Elliman, Helen Elizabeth

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

The childminder is passionate about the service she provides for children and their families. She places children at the heart of everything she does. Throughout the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic, the childminder has regularly communicated with the children and their parents. She has conducted regular video group chats to maintain close relationships, support children's home learning and to check on everyone's emotional well-being and welfare.

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The provision is good

Children develop secure relationships with the childminder and her assistants. They show that they feel safe and secure while they sit closely together to share books and sing favourite songs. Children demonstrate excellent levels of independence and manage their hygiene practices and self-care needs very well. Children enthusiastically take part in activities, concentrate well and share with others. They are very well behaved and thrive in the nurturing environment.

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The provision is good

The childminder plans a good range of activities that broaden children's experiences, interests and vocabulary. For example, children talk about visiting the dentist and further explore oral hygiene while using toothbrushes to clean sets of chocolate-covered teeth. Children's independence, choice and decision-making are supported from an early age. They help to clean tables after activities and then choose what they would like to play with next. Children competently dress themselves in all-weather clothing to go outside, where they investigate the numerous resources and exciting outdoor activities that are accessible to them.

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need to do better?

n The childminder establishes positive relationships with parents, which is a real strength of the setting. Parents hold the childminder and her assistants in high regard. They praise them for the ongoing help and support they receive. They state how their children are extremely happy and have the confidence to be adventurous. They say that the childminder goes above and beyond all expectations. The childminder regularly shares advice and home learning activities to further support children's development. Parents feel that their children are making good progress as a result of attending this setting. n The childminder and her assistants build on children's love of books. They support early language and communication with the youngest children while looking at hard-backed sensory books. Older children engage in conversations, listen attentively to familiar stories and predict what happens next. The childminder recognises where children require additional help and support,

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need to do better?

especially since returning after any absence. Extra reading and singing, an emphasis on social skills, mealtimes and sitting together, and getting back into routines, are all focused areas that have helped children to get back on track.

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need to do better?

8 October 2021 n The childminder knows the children well. When they first begin to attend, she spends time with their parents to find out about their early experiences, interests and care needs. The childminder uses this information, alongside her own initial observations, to identify and plan for what children need to learn next. Settling-in procedures are adapted to enable children extra visits to get to know her. This works well and new starters are happy and settled. n The childminder has a wealth of experience, and one of her assistants has an early years qualification. Together, they all work as an effective team to provide ongoing support for children. The childminder has effective systems in place for the supervision and support of her assistants. She regularly evaluates their practice and ensures that they continue to develop their skills. The childminder also attends training. She recently completed training in special educational

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need to do better?

needs and has started a child psychology diploma to help her with children who may, in the future, require additional support. n Overall, the childminder plans interesting opportunities to help children to learn about the wider world. Children enjoy outdoor activities to practise their physical skills and to explore the natural environment while in the garden. In addition, babies enjoy daily visits to the park. The childminder teaches children to have consideration for others. However, children do not have consistent opportunities to share their own cultural heritage with each other to help to extend their understanding further of what makes them unique.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The childminder and her assistants ensure that the areas children have access to are clean, secure and well maintained. Regular checks of all areas, and the use of equipment such as safety gates and barriers, help to restrict young children's access to high-risk areas. Therefore, children play and explore in safety. The childminder and her assistants are familiar with the procedures to follow if they have concerns about any child in their care. In addition, the childminder is aware of who to contact and the process to follow if an allegation is made. The childminder and assistants complete regular training to keep their child protection and safeguarding knowledge updated and they all hold current paediatric first-aid certificates.

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should:

n enhance opportunities for children to share information about their own and each other's cultural heritage to help extend their understanding of what makes them unique.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY312658 Local authority Cumbria Inspection number 10207301 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 18 Number of children on roll 22 Date of previous inspection 9 August 2016

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2005 and lives in Carlisle, Cumbria. She operates all year round from 6.30am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, except for bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder works with two out of three assistants, one of whom holds an early years qualification. The childminder provides funded early 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 (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 and the inspector had a learning walk of the areas used by the children and discussed the setting's aims. n The inspector observed interactions between the childminder, assistants and the children, and she reviewed the impact on children's learning and development. n The childminder discussed children's progress and next steps with the inspector. n The inspector viewed required documentation and read feedback from parents.

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Inspection activities

8 October 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

8 October 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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