Smith, Julie Ann

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 11 May 2017 12 March 2015

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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 dedicated childminder and her assistant aspire to be outstanding. Recent changes made to improve the space available to children have been meticulously planned and effectively implemented.  The childminder is caring and nurturing, and even very new children settle quickly. She gathers useful information from parents about children's care routines and interests. This helps her to support children's emotional well-being from the very beginning.  Partnerships with parents and other professionals are good. The childminder is successful in facilitating a joined-up approach that meets the needs of individual children. Parents comment that they are very happy with the care children receive.  The childminder and her assistant are good role models. Children's behaviour is excellent and they are skilfully supported to understand how to keep themselves safe.  The qualified childminder has a secure understanding of how children learn. She

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This provision is good

interacts very well with them and skilfully questions them to support their communication and language development.

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It is not yet outstanding because:

 Self-evaluation does not currently include the views of all parents and children.  The childminder does not always make best use of information gathered from assessments of children's learning to plan and organise activities, so that they have the most valuable learning opportunities.

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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

 improve the process of self-evaluation to include the views of all parents and children when planning improvements  review the planning and organisation of activities to make the most effective use of information gathered from assessments of children's learning, so that they have the most valuable learning experiences to help them make rapid progress.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector spoke to the childminder, her assistant and children at appropriate times during the inspection.  The inspector jointly observed and discussed with the childminder and her assistant the teaching and learning activities provided.  The inspector took account of the views of parents, carers and children, including those expressed in recent letters.  The inspector checked evidence of the suitability of members of the household and the childminder's qualifications.  The inspector looked at children's records and a range of other documentation, including policies and procedures.

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management is good

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective. The childminder demonstrates a good knowledge of the potential signs of abuse and is confident in local reporting procedures. Robust policies and procedures underpin her good practice. Risk assessments are completed on a regular basis, with appropriate steps taken to minimise risks and help keep children safe. The childminder is committed to furthering her professional development and refreshing her skills and knowledge. Along with her assistant, she attends regular training and works closely with other childminders to share ideas and suggestions. This helps her to implement changes and further embed strong practice in order to improve outcomes for children.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

The qualified childminder has a good knowledge and understanding of how children learn. She generally uses observations and assessments of children's learning well to identify and plan for what they need to learn next. The childminder and her assistant recognise where they can build on children's play to promote further learning. For example, they watch children fill a bucket of water with coloured chalks and begin to make marks on the wall with them. The childminder and her assistant use this opportunity very well to talk to children about how colours can change when they are mixed together. They show children how to use water to mix the colours on the wall and step back. Children become engrossed in adding the water to the chalk and squeal with delight as they notice that blue and yellow have mixed together to become green. They excitedly seek out the childminder to tell her about the new colour they have made.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are good

The childminder provides a welcoming environment and nurtures children's self-esteem and confidence well. Children form strong bonds with the childminder and her assistant and they are happy and content in their care. Children's physical well-being is supported well. They take part in active and energetic play. Children enjoy practising their balancing skills and playing outside in the fresh air. The childminder helps children gain an understanding of what foods are healthy from an early age. She promotes children's independence well. For example, she encourages them to try putting on their shoes and hats independently before playing outside.

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Outcomes for children are good

Children make good progress in their learning. They are developing a love of playing, exploring, experimenting and being with others. Children demonstrate good levels of confidence in their abilities and pride in their achievements. They enjoy lots of visits to local playgroups. Children are well prepared for the next stage of learning.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 313064 Local authority Knowsley Inspection number 1090774 Type of provision Childminder Day care type Childminder Registers Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register Age range of children 0 - 10 Total number of places 12 Number of children on roll 7

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Name of registered person

Date of previous inspection 12 March 2015

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Telephone number

The childminder registered in 2001 and lives in the Prescot area of Knowsley. She operates all year round, from 8am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, except on bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder holds an appropriate childcare qualification at level 3. She works with an assistant.

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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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