Blackburn, Helen Marie

Overall effectiveness Good

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

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The provision is good

The childminder creates an exceptionally warm, nurturing space that enables children to flourish. The well-organised environment allows children to be independent in their learning and make choices in their play. Children are very content in the childminder's home. Parents describe the setting as being a 'home- from-home environment'. The experienced childminder plans a range of activities and experiences to enhance children's interests and promote their learning to a very good level. Babies eagerly explore the variety of toys on offer. They show determination as they curiously press buttons on toys and beam with pride as they work out how to turn the music on. The childminder enthusiastically joins in with their play; she dances along to the music with the younger children and introduces new ideas to support their learning further. Children benefit from continuous praise for their ideas and efforts. The childminder empowers children to test out their

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The provision is good

ideas and have a go, which significantly enriches their confidence and self-esteem. For instance, older children are highly focused in making three-dimensional creations, using bamboo sticks and mini marshmallows. They show excellent concentration as they build a variety of models, such as tents, rockets and aeroplanes.

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need to do better?

n Children are eager to learn. The childminder uses very good teaching strategies to engage children in a variety of activities and experiences. For example, children watch closely as the childminder role models how to make a bird feeder for the garden. Children are keen to have a go and listen carefully to the childminder's instructions. They use safety knives to independently spread peanut butter onto apples and sprinkle the bird seed over the top. Children work collaboratively and discuss their thoughts and ideas with confidence. The skilled childminder links their learning to what children already know and can do. n The childminder provides a broad range of activities and experiences to enhance children's understanding of the local community. This includes regular outings to the arboretum and bus trips into the city centre to explore the harbourside and museums. The childminder meets up with other childminders and the children in

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need to do better?

their care. Children develop very good social skills, make new friends and are prepared for the next stages in their learning, including starting school. n The childminder shows a great commitment to her role. She sends parents termly questionnaires to continually reflect on the service and care she provides children and their families. The childminder talks in detail about her recent training in regards to children using digital technology. For instance, she has started to put together an information booklet for parents to support their understanding of digital technology and how to keep children safe online. n Partnerships with parents are strong. Children and their families benefit from

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need to do better?

18 February 2020 extremely caring and supportive settling-in sessions before they start, which means children settle very quickly in the childminder's care. Children form excellent attachments with the childminder and develop very close friendships with other children in the childminder's care. The childminder is a superb role model and children's behaviour is excellent. She provides parents with detailed verbal and written feedback regarding their child's individual care needs and learning. Parents are very complimentary about the childminder and the service she provides. They describe her as being 'fantastic' and comment on the wealth of activities and opportunities available to their children. The childminder uses highly effective monitoring to minimise any gaps in children's learning to enable them to be ready for the next stage in their development. The childminder shares this information with parents to ensure they are actively involved in their

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need to do better?

child's learning. n The childminder provides parents with a copy of their child's assessment of learning to pass on to the other setting their child attends. However, she has not fully considered how to maximise working with other settings children attend, to promote their learning and development to the highest level.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The childminder has a strong understanding of the signs and symptoms of abuse. She knows where to report any concerns about a child's safety or welfare. The childminder completes regular training to refresh her safeguarding knowledge to include wider safeguarding issues, such as radical and extreme views and behaviours. The childminder follows good hygiene practices and uses effective risk assessments to ensure children are safe and secure within her home and on outings.

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should:

n strengthen partnerships with other settings that children attend, to gather information on children's learning and development to maximise their potential.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 149680 Local authority South Gloucestershire Inspection number 10125470 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 3 Number of children on roll 8 Date of previous inspection 26 November 2015

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2001 and lives in Warmley, South Gloucestershire. She operates all year round from 7.30am to 5.30pm, Monday to Friday, except for bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder holds an early years qualification at level 3. She provides funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children.

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Inspection activities

n Discussions took place between the inspector and the childminder at convenient times during the inspection. n The inspector discussed children's learning and progress with the childminder, including their next steps and interests. n The inspector observed the quality of teaching during activities indoors and assessed the impact this has on children's learning. n A range of documentation was sampled by the inspector, including children's development records, evidence of suitability checks, and policies and procedures, such as safeguarding and risk assessment. n Verbal feedback from parents was gathered and the inspector took account of their views.

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Inspection activities

18 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

18 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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