Childminder in Lancashire

Overall effectiveness Outstanding

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

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The provision is outstanding

The inspirational childminder has high expectations for all children. She plans an exemplary curriculum which is complemented by the accessible, inspiring and stimulating environments created within the family home. Children show awe and wonder as they learn about their own and others' uniqueness. For example, while learning about Scottish traditions, children are completely enthralled by the enchanting sound of the bagpipes. The children are captivated as the bagpipes are played by the childminder's husband in his Scottish ceremonial dress.

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The provision is outstanding

Children have a positive attitude to learning and persevere at new tasks. For instance, children enjoy experimenting and investigating the properties of ice. They delight in exploring the melting numbers on the tray. Babies use their hands to explore the water. The childminder provides an exceptional range of materials and equipment to support children's small-muscle development. Children enjoy exploring oats in a tray and competently use the scissor scoops to fill and transfer the oats into dishes and pots. Toys that make sounds, such as bells, are added to encourage listening skills. Children find the bells by using magnets.

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The provision is outstanding

Children and babies form excellent emotional attachments to the childminder. She provides nurturing and consistent care, and children show they are extremely happy, safe and secure. Children's behaviour is exemplary. They have extensive opportunities to learn about themselves and their uniqueness. For example, photographs are displayed at child height to promote discussions about themselves and their families.

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need to do better?

n The childminder enhances her outstanding practice with ambitious vision, dedication and true passion. She is highly reflective about the quality of her practice. She continues to increase her already exceptional knowledge and skills to ensure she provides the best possible opportunities to help children. Her qualifications and highly focused professional development have an excellent impact on the exceptional quality of care and education she provides. n The childminder plans meticulously for children's learning and for their enjoyment. She gives exceptional thought into the delivery of rich, innovative and highly challenging experiences for children. The childminder has an in-depth knowledge of the children in her care. This is informed by her robust observation and assessment of their interests and what they need to learn next. This helps to ensure that children make exceptional progress in all areas of learning and

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need to do better?

develop the skills that prepare them for their future move on to school. n The childminder encourages children to live a healthy lifestyle. She works in close partnership with parents to ensure children enjoy healthy meals and

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need to do better?

3 February 2020 snacks. Children have daily opportunities for physical play outside in the fresh air and visit numerous places of interest in the community. The childminder follows excellent hygiene practices and talks to young children about the importance of washing their hands. Children are provided with excellent support in self-care and independence. For example, they enjoy dressing up in hats, costumes and trying on kilts. n The childminder sensitively reinforces behavioural expectations during children's play and social routines. For example, she talks about sharing the food out equally as older children take responsibility for cutting up the fruit for snack. Children learn to take turns when handling wind-up torches in the den and they gaze in amazement at the lights shining on the roof. n Children's literacy skills are fostered exceedingly well. The childminder arranges an exceptional range of reading materials so that children can access them

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need to do better?

independently. She has used the knowledge gained from recent online research to increase the number of books that reflect different cultures. This has helped to support children's understanding of difference and diversity. The childminder reads children stories and together, they sing favourite songs. She uses every opportunity to introduce rich language to support children's communication and language skills, including in Scottish dialect. Children of all ages delight as they use props to join in with familiar action and number songs. Children are becoming effective communicators and active learners. They rapidly develop their confidence and skills in speaking, listening and in mathematics. n Partnerships with parents are exceptional. The childminder keeps parents well informed and updated about their children's learning through observations, photographs and regular assessments. She continually seeks their views and

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need to do better?

ideas and ensures she includes these in their child's play. The childminder provides home learning resources, such as story sacks, to help reinforce children's literacy skills, school readiness and a love of reading. Parents comment that the childminder gives children 'wonderful experiences', that children are 'safe, well cared for, happy and stimulated' and have come on in 'leaps and bounds'.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The childminder actively promotes children's safety and welfare. She has a comprehensive set of safeguarding policies and procedures that underpin her exceptional knowledge and practice. She has an excellent understanding of how to safeguard children and protect them from any potential harm or abuse. She has a firm understanding of her role and responsibilities, and knows who to contact if she has any concerns. The childminder utilises many sources of information to ensure she stays well informed of any changes in legislation. She is highly vigilant in her care and education with regard to internet safety, and discusses this with parents to help their children stay safe at home. The childminder undertakes meticulous risk assessments to keep children safe inside and outside the home.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY452397 Local authority Lancashire Inspection number 10109837 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 0 to 3 Total number of places 6 Number of children on roll 5 Date of previous inspection 11 March 2013

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2012 and lives in Halton, Lancashire. She operates all year round from 8am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, except for family holidays. The childminder is qualified to postgraduate degree level and has a teaching assistant qualification at level 3. She provides funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children.

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Inspection activities

n The inspector observed the quality of teaching during activities and assessed the impact this has on children's learning. n The inspector completed a joint observation with the childminder. n The inspector held discussions with the childminder at relevant times during the inspection. n The inspector looked at relevant documentation, including the childminder's qualifications and evidence of the suitability of adults living at the home. n The inspector took account of the views of parents in written form during the inspection.

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Inspection activities

3 February 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.

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Inspection activities

3 February 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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