Childminder in Sefton

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 arrive happily at the childminder's welcoming home. They show positive relationships with the childminder and her assistants, for example, children run to the childminder for a cuddle. Children demonstrate that they are content, safe and emotionally secure. Children behave very well. They are keen to help each other and act responsibly. For example, an older child helps a younger child to find their shoe. Children are confident to speak to the inspector about what they have been doing at the childminder's home. Children are regularly praised for their achievements, which supports their self-esteem. Children develop a positive attitude to learning at the setting. They listen and respond attentively and show good levels of concentration. The childminder and her assistants offer experiences that build on children's previous skills and prepares them well for future learning. They identify what it is that children need to learn next through observations and

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The provision is good

assessments. For example, they highlighted the need for children to continue to develop their communication and language skills. Children are exposed to a wide range of stories and rhymes. They enthusiastically join in with a familiar story and delight in showing the inspector the actions. Children are beginning to use more complex words as the childminder and assistants model new vocabulary. Parents comment on the progress their children make throughout their time in the setting. Since the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic, the childminder has changed the process for arrival and collection. Parents must now wait outside. Children have adapted very well to this, they come inside confidently and wash their hands with the hand gel provided.

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need to do better?

n The childminder finds out from parents about what the children already know and can do when they first start. Overall, she uses this information effectively to plan for what the children need to learn next. n Parents speak very highly of the childminder. They say that she is 'like a member of the family'. They are kept informed on a daily basis. The childminder keeps parents updated with children's learning and development. Parents are encouraged to share children's experiences and achievements from home. Parents comment that they are listened to and are able to ask for advice when needed. For example, when children are potty training, the childminder provides guidance to support parents to continue with this at home. n The childminder provides a range of healthy meals and snacks, which all children enjoy. She teaches children which foods are healthy and provides water bottles for them to have regular drinks from. This contributes towards their physical

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need to do better?

health and well-being. n The childminder is a good mentor to her apprentices. She skilfully prompts them to extend children's vocabulary. They say they feel supported by the

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need to do better?

22 June 2021 childminder. However, the childminder did not tell Ofsted when she employed them. Once this was identified she took immediate action and provided Ofsted with the information required to carry out suitability checks. The childminder had already obtained Disclosure and Barring Service checks and followed her own thorough recruitment procedures for the assistants. Furthermore, the assistants are never left alone with children, which minimised any risk to their safety. n The childminder teaches children about empathy and how to care for living things. Children are gentle and show consideration as they help to feed the childminder's pet. Children have enjoyed watching the childminder's puppy grow and change. They excitedly explain to the inspector how much the puppy has grown in size as they stretch out their arms to demonstrate. n The childminder helps children to be ready for school. For example, she talks to

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need to do better?

the children about uniform colours, teacher's names and teaches them school prayers. This helps children to feel familiar with their new setting before they start. n The childminder takes steps to improve her own professional development, through online reading and research. She plans to find local networking opportunities with other childminders, to share information and good practice ideas, when COVID-19 restrictions allow. However, the self-evaluation process is not yet precisely focused to identify specific areas for improvement, such as ensuring that planning provides children with opportunities to develop high levels of independence, the ability to make decisions and lead their own play.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The childminder ensures that her premises are safe and secure, for example, she regularly checks the garden fences to ensure there are no gaps and she has a camera doorbell so she can see who is at the door. The childminder shares information with parents about online safety for children. The childminder and her assistants keep up to date with safeguarding training. They know the signs that might indicate a child is at risk of harm and know which agencies to contact should these concerns arise. The childminder and her assistants hold current paediatric first-aid certificates.

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should:

n ensure the curriculum is well planned and provides children with opportunities to develop independence and the ability to make their own decisions n develop the use of self-evaluation to help to identify areas for improvement that will have the greatest impact on improving children's learning outcomes.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY551927 Local authority Sefton Inspection number 10174148 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 10 Number of children on roll 17 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2017 and lives in Bootle. The childminder operates all year round from 8am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, except for bank holidays and family holidays. She holds a relevant childcare qualification at level 3. The childminder works with two assistants.

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Inspection activities

n This was the first routine inspection the setting received since the COVID-19 pandemic began. The inspector discussed the impact of the pandemic with the childminder and has taken this into account in the evaluation of the setting. n The childminder explained how she organises the curriculum to meet the children's needs. n The inspector and the childminder observed an activity together and completed a follow-up discussion about the children's learning and development. n The childminder spoke to the inspector about how she leads and manages her setting. n The inspector spoke to the apprentices about their training and the support they receive from the childminder. n Parents shared their views of the setting with the inspector. n Children were spoken to and the childminder and inspector held ongoing discussions throughout the inspection. n Relevant documentation was checked and discussed, such as policies and

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Inspection activities

procedures, the inspector reviewed the childminder's self-evaluation and checked evidence of her suitability.

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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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