Childminder in Staffordshire

Overall effectiveness Good

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

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The provision is good

Children are welcomed into the childminder's home like family. They settle exceptionally well and play alongside each other. Children's individual needs are supported effectively. The childminder helps them to manage their feelings and behaviour well. This ensures that children feel happy, safe and secure.

p.2

The provision is good

Children have access to a wide range of resources and well-planned activities both inside and outside, which promote their interest in learning. They enjoy playing in the lovely outdoor space. Children access the wooden Wendy house where they play imaginatively. They pretend to make pizza in the oven and serve dinner to each other at the table and chairs. Children are growing their own sunflowers from seeds and take an interest in watering the plants with their own watering cans. They problem solve how to fill their watering cans with water. Children try out a number of ideas such as scooping water from the water tray or using toy boats to scoop and pour water. They then carefully carry these to the plants and water them to make them grow.

p.2

The provision is good

Children are highly motivated to learn and demonstrate a keen interest in books. The childminder has promoted this love of books by bringing stories to life. As she retells the story about a noisy farm, children look for laminated pictures of animals to peg onto their washing line and imitate the noises they make.

p.2

need to do better?

n The childminder uses self-evaluation more effectively and has made improvements since her last inspection. She uses observations of the children to plan and implement a curriculum designed to give children the required skills to make good progress in their learning. The childminder has attended recent training. She has used what she has learned to successfully extend activities further in order to develop children's early communication skills. Further training is also booked as the childminder recognises the importance of continuous improvement through professional development. n Parents report that their children love going to the childminder and they are regularly kept up to date with children's progress. The childminder ensures that the views of parents and their children are continually sought. She uses this information, along with her own reflections, to make improvements that benefit all children. However, the childminder is less effective at supporting parents to

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need to do better?

further extend their child's learning at home. n Children are learning the importance of a healthy lifestyle. They are reminded to wash their hands after messy play and before eating. Children have opportunities to develop their physical skills as they play outside. They run around the garden and use resources, such as the slide, to build core muscle

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need to do better?

22 June 2021 skills. However, the childminder does not fully promote children's independence and self-care skills. At times, she is too quick to assist rather than letting children do things for themselves. n The childminder has forged good links with other childcare settings which children attend. She uses her assessments of children's development and information from other professionals to identify gaps in children's learning. Cohesive plans are put into place to provide a consistent approach and targeted support. This helps to narrow and close any gaps in children's learning. n Children's imagination skills are promoted well. They thoroughly enjoy playing with an extensive small world farm. Children place animals in the barn and stables, and create fenced areas for the farmer to look after his animals. They are learning early mathematical concepts as they match the coloured shapes to the corresponding shape on the cardboard pig's tummy.

p.2

need to do better?

n Children are fully engaged in their learning. They enjoy mark marking with a number of different tools. Children are starting to learn to hold pens and put meaning to their drawings. They talk about the 'fairies' they have drawn. The childminder promotes early literacy skills very well. Children enjoying pulling animals out of the bag and matching them to a laminated card. They confidently name the animals and make the sounds that different animals make. n Children make good progress in their learning and acquire skills that will assist them in their next stage of learning and eventual move to school. They are encouraged to be kind and take turns. Children behave exceptionally well.

p.3

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

p.3

Safeguarding

The childminder attends regular training on safeguarding, which helps her maintain and develop her understanding of child protection and wider safeguarding issues. She is aware of the correct procedures to follow if she has concerns about children in her care. The childminder also keeps a log of any concerns or incidents which she can refer back to. She regularly carries out effective risk assessments, indoors and outdoors, to ensure animals do not pose a risk to children. Children are being taught to manage their own risks while playing. They navigate a small slope in the garden when using resources to ensure they do not topple down.

p.3

should:

n encourage children to develop their independence and self-care skills further n build on ways to support parents in helping to continue their children's learning at home.

p.3

Setting details

Unique reference number 209423 Local authority Staffordshire Inspection number 10133099 Type of provision Childminder

p.4

Registers

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

p.4

inspection

Total number of places 6 Number of children on roll 2 Date of previous inspection 25 November 2019

p.4

Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 1995 and lives in the Weston Downs area of Stafford. She operates all year round from 6.45am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, except bank holidays, Christmas and family holidays.

p.4

Inspection activities

n This was the first routine inspection the setting received since the 2020-21 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 completed a learning walk with the childminder, observed her teaching practice during activities indoors and outdoors, and assessed the impact this has on children's learning. n The childminder and the inspector conducted a joint observation of an activity. n The inspector looked at relevant documentation, including paediatric first aid, public liability insurance and the suitability of those living or working on the premises. n The inspector spoke to the childminder and children at appropriate times and took into account written feedback from parents.

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Inspection activities

22 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

22 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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