Childminder in St Helens

Inspection date 10 September 2018 Previous inspection date 10 October 2014

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This inspection: Good 2

Previous inspection: Good 2 Effectiveness of leadership and management Good 2 Quality of teaching, learning and assessment Good 2 Personal development, behaviour and welfare Good 2 Outcomes for children Good 2

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The provision is good

n The childminder is very experienced and has a good awareness of how children learn. She routinely uses this knowledge to teach and engage children in developmentally- appropriate activities which support them to make good progress. n The childminder is fully committed to ensuring that children have the key skills they need for the next stage in their learning. High priority is given to developing children's communication skills, their physical development, social skills and independence. n The childminder is a positive role model. Children are learning right from wrong and the importance of socially acceptable behaviour through gentle guidance. This helps to create a positive environment, where children feel safe and secure. n Children are very happy and settled. They enjoy caring and affectionate relationships with the childminder, which help to promote their emotional well-being. n Partnership working is strong. The childminder promotes a shared approach. She

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The provision is good

routinely encourages parents to contribute to ongoing assessments and share what they know about their child.

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It is not yet outstanding because:

n The childminder does not always make the very best use of what she learns from her observations, to sharply focus the activities provided to support children in making the best possible progress. n The programme of training and professional development is not broad enough to further develop knowledge and drive the quality of teaching to an outstanding 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

n sharpen the focus of teaching when planning and delivering activities, to help children make the best possible progress n broaden the programme of professional development to continually raise the quality of teaching.

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What the setting needs to do to improve further

Inspection activities n The inspector observed interactions between the childminder and the children present and spoke to the childminder and children at appropriate times during the inspection. n The inspector observed the childminder doing an activity with the children and subsequently discussed the activity with the childminder. n The inspector looked at children's records and a range of other documentation, including policies and procedures. n The inspector checked evidence of the suitability of adults living on the premises. n The inspector had a tour of the premises with the childminder and evaluated the effectiveness of risk assessment and the maintenance of the premises and equipment.

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Effectiveness of leadership and management is good

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective. The childminder completes a basic range of training, including paediatric first aid. She routinely updates her knowledge of safeguarding, including child protection. This means she is alert to possible indicators of abuse and has a secure knowledge of the procedure to follow if she is concerned about a child's welfare. The childminder is committed to providing a high-quality provision. Since her last inspection, she has created a spacious self-contained playroom which provides direct access to toilet facilities and the rear garden. The childminder maintains all documents, qualifications and records needed to underpin good provision for children's welfare and their learning.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

The childminder knows each child well. Overall, she uses information gained from observations well to assess children's levels of development and to identify the next steps in their learning. The childminder monitors their learning carefully and continuously supports their development as she plays and interacts with them. She uses many good teaching techniques to support children's learning. She effectively models new skills. Young children are motivated by the childminder's enthusiasm and verbal encouragement to 'keep trying' as they learn how to use a rolling pin to roll out their dough. The childminder models language and encourages children to join in with familiar rhymes. Children become absorbed as they play with imagination and develop their own ideas. Mathematical concepts are woven into all aspects of the day. For example, children learn to count as they sing and match colours and shapes as they play.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are good

The childminder has created a safe, welcoming child-centred environment. Children confidently explore their surroundings and readily share smiles and laughter as they play. Children benefit from excellent opportunities to be physically active. They talk excitedly about weekly outings, including to their favourite soft-play centre, where they practise and refine their climbing and balancing skills. Children have some good opportunities to develop their finger muscles, in preparation for eventual handwriting, as they squeeze and roll dough. The childminder works closely with parents to ensure children's individual care needs are well met. Children enjoy a range of healthy snacks and sit happily alongside the childminder as they eat their packed lunch.

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Outcomes for children are good

Children make good progress and are developing the skills and attitudes they need for their eventual move to school. They are becoming confident, independent learners who enjoy learning new skills within a safe and supportive environment. Children become absorbed in activities of their choice. They enjoy investigating how things work, for example, using new tools to make spaghetti hair with play dough. Children benefit from a wide range of experiences. They are learning to mix with other children and to share and take turns. This helps to foster good social skills.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 323069 Local authority St Helens Inspection number 10059407 Type of provision Childminder

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Registers

Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register Day care type Childminder Age range of children 2 - 7 Total number of places 6 Number of children on roll 5 Date of previous inspection 10 October 2014

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Registers

The childminder registered in 1997. She lives in the Newton-le-Willows area of St Helens, Merseyside. The childminder operates all year round from 8am until 5.30pm, Monday to Friday, except for bank holidays and family holidays.

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Registers

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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Registers

procedures set out in the guidance Complaints procedure: raising concerns and making complaints about Ofsted, which is available from Ofsted's website: www.ofsted.gov.uk . 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 and Support Service (Cafcass), schools, colleges, initial teacher training, further education and skills, 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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Registers

If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 1231, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk .

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Registers

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Registers

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Registers

T: 0300 123 4234 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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