Scott, Heather Erin

Overall effectiveness Good

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

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The provision is good

Children enjoy the time they spend in this setting and build strong bonds with the kind and caring childminder. Children who are new settle quickly. The childminder works hard to ensure that all children feel safe and happy so that they develop positive attitudes for their future learning. Since the last visit, the childminder has maintained the improvements made. For example, she has robust risk assessment procedures in place that she uses well to help to keep her premises safe and secure.

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The provision is good

The childminder has high expectations for children's behaviour. For instance, she uses plenty of praise and encouragement to help to promote their good behaviour. Children behave well and have high levels of confidence and self-esteem. The childminder knows the children well and identifies what they need to learn next. Children enjoy visiting places in the local community, such as parks, beaches and community groups. The childminder uses these opportunities to provide children with additional learning opportunities. For instance, she teaches children how to care for animals, for example by feeding chickens and sheep when they visit a local nature group. This helps children to engage in activities in their community and develop an understanding of the world around them.

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need to do better?

n The childminder designs a curriculum so that children make progress across all areas of learning. For example, she provides children with good opportunities to develop their communication and language skills. The childminder listens to what children say. She repeats words back to children and sensitively helps them to hear the correct pronunciation of the words they find difficult to say. The childminder recognises that limiting the use of dummies can offer greater opportunities for children to practise their early communication skills. n The childminder observes children as they play and assesses their development, including those in receipt of funded early education. This helps her to notice any potential gaps in children's learning so that she can provide the additional support needed. The childminder makes learning fun and involves children in choosing what they would like to do. n Children are confident and self-assured as they explore the setting. They make

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need to do better?

independent choices in their play. For example, children access the garden where they ride on wheeled toys and skilfully climb on the apparatus. They play with small-world vehicles and build with blocks. The childminder plans the environment well to help children to develop good physical skills. n The childminder speaks to parents to gain knowledge about each child before they start. This includes information about children's likes and dislikes, their routines and what they already know, understand and can do. The childminder

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need to do better?

21 September 2021 uses this information well to help new children to settle quickly. n The childminder sits alongside children as they eat. She teaches them how to hold and use cutlery so that they can feed themselves. Younger children learn and develop good table manners and enjoy the social atmosphere at mealtimes. They are becoming increasingly independent. n The childminder meets regularly with other childminders to share ideas and evaluate her practice. She accesses statutory training to help to keep her knowledge up to date. However, she has not placed sufficient focus on identifying other professional development opportunities to enhance the quality of education further. n The childminder has adapted the way she operates during the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic. For example, she has introduced a 'doorstep' policy for parents to prevent additional adults entering her home. Parents are happy with

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need to do better?

the learning their children receive. They say their children thrive in the childminder's care. The childminder shares some information with parents about what their children do during the day, for example through daily discussions. However, she does not consistently share information with all parents so that they are aware of what their children need to learn next. This means that not all parents have the information they need to support and extend their children's learning further at home.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The childminder can clearly explain the signs and symptoms that may indicate a child is at risk of abuse or neglect. She knows the procedures to follow and who to contact should she have any concerns about a child's welfare. The childminder ensures that she shares information from training with her assistants, to help to keep their safeguarding knowledge up to date. The childminder frequently checks the environment for hazards and takes effective steps to minimise risk. For instance, she ensures that the outdoor environment is safe and ready before children use it. The childminder supervises children as they play, for example when using the large apparatus in the garden.

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should:

n sharpen the focus on professional development opportunities and enhance the quality of education further n share information about children's learning and development consistently with all parents, to further help them to support and extend their children's learning at home.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY411477 Local authority Sefton Inspection number 10204010 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 10 Date of previous inspection 3 October 2016

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2010 and lives in Southport. She operates all year round, from 8am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, except for bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder holds an appropriate childcare qualification at level 6. She provides funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children. The childminder occasionally employs assistants to help with the care of the children.

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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 has taken that into account in her evaluation of the setting. n The childminder showed the inspector the premises and discussed how she ensures that it is safe and suitable. n The childminder discussed with the inspector how she designs and organises the curriculum for the children in her care. n The inspector observed children at play and discussed their development with the childminder. n The inspector and the childminder completed a joint observation together. n Children communicated with the inspector during the inspection. n Parents shared their views of the setting with the inspector.

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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

21 September 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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