Childminder in St Helens

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 29 March 2017 19 May 2014

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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 provides a warm, welcoming and stimulating environment where children have access to a balanced range of easily accessible resources. Children make independent choices as they play. All children make good progress.  Children are safe and behave well. The childminder acts as a good role model to children to help them learn how to behave appropriately. She uses a range of strategies, such as praise and explanation, to teach children to respect others.  Partnerships with parents are effective. The childminder shares information with parents that helps provide a consistent approach to meeting children's care needs and supporting their ongoing development.  Children enjoy learning through play with the qualified childminder. She knows them well and, overall, observes what they are interested in.  The childminder promotes communication and language skills well. She asks very good questions that encourage children to think and solve problems for themselves.

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It is not yet outstanding because:

 The childminder does not always make the best use of her observations of children's learning to plan activities that focus on what children need to learn next, so that they make the best possible progress.  Although the childminder evaluates her practice effectively, she does use these systems fully to improve the provision to an even higher level.

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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

 focus more sharply on observing the children's learning so that activities can be planned to enhance individual children's age and stage of development  build upon more aspects of self-evaluation to enhance areas for improvement that raise the quality of practice to an even higher level.

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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 evaluation of an activity with the childminder.  The inspector held a number of discussions with the childminder. She looked at relevant documentation and evidence of the suitability of persons living in the household.  The inspector spoke to children during the inspection.  The inspector took account of the views of parents through written feedback provided.

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management is good

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective. The childminder can recognise the possible signs of abuse and knows who to contact should she be concerned about a child's welfare. She undertakes regular checks of the environment and takes appropriate steps to ensure it remains safe for children. The childminder is well qualified and has a good knowledge of child development. Overall, she monitors children's progress well and identifies any gaps in their learning quickly. Parents receive accurate and precise assessments of their children's progress. An effective two-way flow of information helps to provide a consistent approach to children's care and learning. For example, the new electronic system allows parents to contribute directly to their children's observations and assessments. The childminder undertakes online training and other training from the local authority to keep up to date with any legislative changes.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

The childminder plays alongside children and introduces new words to help extend their developing vocabulary. For example, she provides a narrative as children play with the cooker and kitchen utensils. The childminder supports children's emerging speaking and imaginative skills effectively. The childminder gives opportunities for children to explore new creative activities. For example, children play with coloured tissue paper, scrunching it together and making rainbow-coloured Easter eggs. The childminder frequently praises the children, which raises their confidence and encourages them to keep trying.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are good

Children demonstrate that they feel safe and confident in the care of the childminder. They freely explore the environment and independently choose from the range of toys and activities on offer. The childminder gathers information from parents that helps her to meet children's individual needs effectively. This enables the children to settle quickly into daily routines. She develops children's social skills and awareness of the wider community. For example, they make regular visits to the local children's centre where the children play with other children. The childminder promotes children's understanding of healthy lifestyles. For example, she offers children healthy meals and snacks. Children also take part in regular physical outdoor exercise, such as outings to the local park and walking daily to and from school.

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Outcomes for children are good

Children make good progress in their learning. They achieve well and reach the typical levels of development for their age range. Children show excitement and take pleasure in their learning. They are confident, independent and gain key skills for the next stage in their learning. Children are sociable and play very well together.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY429777 Local authority St. Helens Inspection number 1087378 Type of provision Childminder Day care type Childminder Registers Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register Age range of children 1 - 9 Total number of places 6 Number of children on roll 5

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Telephone number

The childminder registered in 2011 and lives in the Thatto Heath area of St Helens. She operates her service all year round from 7am to 6pm on Tuesday to Friday, except for Bank Holidays and family holidays. The childminder holds an appropriate 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

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 .

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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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