Childminder in Cheshire West and Chester

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

The childminder and her assistant provide children with a home-from-home environment which is calm and full of purposeful play and learning. Parents are not able to come into the childminder's home because of the COVID-19 (coronavirus) restrictions. Children are greeted at the front door by the childminder and happily come in to join their friends. Parents receive information on what their child is doing through discussions with the childminder and photographs sent to them during the day.

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The provision is good

The children are very confident with visitors. They are very well behaved and play cooperatively together, actively including everyone in their play. Children remind one another, including younger children or those new to the setting, of the simple rules which help things run safely and smoothly. The childminder provides children with a wide range of toys and equipment to explore. She has carefully selected them to support children's next steps in learning or to help them practise new skills. The childminder identifies where she can extend children's learning by, for example, encouraging children to count out the pieces when playing a board game. She increases the difficulty of the task for children with a stronger understanding. Children concentrate on what is being taught and confidently take part in all the planned activities.

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need to do better?

n The childminder knows the children well. She has clear aims for what she wants them to learn in readiness for the move on to school. The childminder understands what each child needs to learn next and provides activities which meet these targets. She recognises that many activities can be adapted to meet different curriculum needs for each of the children. However, the childminder does not share this information with her assistant in enough detail to allow him to understand precisely how he can support these curriculum aims. n The children are very confident and have a positive attitude to learning. They have very good communication skills and talk with self-assurance and clarity. Children's vocabulary is extended through meaningful conversations with each other and the childminder and her assistant. They enjoy stories and start to recognise written letters and the sounds they represent. Children deepen their

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need to do better?

understanding of small numbers, shapes and colours through activities. For example, they enjoy making a rocket out of paper shapes, and see that triangles can look different from one another but are still triangles. n Parents praise the warmth of the childminder's care for their children, stating that 'nothing is too much trouble'. They complement the range of activities the childminder and her assistant provide. Parents say their children's development has 'come on in leaps and bounds' since they started attending her setting. The

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need to do better?

22 June 2021 childminder provides information and advice to parents about how they can, for example, support children's toilet training or behaviour management. However, she does not include information on extending other aspects of learning at home to fully support children's learning. n The childminder uses online forums to keep up to date with changes in legislation and safeguarding issues. She ensures that both herself and her assistant have completed mandatory training, such as first aid. n Children are exposed to a range of experiences which develop their understanding of the world around them. They understand that there are differences in families, the languages people speak, the traditional foods they eat and the religious festivals they celebrate. n Children have good relationships with one another. Those new to the setting settle quickly and start to learn from their new friends. They are kind to one

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need to do better?

another and are provided with activities which help them practise turn taking and sharing. The atmosphere is supportive and respectful. n The environment has been adapted since the previous inspection to help develop children's independence. Children confidently select activities and have easy access to a range of books in the playroom. They express their needs and start to independently manage using the toilet.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The childminder understands what would constitute a safeguarding concern and where she should report any concerns. She and her assistant have undertaken safeguarding refresher training. The childminder ensures that suitability checks are undertaken by Ofsted for anyone over the age of 16 years who lives or works on the premises. When walking to school with early years and school-age children, she ensures they understand the rules and helps them learn about road safety. Children are always within her or her assistant's sight or hearing and she keeps a record of their attendance. The environment is secure and well maintained, helping to ensure children's safety.

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should:

n develop further the sharing of information with any assistants about the next steps in children's learning n extend the information shared with parents about how they can support their children's learning at home.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY445578 Local authority Cheshire West and Chester Inspection number 10190021 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 15 Date of previous inspection 8 February 2019

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2013 and lives in Chester. She operates all year round from 7.30am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, except for bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder works with an assistant and provides funded education for two-, three- and four-year-old children.

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Inspection activities

n This was the first routine inspection the childminder received since the COVID- 19 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 childminder showed the inspector the areas of the house which are used for childminding. She discussed how the curriculum is planned and implemented. n The quality of teaching during activities and routines was observed by the inspector, who assessed the impact this has on children's learning. n The inspector completed a discussion about an activity with the childminder. n The inspector held discussions with the childminder, her assistant and the children. She looked at relevant documentation, such as the register and documents which establish the suitability of family members. n Some parents spoke to the inspector prior to the inspection by telephone. The inspector also looked at some questionnaires completed by parents and took

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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

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

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/ofsted

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