Balfour, Julie Michelle

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 1 February 2016 17 June 2010

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This inspection: Outstanding 1

Effectiveness of the leadership and management Outstanding 1

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This inspection: Outstanding 1

Quality of teaching, learning and assessment Outstanding 1

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This inspection: Outstanding 1

Personal development, behaviour and welfare Outstanding 1

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This provision is outstanding

 The childminder's precise and sharply focused observations and assessments, combined with her superb monitoring of children's progress, contributes significantly to the rapid progress children make in their learning and development across all seven areas of learning.  Partnerships with parents and other agencies are highly successful and enhance significantly the quality of children's assessments. All key persons involved in the child's life are kept exceptionally well informed. This helps to provide an extremely consistent approach to the children's continued high levels of attainment.  The childminder has a strong desire to provide the best care and learning for all children. This has a positive impact on outcomes for children and contributes to the outstanding progress children are making in their learning.  The childminder has a strong focus on raising the quality of teaching through an astute

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This provision is outstanding

and targeted programme for her own professional development.  The childminder uses expert knowledge and teaching to build on children's communication and language skills; they listen well and are developing their vocabulary and speech. This helps prepare children for the next stage in their learning.  The childminder uses clear and targeted next steps to support and provide challenge for children. Children are highly motivated, excited and thoroughly engaged in purposeful and enjoyable activities.  The childminder's self-evaluation is comprehensive, rigorous and accurate. She identifies clear areas for improvement and sets precise targets to enhance all aspects of her provision.

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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

 continue to implement the plans in place to further enrich the environment.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector observed activities in the playroom, dining room and lounge.  The inspector sampled children's assessment records, planning documentation and a range of other records, policies and procedures.  The inspector checked evidence of the childminder's suitability, training certificates, self-evaluation and improvement plans.  The inspector spoke with the childminder and children throughout the inspection.  The inspector and childminder undertook a joint observation and discussed the children's learning while they were engaged in the activities.

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management is outstanding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective. The childminder has completed relevant training and is highly confident with the action to take should she have concerns regarding a child in her care. All policies are comprehensive and successfully implemented to support children's ongoing safety and minimise risks. The childminder is exceptionally well qualified and translates her knowledge and expert teaching skills effectively into practice. Parents are actively contributing to, and are exceptionally well involved in, their child's assessment as the childminder seeks and acts on their views. This highly cohesive approach is used to complement the care and education taking place. The childminder recognises there is scope to improve further the exciting and stimulating environment.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is outstanding

Teaching is superb. The childminder is vibrant and animated in her practice, making all activities for children exciting and enjoyable. All areas of learning are covered exceptionally well. The childminder has a detailed knowledge of the children and uses her expert understanding of how children learn to plan for their individual needs. This contributes to the rapid progress children are making. This enthusiastic childminder has high expectations and plans a wide range of rich and varied activities to support children's continued outstanding progress. Children's communication skills, physical and social skills are expertly promoted. One example of this is mixing frequently with other children at toddler groups. Children delight in playing in the messy play, experimenting outdoors and listening to stories in this dynamic setting. These types of activities help to build children's concentration and attention skills. Children are active, keen learners and are eagerly

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is outstanding

engaged in the rich variety of activities. One such example is the sensory, exploratory activity with rice and sticky flour which captivates and motivates them to learn.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are outstanding

The childminder spends considerable time getting to know the children and their families. This helps to secure warm and trusting relationships, supporting children's emotional well- being, confidence and self-esteem. Children's physical well-being is encouraged through the excellent opportunities provided, examples of this are outdoor play with climbing equipment and attendance at the soft-play centres. The childminder provides children with a rich and challenging environment where they feel safe and highly settled. She focusses extremely well on promoting children's welfare, for example, working closely with parents, following home routines and promoting consistent health practices. This helps children to understand and feel confident with routines and expectations. Behaviour is exceptional considering their age; the childminder helps them to be cooperative, respectful and to consider others as they play.

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Outcomes for children are outstanding

Children are making consistently high rates of progress from their starting points. They develop positive attitudes to their learning and acquire key skills in readiness for their future learning and school. For those children whose starting points are lower, gaps in their attainment are closing rapidly.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY340220 Local authority Lancashire Inspection number 849282 Type of provision Childminder Day care type Childminder Registers Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register Age range of children 0 - 11 Total number of places 6 Number of children on roll 4

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Name of provider

Date of previous inspection 17 June 2010

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Telephone number

The childminder was registered in 2006 and lives in Baxenden, Accrington, Lancashire. She operates all year round from 7am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, except bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder holds Qualified Teacher Status.

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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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