Childminder EY302370

Overall effectiveness Outstanding

The quality of education Outstanding Behaviour and attitudes Outstanding Personal development Outstanding Leadership and management Outstanding Overall effectiveness at previous inspection Outstanding

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The provision is outstanding

Children arrive to a welcoming and thoughtfully arranged setting where they are greeted with genuine warmth. Familiar routines and caring interactions help them settle quickly, creating a calm and purposeful start to the day. The childminder knows each child exceptionally well and builds trusting relationships that help them feel secure, valued and ready to explore. Children show impressive confidence as they make independent choices about their play, immersing themselves in activities that reflect their individual interests. The childminder joins them with sensitivity and skill, responding to their ideas and introducing new challenges that deepen their engagement. Daily routines are well structured yet empowering, enabling even the youngest children to take growing responsibility for themselves and their surroundings. Parents consistently describe the provision as 'warm, nurturing and trustworthy', praising the childminder's professionalism and the strong sense of

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The provision is outstanding

Learning experiences are dynamic and thoughtfully tailored to children's needs, ensuring every moment is purposeful and engaging. Activities evolve naturally from children's emerging interests, sustaining their curiosity and encouraging them to explore ideas in depth. The childminder's calm, consistent approach sets a positive tone and supports a culture of kindness, cooperation and respect. Everyday interactions are used skilfully to nurture emotional resilience, confidence and a genuine love of learning. As a result, children thrive in this stimulating environment, developing the curiosity, self-belief and independence that prepare them exceptionally well for the next stage in their learning.

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need to do better?

n The curriculum is ambitious, well structured and skilfully adapted to follow children's emerging interests. The childminder builds on what children already know and can do, using real-life experiences to deepen learning. For example, a shared interest in nature is extended through outdoor walks, where children observe wildlife, collect natural objects and talk about the changes they notice in their environment. These experiences broaden their knowledge of the world, spark meaningful conversations and introduce rich vocabulary. n The childminder creates a rich and stimulating environment that nurtures children's curiosity, independence and critical thinking. Carefully planned spaces indoors and outdoors spark exploration, from cosy book corners that encourage shared reading to small-world setups and construction areas that inspire imaginative play and problem-solving. Through these opportunities, children

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need to do better?

demonstrate impressive concentration and reasoning as they plan how to build structures, compare the weight of objects and work through challenges with persistence and resilience.

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need to do better?

29 September 2025 n Literacy and communication are at the heart of the curriculum. Storytelling, singing and daily conversations immerse children in rich-language experiences, helping them to develop excellent listening, comprehension and early vocabulary skills. The childminder uses story sacks and engaging props to bring stories to life. This sparks imagination and encourages children to create their own narratives with clear beginnings, middles and ends. n Teaching is dynamic and highly responsive. The childminder uses skilful questioning, gentle humour and sustained shared thinking to spark curiosity, deepen reasoning and expand children's language in meaningful ways. n Outdoor learning is a particular strength. The childminder makes excellent use of outdoor spaces to promote physical development, problem-solving and teamwork. Activities such as the water wall and construction tasks encourage children to work collaboratively, test ideas and build critical-thinking skills

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need to do better?

through play. n Assessment and parent partnerships are purposeful and highly effective. The childminder closely observes children to plan experiences that extend and support their progress. He builds warm, trusting relationships with parents through regular communication, ensuring children receive consistent support at home and in the setting. n Children's behaviour and attitudes to learning are excellent. The childminder's calm, consistent approach supports children to manage their emotions, show kindness, and solve problems cooperatively. Even very young children persevere through challenges and demonstrate empathy towards their peers.

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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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Setting details

Unique reference number EY302370 Local authority Swindon Inspection number 10407909 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 18 Date of previous inspection 21 January 2020

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2005. He lives in the Haydon End area of Swindon. The childminder works in partnership with his wife, who is also a registered childminder. The setting is open each weekday from 7.15am to 6pm, all year round, except for family holidays. The childminder is in receipt of funding for the provision of free early education for children aged two, three and four years.

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Inspection activities

n The inspector completed a learning walk with the childminder to explore how the environment is organised and how the curriculum is implemented in practice. n Interactions and teaching were observed across a range of activities indoors and outdoors to assess the quality of education and its effect on children's progress. n The inspector observed daily routines, such as transitions and mealtimes. n A joint observation was carried out with the childminder to assess the effectiveness of teaching and learning. n The inspector reviewed relevant documentation upon request. n The inspector had ongoing discussions with the childminder to review curriculum design and teaching and learning approaches. n Parents shared their feedback in writing and through discussions.

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Inspection activities

29 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.

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Inspection activities

29 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.

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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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