Childminder EY433101

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 are happy to arrive at the childminder's home and quickly settle into play. They are warmly welcomed and feel secure because of her gentle, caring approach. Relationships are affectionate and respectful. Children enjoy cuddles during stories and take pride in sharing their achievements, such as building tall towers, which the childminder celebrates with them. This helps children grow in confidence and self-esteem.

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The provision is good

The childminder provides a broad and ambitious curriculum that is rooted in everyday experiences. Children enjoy role play, outdoor play, creative activities and stories. They talk with excitement about trips to the beach, local woodlands, library and park. They also learn about caring for living things, such as chickens and moths, which broadens their understanding of the natural world. These regular experiences and outings spark children's curiosity and help them make sense of the world around them.

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The provision is good

The environment is well organised and welcoming. Children have a positive attitude towards learning. For example, with encouragement from the childminder, children tidy up after themselves before moving on to the next task. Children have free access to a wide range of resources indoors and outdoors, which supports all areas of their learning. They climb, dig in the sand, balance, paint and explore with bubbles. Communication and language are central to the curriculum. Children delight in singing, rhymes and storytelling, where the childminder uses tone, pitch and expression to capture their attention and build their vocabulary.

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need to do better?

n The childminder carefully plans and sequences her curriculum. For example, children start with simple finger-pinching movements, move on to mark making, and then begin recognising and forming letters. This step-by-step approach gives them strong foundations for early reading and writing. n The childminder adapts activities to suit children of different ages and stages. In a dinosaur-sorting game, younger children used coloured dice and easier tools, while older children used numbered dice and trickier tweezers. This thoughtful planning means every child is challenged at the right level. n Children enjoy outdoor learning. The childminder plans and implements this aspect of her provision well. Children spend time exploring the garden and go on regular outings, such as trips to the beach. These experiences spark curiosity, help them learn about their local community and build an early love of the natural world.

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need to do better?

n The childminder uses a clear tracking system to spot gaps in learning. However, next steps are not always adapted quickly enough to reflect children's changing

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need to do better?

23 September 2025 interests. This means some opportunities to make the biggest difference can be missed. n Children learn to think deeply. For example, when talking about the weather, they were asked where the sun might be when it could not be seen. These conversations support reasoning skills and shared thinking. n The childminder naturally weaves mathematical ideas into everyday play. Children count arches, compare tall and short towers, and explore heavy and light objects. As a result, they confidently use words such as 'taller,' 'smaller' and 'bigger' in their own play. n Children's physical skills are well supported both indoors and outdoors by the childminder. Children practise handstands, rolls and climbing outside, while also developing control and coordination by rolling cars under arches and using play hammers. n The childminder revisits learning regularly so children remember and build on what they know. They recall previous outings, repeat favourite songs and

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need to do better?

rhymes, and talk confidently about hygiene routines such as handwashing. n The childminder promotes healthy lifestyles. She supervises mealtimes, offers fruit and vegetables, and reminds children to sit safely while eating. Oral health is encouraged through dentist visits, model teeth and brushing activities, giving children an early understanding of how to care for themselves. n Children show resilience and curiosity. They keep trying with tricky tasks, celebrate their success and grow in confidence through the childminder's encouragement. n Parents speak very positively about the childminder. They value the childminder's warmth and kindness, feel supported with any worries, and praise the variety of outings and experiences. The childminder shares ideas with parents to continue learning at home. n The childminder's calm and caring nature creates a nurturing atmosphere for children. Occasionally, she does not help children to understand how their

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need to do better?

behaviour may affect others. When this happens, children have slightly fewer opportunities to practise their skills in sharing, turn taking and kindness. n The childminder reflects on her provision to identify potential improvements and completes training to further improve her knowledge and understanding.

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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:

23 September 2025 n strengthen opportunities for children to manage their emotions and feelings so they learn to regulate their own behaviour n refine children's developmental next steps to focus more precisely on the children's current interests.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY433101 Local authority Suffolk Inspection number 10398878 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 10 Date of previous inspection 13 November 2019

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2011 and lives in Lowestoft, Suffolk. She operates all year round, from 8am to 6pm, four days a week, except for bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder provides funded early education for all eligible children.

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Inspection activities

n The childminder showed the inspector the premises and discussed how she ensures that they are safe and suitable. n The childminder and the inspector discussed how the childminder organises her early years provision, including the aims and rationale for her early years foundation stage curriculum. n The childminder spoke to the inspector about the children's learning and development, with a particular focus on communication and language. n The 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.

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Inspection activities

23 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

23 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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