Childminder in St Helens

Overall effectiveness Good

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

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The provision is good

The childminder demonstrates a high level of personal ambition and strives to be the very best that she can. She has high expectations of children which are echoed by her enthusiastic assistant. Children are cared for in a warm and welcoming family environment where they are all equally valued, included and treated with respect. As a result, children demonstrate extremely high levels of confidence and self-assurance and are excited to learn and try new experiences.

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The provision is good

The childminder is patient, kind and nurturing in her approach. Children thoroughly enjoy the time they spend in her care. They continuously demonstrate that they are extremely happy, settled and secure. Children's behaviour is exemplary. They show kindness and concern for others as they play collaboratively, completing jigsaw puzzles. Children work together as a team, listening to one another's ideas and suggestions in order to 'get the job done'.

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The provision is good

Children are making very good progress as they learn through play. They are enthusiastic and confident learners. However, occasionally, the organisation of some activities means that children are not always engaged at the highest possible level. The childminder completes meticulous documentation to record children's abilities. This helps her to plan activities that further challenge children in their learning.

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need to do better?

n Excellent consideration is given to children's emotional well-being. The childminder has developed a 'proud cloud' where parents are encouraged to share special achievements from home. Coupled with observations made by the childminder and her assistant, children's efforts, kindness and achievements are warmly recognised and celebrated. These lovely opportunities assist children to quickly develop a strong sense of belonging and contribute to children having an extremely positive 'can-do' attitude. n Children have wonderful opportunities to learn about the wider world around them. A child's recent interest in transport resulted in a visit to the local police station. Children impressively use their recall skills to excitedly talk about what they saw. Children visit the local residential home, where they converse with residents and deliver cards that they have made for them. A special 'family photo book' is shared with children. This ignites discussion with the children

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need to do better?

about the similarities and differences within families. These carefully considered enrichment activities successfully promote children's understanding of people and communities beyond their own. n Children thoroughly enjoy creative activities. They listen and respond well to the instructions given as they learn how to make cloud dough. Children observe how

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need to do better?

6 February 2020 the mixture changes when they add water and concentrate on combining the ingredients together. Older children show fierce determination as they master the use of scissors. They concentrate intently as they cut out objects and then use a variety of mark-making tools to add colour to their creations. n Overall, good attention is given to developing children's communication and language skills. The childminder talks to children as they play, uses descriptive language, repeats key words and asks them questions about what they are doing. However, occasionally she does not model the correct pronunciation of letter sounds but has already booked on training to help address this. n Occasionally, the organisation of activities impacts on children's involvement and engagement levels. For example, background music distracts children as they listen to stories and sometimes group activities are too long and some children

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need to do better?

lose interest. n The childminder has a professional attitude to working with other early years providers and fully understands the benefits to children. She has been exceptionally proactive in establishing highly effective links with other settings that children attend. This results in clear sharing of information, excellent continuity of care and very smooth transitions. n The childminder has fostered highly positive and effective relationships with all parents and carers. Views are gained through daily discussions and the regular use of questionnaires. The childminder pays very good attention to their views and quickly responds to any concerns or suggestions. Parents are extremely happy with her service and their comments are overwhelmingly positive. n The well-qualified childminder is passionate, enthusiastic and dedicated. She is proactive at continuing to develop her knowledge and skills and drive continual

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need to do better?

improvements in her strive for outstanding. She continually reviews the work of her assistant and has developed successful supervision arrangements that have a strong focus on improving skills and identifying any training needs.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The childminder fully understands her role and responsibility in protecting children from harm. She attends regular training to help ensure that she stays abreast of any changes in legislation. The childminder continuously checks that her assistant understands reporting procedures and how to escalate any concerns that she may observe. The childminder completes stringent checks on the home environment to ensure that children are able to play safely and securely. The same attention to detail is applied when children go on outings and trips to the local community.

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should:

6 February 2020 n develop teaching skills further, to enable children to hear the correct pronunciation of letter sounds n consider the organisation of some activities and routines, to enable all children to be engaged and motivated in the learning opportunities provided.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY421750 Local authority St Helens Inspection number 10074690 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 4 Total number of places 12 Number of children on roll 6 Date of previous inspection 12 May 2016

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2004 and lives in St. Helens. She operates all year round from 7.30am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, except for bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder holds an appropriate qualification at level 3. She is registered to work with an assistant.

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Inspection activities

n The inspector completed a tour of the childminder's home. n The inspector observed the childminder and her assistant working with the children. n A joint observation of an activity was observed with the childminder. n Written comments from parents were taken into consideration. n The inspector spoke with children, the childminder and her assistant throughout the inspection. Documentation was sampled, including the suitability of those working with children.

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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

6 February 2020 6 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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