Childminder in St Helens

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 27 June 2018 Not applicable

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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 exceptionally dedicated and skilled childminder works extremely closely with her assistant. Together they strive to maintain consistently high standards, including parents and children in their deeply reflective evaluation of the service they provide.  The childminder uses her detailed knowledge of child development to provide a very exciting range of activities that inspires and challenges children. The childminder and her assistant are exceptionally skilled in identifying and making the most of learning opportunities as they arise during activities that children choose for themselves.  Observation, assessment and planning arrangements are both rigorous and meticulous. Accurate assessments are used extremely well to identify precisely what children need to learn next.  The highly qualified childminder swiftly identifies any gaps in children's learning. She promptly implements detailed plans to help to ensure that all children receive the

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This provision is outstanding

specific support they need to make excellent progress.  Children are extremely happy and settle well in the friendly, homely and caring environment that the childminder and her assistant have created.  The childminder has established exceptional partnerships with parents and other settings children attend. She diligently shares information about children's development, such as her online observations, to provide continuity in children's 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 refine opportunities in the already outstanding outdoor provision even further and monitor the impact this has on supporting the excellent progress of children who prefer to learn outside.

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

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management is outstanding

The childminder cares deeply about the children and families who attend her provision and is passionate in her pursuit of excellence. She skilfully identifies opportunities to extend her own knowledge and skills, and those of her assistant, even further. She provides excellent supervision, mentoring and coaching to her assistant, who has been superbly supported to achieve a childcare qualification. The arrangements for safeguarding are effective. The childminder and her assistant have a robust knowledge of issues that would give them cause for concern about a child's welfare. They know how to refer any concerns they may have in a timely manner, to the relevant authorities. Children's safety is of the utmost importance. The childminder makes detailed and regular checks of the environment to ensure it remains a safe place for children to play.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is outstanding

The childminder and her assistant have a superb knowledge of what each child needs to learn next and act as playful partners, offering gentle support and encouragement as they challenge children precisely in their learning. They support children's developing social, communication and physical skills exceptionally well. For example, the childminder's assistant skilfully helps children to use puppets when inventing and telling their own stories. The childminder carefully introduces new words as children play. For example, as children feed the pet rabbits, she uses words such as 'vegetarian' and carefully explains what it means, encouraging children to pronounce the word for themselves. Children learn to recognise shapes and confidently count and calculate. For example, they are asked to predict how many more plates they will need at snack time.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are outstanding

Children develop extremely close bonds with the childminder and her assistant. Both are exceptional role models. The childminder and her assistant have extremely high expectations of children's behaviour. They gently remind children when some behaviours are not wanted and expertly support them to make better choices. Subsequently, all children are exceedingly well behaved. Children are superbly taught about the benefits of a healthy lifestyle. They delight in growing their own food in the well-tended vegetable plot, harvesting it and preparing it for their snacks and meals. Children enthusiastically play in the vibrant outdoor area. The childminder adeptly identifies where learning outdoors can be targeted even further for children who prefer to play outside.

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Outcomes for children are outstanding

Children are highly motivated learners who eagerly solve problems and make decisions about with what they would like to play. All children demonstrate the qualities of highly successful learners. They learn how to recognise the sounds that letters represent and how to hold pencils to write their name. Children thoroughly enjoy singing number rhymes as the childminder plays her guitar. They are taught extremely valuable skills that help to prepare them for the next stage in their learning, including their eventual move to school.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY498173 Local authority St. Helens Inspection number 1041208 Type of provision Childminder Day care type Childminder Registers Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register Age range of children 0 - 17 Total number of places 12 Number of children on roll 18

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Name of registered person

Date of previous inspection Not applicable

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Telephone number

The childminder registered in 2016 and lives in Haydock, St. Helens, Merseyside. She works with an assistant and operates Monday to Friday from 7.30am until 5.30pm, all year round, except for family holidays and bank holidays. The childminder holds qualified teacher status and her assistant holds an appropriate 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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