Kilgannon, Tracy

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 25 September 2015 14 November 2011

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This inspection: Good 2

Effectiveness of the leadership and management Good 2

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This inspection: Good 2

Quality of teaching, learning and assessment Good 2

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This inspection: Good 2

Personal development, behaviour and welfare Good 2

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This provision is good

 The childminder and her assistant work well together. They create a warm and welcoming environment where children have fun while they play and learn.  Good partnerships have been developed with parents and other professionals. Meaningful information is regularly shared about children's care and learning needs. This contributes to all carers being able to support children's needs and offer a consistency of care.  The childminder provides nutritious snacks and meals, and children have lots of opportunities for fresh air and exercise. This helps to promote healthy lifestyles as well as their physical well-being.  The childminder has carefully considered the resources she provides, ensuring that they are easily accessible. Children are enthusiastic learners and explore resources and the environment with confidence.

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It is not yet outstanding because:

 The childminder and her assistant do not always give children enough time to think about and answer their questions.  The childminder's professional development is not specifically focused at developing her teaching skills to the highest level.  The childminder does not take every opportunity to promote children's understanding of equality and diversity.

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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

 give children more time to think and to use their language effectively when they are responding to questions  seek further ways to enhance knowledge and develop first-rate teaching practice  increase opportunities to promote equality and diversity, and support children to understand and embrace differences within their community and beyond.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector viewed all areas of the home used for childminding.  The inspector spoke to the childminder, her assistant and children during the inspection, and observed children engaged in a variety of activities.  The inspector took account of the views of parents from written comments.  The inspector observed a learning activity with the childminder.  The inspector looked at a selection of policies and children's assessment records, and discussed the childminder's self-evaluation methods.  The inspector checked evidence of the suitability of all household members and viewed the training certificates of the childminder and her assistant.

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management is good

The childminder is well qualified. She keeps her knowledge up to date and regularly shares good practice with other childminders. The childminder has completed essential training, such as first aid, to support her good practice. However, her programme of professional development is not yet fully focused on raising the quality of teaching to the highest levels. Arrangements for safeguarding children are effective. The childminder and her assistant are knowledgeable about keeping children safe from harm. They know the procedures to follow to report a concern about a child in their care. The childminder reflects upon her practice and is committed to improving her provision. She effectively supervises the performance of her assistant, involving her in all aspects of practice to build her knowledge. This ensures there is a shared and consistent approach to children's care and learning.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

The childminder has a good knowledge of all areas of learning. She provides stimulating activities that capture the children's interests during every stage of their development. Children's starting points are identified, with the help of parents, before they start. She then makes detailed observations and assessments of the children's development. This helps her to identify the next steps in their learning and plan good quality learning experiences. She accurately monitors children's individual progress in order to identify and address any gaps in their knowledge. The quality of teaching is good. Children are encouraged to explore and use their imagination during their play, and show that they are confident and motivated to learn. The childminder and her assistant encourage children to engage in conversations with them. However, they do not always give children enough time to think and respond to their probing questions.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are good

Children are happy, confident and settled. They benefit from a well-organised and welcoming environment. Children enjoy easy access to many resources and successfully develop the many skills needed for school and future life. The childminder uses gentle and consistent processes to promote children's positive behaviour. She builds good relationships with children, getting to know them and understanding their individual personalities and needs. This helps her promote children's emotional well-being effectively. Children learn how to treat each other with respect and understanding. However, they have fewer opportunities to fully develop their awareness and understanding of similarities and differences within their community and beyond.

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Outcomes for children are good

Children of all ages make good progress from their starting points. The childminder supports children's learning well and encourages them to explore and become independent learners. As a result, children are developing the key skills they will need for the next steps in their learning.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY427456 Local authority St. Helens Inspection number 852786 Type of provision Childminder Day care type Childminder Age range of children 0 - 3 Total number of places 12 Number of children on roll 12

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Name of provider

Date of previous inspection 14 November 2011

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Telephone number

The childminder was registered in 2011 and lives in the Eccleston Park area of St. Helens. 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 early years qualification at level 3 and works with an assistant. She provides funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children.

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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

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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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