Childminder in St Helens

Overall effectiveness Requires improvement

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

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The provision requires improvement

Children feel happy and safe in this nurturing environment. There is a strong focus on developing children's communication and language skills, for example through singing songs, reading books and having conversations. The childminder extends children's vocabulary as she plays with them. For example, she introduces the names of body parts and colours as they complete a character jigsaw. Children cheerfully recognise the 'purple prickles' and the 'green wart' on the character's nose. The childminder praises and encourages children, which builds their self- esteem. However, she does not have a clear understanding of how to assess children's development or how to use this information to plan precisely for their next steps in learning.

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The provision requires improvement

The childminder has high expectations of children's behaviour. Children behave well. The childminder is a good role model to children. She encourages them to use manners. The childminder teaches children to respect each other's similarities and differences. She teaches children about different cultures. Children recently learned about Chinese New Year and enjoyed trying Chinese food. They are confident communicators. Older children discuss what they have enjoyed doing at pre-school during the morning. They excitedly talk about which character they have dressed up as for World Book Day. Children have established positive relationships with the childminder and their peers. They play well together, sharing toys and resources.

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need to do better?

n The childminder has made changes to the learning environment to ensure that toys and resources are easily accessible. Children freely access books and sit down comfortably to look at them. They choose from the cupboard which games they would like to play with. Older children enjoy using puppets to put on a show in the puppet theatre. They give out tickets to invite their peers to watch their performance. n The childminder promotes older children's independence. For example, they put on costumes by themselves and see to their own toileting and care needs. However, the childminder does not always extend younger children's independence. The childminder provides children with a healthy diet. Children enjoy their social mealtimes as they eat a variety of fruit and vegetables. The childminder knows when children are tired or hungry. She responds appropriately to ensure that their individual needs are met.

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need to do better?

n The childminder provides children with a range of opportunities to be physically active. Children enjoy riding around the outdoor area in toy cars. They practise their jumping skills as they jump off low-level equipment. The childminder enhances children's outdoor learning and they regularly go on days out. For example, they go on walks to local playgroups, to the pond to see the ducks and

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need to do better?

5 March 2020 to farms. This helps children to learn about the wider world. n The childminder includes the views of parents and children in her self- evaluation. She plans topics using children's current interests. The childminder builds effective relationships with parents, who are pleased with the care and service provided. Parents praise the childminder for the variety of activities on offer for the children. They are thankful for the range of visits and trips that she takes children on. n The childminder monitors children's learning and assesses their progress. However, she does not have sufficient knowledge of child development. Her assessments of children's attainment are not accurate. Parents are kept up to date with their children's assessment and progress through termly reports. However, the information given to parents about children's attainment is not precise. n The childminder has formed good partnerships with other professionals. She

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need to do better?

liaises with the local nursery. This ensures children's needs are being met. The childminder plans activities around the same themes that children are doing in nursery. This helps to provide continuity in children's learning. The childminder keeps her safeguarding knowledge up to date by attending courses and accessing online training. n Mathematics skills are promoted. The childminder encourages children to recognise shapes during a matching game. She extends their learning by encouraging children to try and find shapes within the environment. The childminder encourages children to count their steps as they go up and down the stairs.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The childminder keeps her child protection training up to date. She has an understanding of the signs and symptoms that may indicate that a child is at risk of abuse. The childminder is familiar with the procedures to follow in the event of a concern about a child in her care. She has an excellent understanding of how to keep children safe. Daily assessments of the premises mean that she is able to identify and minimise any risks. This means that children play safely in the environment.

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Due date

5 March 2020 ensure that your knowledge of child development is sufficient so that you are able to assess children's development accurately 29/05/2020

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Due date

ensure that assessments of children's development are accurate, and use these to plan effectively for children's next steps. 29/05/2020

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should:

n promote further ways to extend younger children's independence.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 323038 Local authority St Helens Inspection number 10072876 Type of provision Childminder

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Registers

Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register Day care type Childminder

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inspection

Total number of places 6 Number of children on roll 6 Date of previous inspection 11 July 2016

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 1986. She operates all year round from 7.30am to 5pm, Wednesday to Friday. The childminder has a level 3 qualification. She provides funded early education for 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 Parents' views were taken into account through written feedback provided. n The inspector held discussions with the childminder and children at appropriate times during the inspection. n A joint observation was completed by the inspector and the childminder.

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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

5 March 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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