Rafferty, Gillian

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 18 May 2016 14 January 2011

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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 provides excellent opportunities to extend children's learning and critical-thinking skills. She skilfully questions children during activities to help challenge them and shape their learning.  Children are provided with extensive opportunities to enhance their learning outdoors. They develop a deep understanding of the natural world and living things. They have a wealth of opportunities to develop their curiosity, investigation and exploratory skills.  Partnerships with parents and other settings that children attend are exemplary. Parents are valued and fully included in all aspects of their child's learning from the start. Purposeful information from both parents and teachers is used very well to support children's learning and contribute to planning.  The childminder is highly qualified and experienced. She is very proactive and displays a strong commitment to continually enhancing her professional knowledge, skills and

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This provision is outstanding

practice. She demonstrates how recent training has had a significant impact on her practice and the learning experiences available to children.  Children are extremely happy and comfortable in the care of the childminder. They have formed close attachments with her and this supports them to settle quickly and feel reassured. Children display high levels of confidence and are given the freedom to make choices and direct their own learning.  Children learn to be independent from a young age. They are encouraged to attend to their own needs and to think for themselves. This supports children to gain key skills required for their future learning.

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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 develop the teaching programme currently being used to support children's use of phonics, to help further support their developing literacy skills in preparation for their move to school.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector observed the quality of teaching during activities indoors and outdoors and assessed the impact this has on children's learning.  The inspector completed a joint observation with the childminder.  The inspector held a meeting with the childminder. She looked at relevant documentation, such as the self-evaluation and evidence of the suitability of adults living on the premises.  The inspector took account of the views of parents during the inspection.

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management is outstanding

The childminder uses highly effective systems to evaluate her practice and to seek the views of parents and children. She encourages parents and children to identify future improvements and swiftly acts upon suggestions made. The childminder consistently seeks opportunities to enhance her already excellent knowledge and teaching skills. She ensures she is kept up to date with all changes to guidance and legislation. The childminder identifies specific training opportunities that will benefit the needs of individual children and successfully implements the knowledge gained into her practice. Most recently this has had a positive impact on learning experiences for boys. The arrangements for safeguarding are effective. The childminder has a thorough understanding of child protection concerns and procedures. She attends regular safeguarding training and reviews her policies to reflect changes.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is outstanding

Children benefit from a wealth of high quality and challenging learning experiences both indoors and outside. They engage deeply in their learning and demonstrate high levels of concentration. The childminder provides a wealth of exciting and stimulating activities based on children's interests. She extends the use of story books and encourages children to play imaginatively. Children excitedly search for bears hidden in the garden and pretend to make their way through cold rivers and dark caves. They discuss with the childminder how they will use their torches to see inside the dark caves and their wellies to walk through the mud. The childminder encourages children to share their ideas and promotes their communication skills exceptionally well. She provides a wealth of opportunities for children to make marks and learn about letters and sounds. She skilfully promotes numbers and counting during everyday activities and play.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are outstanding

The childminder collects in-depth information about children's existing skills and abilities when they first start. This enables the childminder to complete accurate initial assessments and identify what children need to learn next. Children use impeccable manners and display a clear understanding of the boundaries. The childminder reinforces positive behaviour and consistently praises children's efforts. This helps to support children's self-esteem and sets clear expectations for behaviour. Outdoor learning is central to the childminder's practice and children have excellent opportunities to be physically active, investigate and explore. They help to organise picnics in the garden and discuss with the childminder the different fruits and vegetables they have recently planted.

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Outcomes for children are outstanding

Children make excellent progress in all areas of learning. They are extremely motivated to learn and enjoy acquiring new skills. Activities are tailored to meet children's individual needs and provide them with high levels of challenge. This supports children to follow their interests and they become deeply engaged in their learning. Children are articulate, concentrate well and have probing minds. They are curious and ask purposeful questions. Children are extremely well prepared for future learning and their move to school.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 310672 Local authority Sefton Inspection number 855258 Type of provision Childminder Day care type Childminder Registers Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register Age range of children 2 - 10 Total number of places 6 Number of children on roll 9

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Name of registered person

Date of previous inspection 14 January 2011

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Telephone number

The childminder was registered in 1992 and lives in the Maghull area of Sefton. She operates all year round from 7.30am to 5.30pm, Monday to Thursday, except for bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder holds a recognised childcare 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

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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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