Childminder in Blackburn with Darwen

Overall effectiveness Requires improvement

The quality of education Good Behaviour and attitudes Good Personal development Good Leadership and management Requires improvement Overall effectiveness at previous inspection Not applicable

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The provision requires improvement

Parents report that toddlers shout 'hurrah' when they drive up to the childminder's house. Children show that they feel welcome and safe when she cheerfully greets them. They eagerly report events and adventures from home. The childminder skilfully asks questions that help children to remember and say more. Children of all ages feel valued and learn to speak with confidence. Children have fun learning to count. They join in enthusiastically when the childminder covers her eyes, counts up to five, and asks if her surprise is ready yet. Older children use their knowledge of numbers in different ways. They accurately count how many spiders they have found and do simple calculations.

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The provision requires improvement

Parents and carers say how much they enjoy receiving information about their children during the day, such as via digital photos. They feel reassured that children are busy and happy. Parents comment that children's speech 'came on leaps and bounds' in the childminder's provision. However, the childminder does not fully involve parents in completing the required progress check for children between the ages of two and three years. This makes the check less effective in promoting children's progress. The childminder keeps a register of children's attendance. However, she does not record the hours that children attend her provision. This makes it more difficult for the childminder to monitor children's attendance accurately.

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need to do better?

n The childminder does not record children's hours of attendance. This has the potential to compromise children's welfare, should accurate information about their whereabouts be required. n The childminder makes accurate assessments of children's progress. However, she does not fully involve parents in completing the progress check for children between the ages of two and three years. She does not take steps to coincide the check with the development review carried out by health visitors at age two. This limits opportunities for everyone to work together to support children's progress effectively. n The childminder promotes children's communication and language development really well. She helps children to consider what 'run amok' means when the dinosaurs in a favourite rhyming story hunt greedily for underpants. In another example, children think about words to describe weather. If it is not 'hot' and

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need to do better?

not 'cold', the best word might be 'warm'. This thinking and talking helps children to build a meaningful vocabulary and to gain knowledge about the world. n The childminder carefully sequences children's learning. Younger children play percussion instruments to accompany the 'hello song'. They start and stop

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need to do better?

28 October 2021 playing when the singing does. The childminder intends to build on this, so that children learn to play in time with the rhythm. Her curriculum planning helps children to gain skills and knowledge ready to start school. n Children learn to care for and think about others. They chop fruit to feed to the guinea pigs, then look to see which type of fruit the animals like best. The investigation helps children to think about everyone's individual preferences. They learn to respect choices that are different to their own. n The childminder plans everyday opportunities for children to develop independence. She gives just enough support to enable children to put their coats on and fasten the zips. Children feel proud of their achievements and want to keep learning. n The design of the outdoor play area demonstrates the childminder's good understanding of how children learn. Children busily dig toy spiders out of the

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need to do better?

compost. They go on imaginary bus, train and plane journeys in the adaptable home-made 'vehicle'. Children check for residents in the 'bug home' and work happily in the mud kitchen. They become deeply involved in self-chosen play that promotes their enjoyment and good progress. n The childminder helps children to follow her consistent rules for their behaviour. When two children want the same toy spider, they practise asking politely for a turn. This helps children to learn good manners. They begin to manage their own emotions and to develop self-control. n Parents comment that recent changes to staffing were managed smoothly. Parents are also pleased with how the childminder kept them informed when COVID-19 restrictions prevented them from being inside her house. They feel that the changes that she made to routines helped to keep everyone safe.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The childminder completes training that helps her to refresh and update her knowledge of child protection matters. She knows where to seek advice and support if she has concerns that a child is at risk of abuse or neglect. The childminder minimises risks to children's safety. For example, she teaches children why they must not leave spoon handles sticking out of their mouths. On outings, children look closely at mushrooms but know that they must not touch them. The childminder teaches children rules about road safety. They stay together and always cross at the same safe place.

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Due date

28 October 2021 maintain a daily record of children's hours of attendance 12/11/2021

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Due date

improve knowledge and implementation of the progress check for children between the ages of two and three years. 12/11/2021

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Setting details

Unique reference number 2585015 Local authority Blackburn with Darwen Inspection number 10209721 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 6 Number of children on roll 10 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2020 and lives in Darwen. Her provision operates all year round, from 7am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, except for bank holidays and family holidays. 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 pandemic began. The inspector discussed the impact of the pandemic with the provider and has taken that into account in their evaluation of the childminder. n The childminder explained how she plans and sequences her curriculum. The inspector and the childminder discussed the impact of routines and activities on children's progress and development. n Four parents spoke with the inspector. The inspector has taken account of their views. n The inspector spoke with children and observed their play. n Documents that are used in the provision were sampled by the inspector. She checked evidence of the suitability of the childminder and members of her household.

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Inspection activities

28 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

28 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

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

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