Childminder in Lancashire

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 28 April 2015 14 October 2010

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This inspection: Outstanding 1

Previous inspection: Outstanding 1 How well the early years provision meets the needs of the range of children who attend Outstanding 1

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This inspection: Outstanding 1

The contribution of the early years provision to the well-being of children Outstanding 1

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This inspection: Outstanding 1

The effectiveness of the leadership and management of the early years provision Outstanding 1

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This inspection: Outstanding 1

The setting meets legal requirements for early years settings

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This provision is outstanding

 The childminder has an accurate understanding of her strengths and the capacity to sustain the existing high standards of this joint childminding service. Many aspects of her practice are worthy of sharing with others.  The childminder provides highly stimulating environments, both indoors and outdoors, in which children have exciting opportunities to explore and are motivated to learn.  Highly effective partnerships between the childminder, co-childminder, parents and other providers ensure children's unique needs are known and exceptionally well met.  The childminder works particularly closely with her co-childminder to continually review and take account of recent research findings, in order to build on their excellent practices and promote the welfare and safety of the children.  Children are valued and nurtured as individuals; because of this they feel emotionally secure and have high levels of confidence and self-esteem.

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This provision is outstanding

 The childminder effectively safeguards children. She consistently follows strong policies and procedures and maintains the required record-keeping systems to keep children safe. She regularly attends training to keep her knowledge of first aid, child protection and food safety up to date.  Children thrive in an atmosphere of mutual respect. Both childminders are very good role models, emphasising the importance of being kind, friendly and respectful towards one another. As a result, children are developing polite and courteous behaviour.  Children effectively learn that people have different views, cultures and beliefs that need to be treated with respect.

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What the setting needs to do to improve further

To further improve the quality of the early years provision the provider should:

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What the setting needs to do to improve further

 enhance the evaluation of practice by seeking the views of parents on an even wider range of issues.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector observed activities in the playroom, kitchen and garden.  The inspector spoke to the childminder, co-childminder and children at appropriate times during the inspection.  The inspector carried out a joint observation with the childminder.  The inspector took account of the views of parents and providers of other settings that children attend, which were provided in writing.  The inspector looked at a range of documents, including verifying some qualifications, checking evidence of the suitability of household members and viewing the policies, procedures and the children's records.

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who attend. This is outstanding

The childminder makes excellent use of the knowledge gained from her qualification and ongoing training to deliver high-quality teaching and learning. She has an exceptional knowledge of each child's abilities and is highly effective in ensuring that all children make excellent progress. Children confidently initiate their own play in well-resourced spaces, indoors and outdoors. In the outdoor kitchen, children play imaginatively and also practise early writing as they draw on paper with muddy sticks. Children also effectively learn through well-linked, planned activities. For example, children develop the finger muscles needed for writing as they manipulate and roll dough. They refine their speaking skills when the texture of oats in the dough prompts them to recount a favourite story and the time they made porridge. They talk about growth because the scent of spearmint reminds them of the mint growing in the garden. The dedicated childminder works exceptionally

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who attend. This is outstanding

well with her co-childminder to observe and assess children's progress and plan the next steps in their learning. She very carefully tracks children's progress so she can plan to address any gaps quickly.

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outstanding

Outdoors, children exercise vigorously and extend their physical skills. They develop an excellent understanding of how to manage risks relative to their age. For instance, two- year-old children learn to climb safely on a frame and carefully step from one tree stump to the next. Children develop balance and coordination as they walk across a low-level balancing beam made for this purpose by the co-childminder. The childminder takes the lead in planning and cooking nutritious meals. Additional experiences, such as planting and growing potatoes and making their own porridge teach children about healthy foods. Due to a wide variety of experiences, children learn to respect and tolerate each other's differences. They learn to socialise, share and take turns with others as they visit local groups and meet up with other children. They attend a weekly group to play and learn alongside children with special educational needs and/or disabilities.

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provision is outstanding

The childminder fully understands and meets the requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage exceptionally well. With her co-childminder, she creates a solid team with a strong commitment to continuous improvement. There is scope to consult parents on an even wider range of issues. However, since the last inspection, she has continued to build her strengths to an even higher level. She has created excellent links with the local pre-school nursery, primary school and children's centre. They exchange valuable information, which enables the childminder to complement the care and education each child receives at home and at other settings. She also ensures children are extremely well prepared for school and their next stage of learning. For example, following consultation with the school, she bought a program, which mirrors their taught handwriting style.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 307953 Local authority Lancashire Inspection number 855161 Type of provision Childminder Registration category Childminder Age range of children 0 - 17 Total number of places 6 Number of children on roll 4

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Name of provider

Date of previous inspection 14 October 2010

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Telephone number

The childminder was registered in 1994 and lives in Kirkham. She works with her husband who is also a registered childminder. She operates all year round, from 7.30am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, except bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder holds an appropriate early years qualification at level 3.

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Telephone number

This inspection was carried out by Ofsted 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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Telephone number

procedures set out in the guidance ‘Complaints procedure: raising concerns and making complaints about Ofsted’, which is available from Ofsted’s website: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ofsted. If you would like Ofsted to send you a copy of the guidance, please telephone 0300 123 4234, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk. 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 Support Service (Cafcass), schools, colleges, initial teacher training, work-based learning and skills training, 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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Telephone number

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Telephone number

T: 0300 123 4234 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ofsted

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