Childminder in Cheshire West and Chester

Overall effectiveness Good

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

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The provision is good

Children settle quickly and demonstrate that they feel safe and secure in the childminder's care. They confidently explore the environment and readily go to her for cuddles when they need reassurance. Children behave well and learn to follow instructions and routines, such as tidying away toys before snack time. The childminder generally interacts positively with children. However, occasionally, she does not give children opportunities to think of ways to develop their play or solve problems for themselves.

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The provision is good

The childminder provides time for children to socialise with others. Each day they take part in activities in the local community. They go to toddler groups where they take part in a range of activities covering all areas of learning and are supported to learn through play. Children benefit from an abundance of outings. For example, they visit farms, parks and zoos where they get fresh air and exercise and learn about the world around them. The childminder's home is warm and welcoming, and children happily access the variety of age-appropriate toys and activities provided.

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need to do better?

n The childminder provides a flexible childcare service that meets the differing needs of children and their families. She liaises with parents to establish information about children so that she can meet their needs from the start. The childminder is patient and nurturing and this promotes a calm atmosphere in which children quickly feel comfortable. n The childminder keeps up to date with mandatory training. She discusses practice and changes to legislation with other professionals to build on her knowledge. n The childminder knows children well and shares information with parents about the activities they take part in. However, she does not use her knowledge about children to identify sharply focused next steps for their learning. Consequently, the information that is shared with parents to encourage them to build on children's learning at home is not completely clear. n Children are considerate about one another's feelings and provide comfort and

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need to do better?

kind words when their friend becomes upset. The childminder encourages them to learn to share and take turns, for example, when playing with the most popular toys. n Children's communication skills are developing appropriately as the childminder models language when narrating their play. She encourages them to develop an interest in books and shares stories with them. Children also benefit from story, song and rhyme times at the local library and during attendance at community groups.

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need to do better?

7 January 2020 n Children have a positive attitude to learning, but sometimes the childminder provides too much direction and does not encourage their critical thinking. They are resilient and keen to have a go. They build towers, manoeuvre toy cars and diggers, cover dinosaur templates with stickers and complete lift-and-see jigsaws. Children use their imaginations and recreate familiar experiences from home. For example, they feed the baby dolls. n The youngest children make their needs known through gestures and sounds. Older children ask for help when they need it and the childminder responds appropriately. n The childminder promotes children's good health well as she provides them with nutritious, home-cooked meals. Children enjoy grapes and oranges at snack time and readily access their drinks as they play. The childminder encourages them to try new tastes through a variety of foods. She works in partnership with parents

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need to do better?

to overcome issues and meet children's dietary preferences. n The childminder helps children to prepare for school. She takes them to pre- school groups held in the school so that they become familiar with the environment. Children develop the skills they need for writing as they make marks and practise using their hand muscles to pick up small parts. The childminder encourages children to be independent from a young age. They are encouraged to develop self-care skills, such as putting their own coats and shoes on.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The childminder keeps her knowledge about child protection up to date and understands the action to take if she has a concern about any aspect of children's welfare. She is aware of wider safeguarding issues, such as her responsibilities in relation to the 'Prevent' duty. She teaches children about online safety and supervises them when they use resources, such as video-sharing platforms for music and dancing. She ensures that she supervises children at all times by keeping them within sight or hearing.

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should:

n identify sharply focused next steps for children's learning and explain these more clearly to parents so that they can further support their children's learning at home n reflect on the way that questioning is used to extend children's thinking and provide more opportunities for children to test out their own thoughts and ideas.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 304445 Local authority Cheshire West and Chester Inspection number 10062184 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 8 Total number of places 6 Number of children on roll 8 Date of previous inspection 6 January 2016

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 1995 and lives in Little Neston, Merseyside. She operates all year round from 7.45am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, except for bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder holds an appropriate qualification at level 3.

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Inspection activities

n The inspector observed the interactions between the childminder and children. n The inspector held discussions with the childminder to understand how the curriculum and childcare service are organised. n Children spoke to the inspector about the activities they were taking part in. n The inspector looked at relevant documentation, including evidence of the suitability of the childminder.

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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

7 January 2020 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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