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Early years · Childminder inspection (EIF)

Childminder 2735638

Inspected 11 Sept 2025 · URN 2735638

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Summary

Outstanding

Sophia Malcolm

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

Page 1 of 6
Page 1 of the report

Deep dive

What this report says

In plain English

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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.

+96Very positivemore positive than 86% of reports of this type graded Outstanding
OutstandingGoodRIInadequate

Reads more warmly than most reports of this type graded Outstanding.

Markers show where typical reports of each grade sit.

Praiseexceptionallyexcellentambitiousexceptionalstrongconfidenteffectiverapid progress

How the report reads, start to finish

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FindingsSafeguardingAbout the inspection positive critical
  • Findings696w+96
  • Safeguarding20w+50

Strengths

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Concerns

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No strong criticism found.

Next steps

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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.

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

Findings 61%Safeguarding 2%About the inspection 38%

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 .

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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

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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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