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 Good

p.1

The provision is good

The dedicated childminder recognises the uniqueness of every child. Overall, she focuses on helping children to have fun and achieve their full potential. Children demonstrate a positive attitude to their learning and actively engage in the good range of enjoyable experiences provided. For example, they listen to stories with increasing attention, and distinguish between the marks that they make while recording 'patient notes' during their role play. The childminder welcomes children to express their views freely and encourages them to ask appropriate questions during their play. Children are good communicators and develop the skills they require for their future success.

p.2

The provision is good

The friendly and caring childminder forms an extremely secure bond with every child. She provides gentle reassurance to children when they arrive, to help them to feel assured as their parents leave. Children show that they feel safe and secure in the childminder's care. They actively take on responsible tasks, such as pouring their own water at lunchtime, to develop their independence skills. The childminder encourages positive and respectful behaviour. Children behave well. They say 'please' when requesting additional resources and take appropriate action to respect furnishings, such as carpets, when playing with dough.

p.2

need to do better?

n The ambitious childminder is committed to extending her knowledge and skills through a wide range of training. She regularly evaluates her practice and uses the information she gains to bring about change. n The childminder takes account of current changes within society, such as a rise in mental health issues in young children. She uses this knowledge to help all children to adopt a positive mindset from an early age. For example, children are actively encouraged to express their feelings and emotions, and talk openly about any worries they may have. They take pleasure in placing any worries into a jar and watch as 'the sparkles work their magic'. This contributes well towards children's personal, social and emotional well-being. n The quality of education is good. The knowledgeable childminder uses what she knows about children to plan enjoyable activities that, largely, support what they need to learn next. For instance, children are encouraged to knead, pat and

p.2

need to do better?

press soft materials with their hands. This strengthens their muscles and supports their early writing skills. n The childminder knows children very well. She is aware of changes that children may encounter at home, such as illness or family separation. She supports children's understanding of this through play. For example, children enjoy acting out the role of a nurse within the newly enhanced role-play hospital. They show care and concern for others, such as when tending to a doll that has a 'sore ear'.

p.2

need to do better?

23 January 2020 The childminder explains how equipment such as a thermometer is used, to enhance children's knowledge of different occupations and how things work. n Partnerships with parents are strong. The childminder gathers detailed information from parents when children first start, to help her to develop a good understanding of each child's needs. She speaks with parents each day to share any achievements that their children make. However, the childminder does not share precise information with parents about how they can support and extend their children's learning at home. n The childminder invites children to engage in routines that they will later become more familiar with at nursery and school. For example, children enjoy making their own healthy food choices for lunch and begin to recognise their name when taking part in self-registration. This helps children to develop a sense of what nursery and school are like and contributes towards a smooth transition.

p.2

need to do better?

n The childminder introduces children to mathematical language, such as 'big' and 'little', during their play. However, when children show signs of grouping objects according to properties such as colour, the childminder does not grasp opportunities to extend these skills even further. n Children's achievements are strongly valued and rewarded. For instance, children thoroughly enjoy choosing an area of interest to visit following their success at ballet. This helps them to develop a high level of self-worth.

p.3

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

p.3

Safeguarding

The childminder has a good understanding of her role and responsibilities to keep children safe. Her extensive training and engagement in informative webinars help to ensure that she has a good knowledge of child protection procedures. Risks are readily identified and minimised. The childminder uses routine opportunities well to teach children about aspects of safety. For example, during daily walks to school, she encourages children to take account of what they see and hear before taking appropriate action to cross the road. This contributes towards children's good understanding of how to stay safe.

p.3

should:

n strengthen ways to share more regular and precise information with parents, to support and extend their children's learning at home n extend opportunities for children to categorise and compare groups of objects according to various properties, to enhance their mathematical skills to a higher level.

p.3

Setting details

Unique reference number EY434636 Local authority Lancashire Inspection number 10074930 Type of provision Childminder

p.4

Registers

Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register Day care type Childminder Age range of children 3 to 5 Total number of places 6 Number of children on roll 5 Date of previous inspection 25 May 2016

p.4

Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2011 and lives in Penwortham. She operates for 51 weeks of the year from 8am to 6pm, Monday to Thursday. The childminder provides funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children. She holds an appropriate qualification at level 3.

p.4

Inspection activities

n The inspector discussed with the childminder how she organises her home and what her key aims are for the early years curriculum. n The inspector spoke with the childminder and children at appropriate times during the inspection. n A planned activity was jointly evaluated by the inspector and the childminder. n The inspector viewed a range of documents, including evidence of suitability, a record of the childminder's qualifications, policies and procedures, health and safety records and self-evaluation documents. n The inspector took account of the views of parents from comments noted on recent letters.

p.4

Inspection activities

23 January 2020 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.

p.4

Inspection activities

23 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.

p.5

Inspection activities

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 .

p.6

Inspection activities

You may reuse this information (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. To view this licence, visit www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/ , write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk

p.6

Inspection activities

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more information and updates: http://eepurl.com/iTrDn .

p.6

Inspection activities

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/ofsted

p.6