progress from their starting points. n The childminder provides exceptional support for children's communication and language development. For example, she uses signing and visual cards to help children express their needs and engage meaningfully in routines. She expertly introduces ambitious vocabulary, such as 'habitat' and 'hydrate', and models expressive language through regular story times. This helps to deepen children's
p.2
need to do better?
understanding, broaden their vocabulary and foster a love of stories that supports early literacy. n Children are prepared extremely well for the next stage in their learning and transition to school. For instance, the childminder supports children to dress
p.2
need to do better?
11 September 2025 themselves, serve their own snack and choose activities and songs independently. Children show perseverance and resilience through playful challenges, such as aiming beanbags into baskets. This helps children feel confident, valued and capable. n The childminder expertly enhances children's learning and development through regular outings to places such as playgroups, the local Hindu temple, farms and soft-play centres. These experiences allow children to deepen their understanding of the world, celebrate cultural diversity and develop physical skills and social confidence. n Through routines and meaningful conversations, the childminder promotes healthy habits. For instance, when asked why they wash their hands, children confidently reply 'to keep the germs away'. The childminder prepares nutritious meals and supports learning with experiences, such as a visit from the oral health nurse. Opportunities such as this help children understand how to care
p.2
need to do better?
for their bodies and develop lifelong healthy habits. n The childminder is incredibly proactive in developing her professional knowledge. For instance, she regularly engages in training and research to deepen her understanding of child development and children's unique needs. This enables her to adapt activities and respond exceptionally well to the individual needs of children, including those with SEND. n Children benefit from consistent, tailored support through the childminder's strong partnerships with health and education professionals. She follows professional advice and uses funding effectively to create a stimulating and highly inclusive learning environment, such as a thoughtfully designed sensory area. This supports all children to thrive and make excellent progress. n Parent partnerships are strong. The childminder shares detailed information, holds regular progress reviews and engages in ongoing conversations at drop-off
p.3
need to do better?
and collection. She supports families in accessing external services such as healthcare plans and funding. This helps everyone to work exceptionally well together to meet children's needs.
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
Setting details
Unique reference number 2735638 Local authority West Sussex Inspection number 10407315 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 3 Number of children on roll 5 Date of previous inspection Not applicable
p.4
Information about this early years setting
The childminder registered in July 2023 and is located in Crawley, West Sussex. The setting is open from 7.30am to 5.30pm, Monday to Friday, all year. The childminder holds a level 6 qualification in early childhood studies. She offers government-funded places for childcare and receives specific funding for disadvantaged children.
p.4
Inspection activities
n The childminder showed the inspector the premises and discussed how she ensures they are safe and suitable. n The childminder and inspector discussed how the curriculum had been implemented and the impact that this has on children's learning. n Children spoke with the inspector during the inspection. n The inspector observed the interactions between the childminder and the children. n Parents shared their views of the setting with the inspector. n The childminder provided the inspector with a sample of key documentation on request.
p.4
Inspection activities
11 September 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
11 September 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.
p.5
Inspection activities
If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 1231, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk .
p.6
Inspection activities
You may reuse this information (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. To view this licence, visit www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/ , write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk
p.6
Inspection activities
Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more information and updates: http://eepurl.com/iTrDn .
p.6
Inspection activities
T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/ofsted
p.6
Discuss this inspection
Members compare notes on inspectors and inspections here. Join free to read and post.
Join the discussion