Nicola O'Leary

Overall effectiveness Good

The quality of education Good Behaviour and attitudes Good Personal development Good Leadership and management Good Overall effectiveness at previous inspection Not applicable

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The provision is good

Children relax in the childminder's home-from-home environment where they feel emotionally secure. They are happy and settled in the childminder and her assistant's care. Children interact confidently with visitors and invite them to join them in their exploration.

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The provision is good

Children benefit from the exceptionally well-thought-out resources, indoors and outdoors. Their awe and wonder is ignited as they explore the environment. They encounter unique opportunities to investigate what they otherwise may not be exposed to at home. For example, children discover a real snail and find it a home in the bug hotel. They relish the opportunity to experience fresh air in the inviting garden. Children inspect and learn about honeycomb at snack time. They watch live tadpoles and show great interest in identifying pretend bugs. The childminder builds on what the children already know by asking them questions about the bugs. This contributes well to their understanding of the world and nature.

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The provision is good

Since the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic, children's social skills have been highlighted as a priority within the setting. As a result, children respond well to the childminder and her assistant's positive reinforcement and constant praise for their good behaviour. Children behave well. They learn how to share and take turns. Children spontaneously use good manners and say, 'please' and 'thank you'. This in turn is acknowledged and praised by the childminder and her assistant who have high expectations of the children. Consequently, children's self-esteem is high.

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need to do better?

n The childminder and her assistant use their extensive teaching skills to help consolidate and extend children's learning. For example, they encourage children to count insect legs, record their findings and recognise bugs from words and pictures. This contributes to children's developing mathematics, reading and writing skills. n The childminder is committed to broadening children's horizons before they start school. She takes the children into town, the aquarium and walks in the local vicinity. n Children demonstrate a positive attitude to learning. They persevere when they encounter difficulties. For example, when children try to pour water down a pipe, and it tips off the edge. They explore a variety of jugs before settling on the one with a spout to get a better aim. n The childminder and her assistant involve themselves very well in children's play and most children are excited and keen to engage with them. However, they

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need to do better?

allow some more confident children to dominate activities occasionally. As a result, some less confident children benefit slightly less from the excellent adult

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need to do better?

7 June 2021 interactions. n The childminder demonstrates a positive attitude to professional development. She has developed a good relationship with a local nursery chain. She discusses her practice and shares ideas. Furthermore, the childminder and her assistant access courses and webinars to keep their knowledge up to date. For example, they both speak positively about a speech and language course and how it supported them to learn about the use of dummies and how it affects speech. n The childminder and her assistant teach children how to keep themselves healthy. They have discussions about the importance of physical exercise and to rest when children say their heart is beating fast after running in the hot sun. There is good emphasis placed on washing hands to reduce the spread of infection. This helps children to develop good attitudes to personal care. n The childminder and her assistant help children to develop their listening and

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need to do better?

speaking skills. They read them fictional stories and introduce factual books. The childminder and her assistant use props to engage children and retain their attention. The childminder and her assistant introduce words, such as 'camouflage' and then explain the meaning of new words. This helps broaden children's growing vocabulary and supports their understanding of more complex words. n The childminder works closely with parents to help support children's ongoing care and learning. She sends regular updates to parents via an online application. She uses social media to give them ideas for activities to support children's learning at home. For example, the childminder uploads photographs of daily activities for parents to try at home. This helps to maintain continuity of learning. n The childminder and her assistant know children well. They know their interests and what they need to learn next. They use this information to create an

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need to do better?

exciting and diverse curriculum across all areas of learning. Furthermore, the childminder and her assistant get to know children's families and backgrounds and they use these details well to complement learning. For instance, they share strategies with parents such as how to nurture sharing. This helps to ensure children receive the same messages at home and in the setting. n The childminder uses additional funding well to benefit individual children. For example, she purchases dinosaurs to nurture children's interests and to support their speech and language development. A further purchase includes a dark tent to support children who may need to relax or calm down, this helps to support their social skills.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The childminder and her assistant have a clear understanding of their role and responsibility to safeguard children from potential harm. They are aware of the referral procedures to follow should they have a concern about a child's welfare. Their knowledge extends to any concerns regarding wider safeguarding issues, such as 'county lines'. The childminder and her assistant maintain relevant first-aid

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Safeguarding

7 June 2021 qualifications. This helps them to respond appropriately in the event of an accident or emergency. The childminder carries out and records regular fire drills to ensure children are aware of procedures in the event of an emergency.

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should:

n strengthen interactions with children to support those who may lack confidence to join in when others are dominating.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY560504 Local authority Lincolnshire Inspection number 10190669 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 12 Number of children on roll 27 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2018 and lives in Skegness, Lincolnshire. She operates all year round from 8am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, except for bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder holds an appropriate qualification at level 3. The childminder works with an assistant who holds an appropriate childcare 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 This was the first routine inspection the setting received since the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic began. The inspector discussed the impact of the pandemic with the childminder and has taken that into account in their evaluation of the setting. n The inspector looked around the areas of the setting available to children. n The inspector held discussions with the childminder, her assistant, and the children throughout the inspection. n The inspector observed the quality of education during activities indoors and outdoors and assessed the impact this has on children's learning. n The inspector spoke to a selection of parents during the inspection. n Relevant documentation was available for inspection, including suitability checks and qualifications as well as policies and procedures.

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Inspection activities

7 June 2021 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

7 June 2021 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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