Childminder in Stoke-on-Trent

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

p.1

The provision is good

Children are happy and settled with the childminder and her assistants in the relaxed and homely environment. They use a selection of interesting and good quality resources, which the childminder thoughtfully organises. Children easily choose what they would like to play with and learn through an effective balance of child-initiated and adult-led activities. They make good progress from their starting points.

p.2

The provision is good

Children form strong attachments with the friendly and professional childminder and her assistants. This helps children to feel safe and secure. They receive an abundance of encouragement and praise for their achievements. This contributes to children's sense of belonging and growing self-esteem. Children's behaviour is good. The childminder and her assistants act as excellent role models for the children. Children are reminded to use their manners and share the resources. They learn to manage their own behaviour through the childminder's strategies, which are implemented effectively.

p.2

The provision is good

Children develop an understanding of diversity. They learn about cultures that are different from their own. For example, they have fun tasting foods from other countries and learning about festivals and celebrations from around the world. Children enjoy going on outings to the local park to widen their experiences. They practise their physical skills as they use climbing apparatus and travel down the slide. The childminder and her assistants use the environment to extend children's learning. For example, when children walk upstairs they count with them how many steps there are, helping to develop their understanding of quantity and number.

p.2

need to do better?

n The childminder and her assistants know the children very well. They carry out regular observations of what children know and can do. This helps them to plan a curriculum that takes account of what children need to learn next. n The childminder and assistants keep their knowledge and skills up to date. They complete training courses online and share ideas on best practice. The childminder has identified gaps that have emerged in children's learning as a result of the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic. The childminder and her assistants organise one-to-one time with children to close the gaps and help them develop skills for future learning. n The childminder and her assistants work well together and share the same vision and drive. However, the childminder does not evaluate her assistant's quality of teaching to enhance the standard of the already good practice and learning opportunities children receive.

p.2

need to do better?

26 July 2021 n Children are supported well to develop their communication and language skills. The childminder engages children in conversations as they play, offering ideas and suggestions to further extend their learning. The childminder skilfully repeats words back so children can hear the correct pronunciation and extends children's short phrases into sentences. n Children are supported effectively to develop a love of books. They choose from a wide selection of books and handle them with care. Children have fun using their imagination. For example, they pretend to iron clothes and use pretend construction tools. n Children become engaged in their chosen activity and learn new skills. For example, children become focused on a threading activity. The childminder skilfully extends the activity by asking children to count the wooden pieces they have threaded. The childminder recognises when to adapt her teaching and

p.2

need to do better?

resources to focus on the individual learning abilities of all children. n The childminder has developed good links with the local school to support smooth transitions. The childminder provides before- and after-school care. However, she misses opportunities to find out what children who attend the school are being taught to provide continuity in their learning. n The childminder identifies those children with special educational needs and/or disabilities. She works closely with parents and other professionals to ensure all children continue to make good progress. n The childminder develops positive relationships with parents. She keeps them updated about the progress their children are making. The childminder provides ideas for parents to continue their learning at home. Parents speak positively about the childminder and her assistants and say they are thankful for the care their children receive and the lovely memories their children are making.

p.3

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

p.3

Safeguarding

The childminder and her assistants have a good understanding of the signs that may indicate a child is at risk of abuse or neglect. They have good knowledge of safeguarding protocols and actions to take if there are any concerns over a child's welfare. The childminder and her assistants keep their knowledge up to date on wider safeguarding issues, including children and/or families being drawn into extreme situations. The childminder implements a variety of policies and procedures, which help to support children's welfare. The childminder conducts regular risk assessments of the areas children use and when taking children on outings to ensure their safety.

p.3

should:

26 July 2021 n implement ways to monitor and evaluate the standard of teaching of the assistants, to help raise the quality of practice to an outstanding level n enhance communication with teachers at the school where children attend, to provide continuity of learning for the children.

p.3

Setting details

Unique reference number EY550233 Local authority Stoke-on-Trent Inspection number 10143555 Type of provision Childminder

p.5

Registers

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

p.5

inspection

Total number of places 21 Number of children on roll 17 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

p.5

Information about this early years setting

The childminder works at the premises of her co-childminder who lives in Stoke-on- Trent. The childminder operates all year round from 7.15am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, except bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder provides funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children.

p.5

Inspection activities

n This was the first routine inspection the childminder received since the COVID- 19 (coronavirus) pandemic began. The inspector discussed the impact of the pandemic with the childminder and took that into account in their evaluation of the childminder and her assistants. n The inspector completed a learning walk with the childminder and discussed how she implements her educational programme. n The quality of teaching and the impact on children's learning was observed. n The inspector held a number of discussions with the childminder and her assistants at appropriate times during the inspection. n The inspector looked at relevant documentation and evidence of the suitability of persons living in the household.

p.5

Inspection activities

26 July 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.

p.5

Inspection activities

26 July 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.

p.6

Inspection activities

If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 1231, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk .

p.7

Inspection activities

You may reuse this information (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. To view this licence, visit www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/ , write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk

p.7

Inspection activities

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more information and updates: http://eepurl.com/iTrDn .

p.7

Inspection activities

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

p.7