Ditcher, Rachel

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 are happy, safe and secure, and they obviously enjoy their time with the childminder who has a good sense of fun. They show that they are confident and self-assured in the childminder's care. Children initiate their own play and comfortably ask the childminder for help when needed. The childminder is sensitive to children's individual needs and meets these well. Children behave well. The childminder seeks information from parents about children's learning. She builds on this knowledge as she observes children and assesses their continuing progress. She incorporates children's interests into her activities to encourage them to learn. The childminder is positive and has high expectations for all children. Children are inquisitive and eagerly explore their surroundings. They make good progress in their learning and development. The childminder supports children's growing communication and language skills well. She responds to younger children's

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The provision is good

conversations and helps to develop their vocabulary. For example, she repeats familiar words, such as animal names and sounds, and they enjoy looking at books together. The childminder provides enrichment opportunities that help to broaden children's experiences. She uses a broad variety of outings and activities to help raise children's awareness of their local community and the wider world.

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need to do better?

n The childminder is skilful in her interactions with children and provides commentary to help them make sense of what they are doing. For example, she uses questioning to enable children to consider the properties of ice as they closely watch it melt under a magnifying glass. Children demonstrate a positive approach towards their learning and show fascination, for example, as they investigate with the light from a torch. The childminder provides children with a good range of activities, which support their development and learning. n The childminder builds good relationships with parents and supports them to continue children's learning at home. She keeps parents well informed, for instance, by using digital messages and photographs. The childminder understands the importance of forming close partnerships with other settings that children may attend, to ensure continuity in children's learning. n Children enjoy sharing books with the childminder. The childminder uses

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need to do better?

different voices and tones as she reads to bring the story to life. She engages well with children and encourages them to talk about past events. However, on occasion, the childminder does not always ensure that planned activities provide older children with sufficient challenge. They become distracted and are not fully engaged, to extend their learning further. n Children are beginning to learn about the importance of healthy lifestyles. The childminder supports children's independence skills effectively and helps prepare them well for starting school. For example, they know to wash their hands

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need to do better?

13 February 2020 before eating and display positive attitudes to managing their own self-care routines. The childminder supports children to manage their feelings and emotions. She helps them to resolve any problems and encourages them to share and take turns. n The childminder encourages children's early attempts at making marks. She provides a range of tools and large sheets of paper so they have space to experiment. This helps children to develop good hand-to-eye coordination and muscle control in readiness for early writing. However, the childminder does not consistently make use of opportunities to develop children's understanding of mathematical concepts and language. n The childminder reflects on her continued professional development well and undertakes regular training to help her improve further. She meets regularly with other childminders to exchange ideas and good practice. Parents are positive in their comments and say how much their children enjoy their time with

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need to do better?

the childminder. n The childminder is very keen to provide high-quality provision for children and parents. She gathers feedback from parents and children about the effectiveness of the provision. This helps her to evaluate her setting and decide on improvements she would like to make. Recently, for instance, the childminder has been looking at ways to improve the outdoor environment, to extend children's all-round learning even further.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The childminder has a secure understanding of how to safeguard children. She updates her training regularly and receives information from her local safeguarding partnership. This helps to ensure that she is aware of how to record and report any child protection concerns. She recognises the importance of recording information, for example, monitoring children's attendance or documenting if a child attends the setting with a pre-existing injury. The childminder's premises are safe and secure. She carries out risk assessments of her home and outings to identify and reduce any risks.

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should:

n focus more precisely on curriculum planning and identify how to further challenge older children, to help them fulfil their potential n extend opportunities for children to hear and use mathematical language and concepts during their play.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY320565 Local authority Staffordshire Inspection number 10073623 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 3 Total number of places 6 Number of children on roll 4 Date of previous inspection 18 April 2016

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2006. She operates all year round from 7.30am to 5pm, Monday to Friday, except for bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder holds an appropriate qualification at level 3. The childminder provides funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children.

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Inspection activities

n The inspector and the childminder completed a 'learning walk' across all areas of the setting to understand how the early years provision and the curriculum are organised. n A joint evaluation of an activity was carried out by the inspector and the childminder. n The inspector held discussions with the childminder and spoke to children at appropriate times during the inspection. n The inspector looked at a sample of the childminder's documents. This included evidence of suitability and training. n The inspector took account of the views of parents through written feedback provided.

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Inspection activities

13 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

13 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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