Watkinson, Kate

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 10 September 2015 20 December 2011

p.1

This inspection: Good 2

Effectiveness of the leadership and management Good 2

p.1

This inspection: Good 2

Quality of teaching, learning and assessment Good 2

p.1

This inspection: Good 2

Personal development, behaviour and welfare Good 2

p.1

This provision is good

 The childminder is a sensitive and nurturing carer, with a warm and friendly disposition. She builds strong bonds with children and understands how to meet their needs well. This supports them to feel safe and happy which has a positive impact on their well- being.  The childminder is particularly skilled at encouraging children's good behaviour. Through consistent gentle prompts and reminders during play activities, she helps even very young children to learn to play well together, share and take turns.  The childminder provides a good range of resources that contribute towards children gaining an understanding of people, families and communities beyond their immediate experience.  The childminder's teaching skills are strong. She skilfully questions children, extending their learning and developing their thinking skills. This aids children to become confident and motivated to learn.  The childminder has established effective partnerships with parents. She keeps parents

p.1

This provision is good

well informed of children's achievements and helps to build on what they have already learnt at home.

p.1

It is not yet outstanding because:

 Opportunities for children to develop their skills of investigation and exploration are not fully available.  The childminder does not always make the best possible use of the very good information she gathers about how children prefer to learn.

p.1

What the setting needs to do to improve further

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

p.2

What the setting needs to do to improve further

 strengthen opportunities for children to develop their skills of investigation and exploration  use all available information to ensure individual children are challenged to achieve at the highest level.

p.2

Inspection activities

 The inspector talked with the childminder and interacted with children throughout the inspection.  The inspector looked at children's observations and assessment records, evidence of the suitability of household members and a range of other documentation, including the safeguarding procedures and risk assessments.  The inspector viewed the areas of the premises and garden used for childminding.  The inspector discussed self-evaluation with the childminder.  The inspector took into account the views of parents through written feedback.  The inspector observed children at play and evaluated activities with the childminder.

p.2

Effectiveness of the leadership and management is good

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective. The childminder has a clear understanding of the procedures to follow in order to help protect children's safety and welfare. She has a good understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage requirements. The childminder completes progress checks for children between the ages of two and three years to monitor their achievements. She shares this information with parents. This assessment supports her to identify any gaps there may be in children's learning to help her plan for their future progress. The childminder understands the importance of developing good working partnerships with other early years professionals. This helps to ensure that information is shared between all those involved in children's lives. The childminder is qualified and has used her studies to accurately evaluate her setting. The childminder takes into account the views of parents and children when planning changes.

p.3

Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

The childminder provides a stimulating range of activities to promote children's development across the seven areas of learning. However, there are fewer opportunities for children to explore and investigate. Children enjoy making marks and talking about their drawings. Skilful questioning allows children to think about and describe what they create in detail. The childminder enthusiastically joins in with children's play, talking with them and supporting the correct pronunciation of words. Children's emerging mathematical understanding is supported. The childminder skilfully weaves counting and discussions about size, shape and weight into activities. Observations are used well to plan next steps in children's learning. However, the childminder does not always use her good understanding of how each child prefers to learn in order to plan challenging activities at the highest level. A regular flow of information between the childminder and parents helps

p.3

Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

to ensure they are actively involved in their children's learning.

p.3

Personal development, behaviour and welfare are good

Children are cared for in a warm and welcoming environment. There is a good settling-in procedure in place. The childminder shares information about children's care needs and development with parents. This contributes towards children feeling comfortable and helps to provide continuity in their learning. Children play well together and even very young children are learning to show self-restraint. They pause before taking a toy from another child and seek support from the childminder, who provides clear guidance. Children's self- esteem is supported as the childminder offers praise and encouragement. Children's good health is promoted well. They engage in regular physical activity and are offered healthy meals and snacks. This contributes towards children leading a healthy lifestyle.

p.3

Outcomes for children are good

All children make good progress. Children are learning some important skills for the future, for example, by making choices and learning to take turns. This helps them to be well prepared to take their next steps into school. Children's language skills are developing well; they are learning new words rapidly and can talk about their experiences.

p.3

Setting details

Unique reference number EY429924 Local authority Wirral Inspection number 853042 Type of provision Childminder Day care type Childminder Age range of children 0 - 17 Total number of places 6 Number of children on roll 7

p.4

Name of provider

Date of previous inspection 20 December 2011

p.4

Telephone number

The childminder was registered in 2011 and lives in Greasby, Wirral. She operates all year round from 7.30am to 5.30pm, Monday to Friday, except for bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder holds an appropriate qualification at level 3.

p.4

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.

p.4

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.

p.4

Telephone number

If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 4234, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk. 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.5

Telephone number

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our website for news, information and updates at www.ofsted.gov.uk/user.

p.5

Telephone number

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

p.5