Childminder in Lancashire

Overall effectiveness Good

The quality of education Good Behaviour and attitudes Good Personal development Good Leadership and management Good Overall effectiveness at previous inspection Outstanding

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The provision is good

The experienced childminder and her assistant are kind and nurturing. They care for children in a calm and welcoming environment. Children show that they feel very secure as they enjoy cuddles with the childminder and her assistant.

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The provision is good

The childminder has maintained a good understanding of effective teaching. She provides a variety of interesting and challenging learning experiences. Children have many opportunities to learn through the natural environment. For example, they enjoy collecting leaves and pinecones in a local park. They talk about how these feel and where they come from. This helps children develop a rich vocabulary. It also gives them an appreciation of nature.

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The provision is good

Children make good progress from their individual starting points. They gain confidence in their abilities and develop the skills they need for their future learning. The childminder and her assistant give children lots of praise for their achievements. This supports children's confidence and well-being. The childminder is a good role model. She encourages turn taking and reinforces this through using 'Sam' the doll, who enjoys sitting with the children as they eat. He praises them for sharing and waiting their turn. This encourages children to use good manners. They behave well.

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need to do better?

n Children are happy and confident in the childminder's home. They enjoy choosing their own play from a wide range of resources on offer and are curious and engaged in their learning. The childminder and her assistant follow children's interests with enthusiasm. They encourage children to make decisions about what they would like to play with. They talk to the children about what they are playing with as they play alongside them. They give children ideas to extend their play further. This helps to develop children's imagination. n The childminder places a strong emphasis on developing children's communication and language skills. She uses her environment effectively to support this. For example, she creates displays of activities children have taken part in. This encourages children to recall and talk at length about what they did. The childminder and her assistant encourage children's developing speech

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need to do better?

well. For example, they emphasise key words, such as 'bang', as very young children explore sounds with their toys. This helps them learn new words. Children learn many songs and rhymes. n The childminder helps children to gain independence in their self-care and hygiene routines. Very young children wash and dry their hands by themselves. They are proud as they press down the soap dispenser correctly to release the soap. The childminder works closely with parents to help very young children

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need to do better?

22 October 2019 master eating food with a spoon. n Parents hold the childminder and her assistant in high regard. They say that their children always arrive to the childminder's 'with a smile'. They particularly comment on the good progress their children make and they appreciate the range of creative activities she provides. Parents receive regular information and guidance to further support children's learning and development at home. n The childminder and her assistant use opportunities to develop children's mathematical understanding as they play. For example, very young children learn words such as 'big' and 'small' as they group toy horses and their baby foals together. Children are encouraged to count their pieces of apple at snack time. n The childminder encourages children to develop a passion for reading. Children readily choose their favourite books to share with the childminder. They snuggle

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need to do better?

close to her as they look carefully at the pictures and talk about what they can see. Children enjoy regular visits to the library where they choose stories to share at home. n Children enjoy the many visits to parks, the beach and playgroups, and go on local walks. This helps them to develop confidence in larger social settings. Children also gain a greater knowledge about the world they live in. n The childminder liaises with her assistant daily. They share observations of children's learning and think carefully about what children need to learn next. They share ideas about good practice and keep up to date with any new legislation. However, the childminder has not fully explored other ways to help her maintain an expert knowledge of teaching and learning.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

p.3

Safeguarding

The childminder has completed relevant mandatory training to maintain understanding of child protection issues. She has a secure knowledge of the action to take in the event of a concern about a child in her care. She also guides her assistant to understand how she can support her in protecting children from harm and abuse. This includes the steps she must take if an allegation is made against herself or any member of her household. The childminder carries out effective risk assessments to ensure that children are safe in her home. She ensures that the environment is secure and welcoming for children and parents.

p.3

should:

n seek wider training opportunities and use these to help to continually raise the quality of teaching to a higher level.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY235036 Local authority Lancashire Inspection number 10109679 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 1 to 7 Total number of places 8 Number of children on roll 6 Date of previous inspection 22 January 2013

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2002 and lives in Cottam, Lancashire. She operates all year round, from 8am to 5.30pm, Monday to Friday, except for bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder holds an appropriate qualification at level 3. She provides funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children. The childminder works with an assistant.

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Inspection activities

n The inspector viewed the areas of the childminder's home that children use. n The inspector observed the quality of teaching during activities and assessed the impact this has on children's learning. n The childminder discussed with the inspector her learning intentions for children. n The childminder and the inspector completed an evaluation of a planned activity. n The inspector looked at relevant documentation and evidence of the suitability of persons living in the household. n Parents gave their views about the care and education being provided.

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Inspection activities

We carried out this inspection 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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Inspection activities

22 October 2019 22 October 2019 regulates and inspects to 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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Inspection activities

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Inspection activities

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Inspection activities

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Inspection activities

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