Proctor, Heather Louise

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

The warm and caring childminder nurtures children's emotional well-being. A carefully organised 'garden gathering' has helped children to settle back in easily, following the short break they had to take due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The childminder creates a calming and relaxing atmosphere within her home. She welcomes children to hold on to their special comfort items during routines, such as at sleep time. This helps children to feel safe and secure and aids them with the ability to self-soothe. Children are clearly very happy and enjoy every minute of their time with this devoted childminder.

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The provision is good

The childminder promotes children's learning and development well. She encourages children to make their own independent choices during play. Children are keen to transfer materials, such as stones, from one area to another outdoors. They purposely use tools, such as a rod, to catch foam fish during play with water. Some children count with confidence up to 13. They accurately use one number name for each item. Children are imaginative. They use available resources, such as cardboard tubes, to create a pair of binoculars. Children are confident to engage in conversations with their friends. They openly share their thoughts on how to keep themselves and others safe. For example, during snack time, children explain to others that 'they need to chew their food up', to stay safe.

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need to do better?

n The well-qualified childminder spends quality time engaging with children. She plans a broad range of experiences that are shaped to children's learning needs and interests. Children are motivated to explore materials, such as dough. They use their imagination to create their own desired effect. Children rise to any challenges that the childminder presents them with. For instance, children demonstrate their increasingly good physical skills when cutting sturdier materials, such as uncooked spaghetti, using scissors. Children sustain interest and maintain good levels of concentration for their age. n The childminder places a sharp emphasis on supporting children's communication and language skills. She intervenes well during play. For example, the childminder asks a good range of questions to promote children's thinking. She introduces descriptive language, such as 'twist', to build on children's breadth of vocabulary. Children are confident communicators. They

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need to do better?

happily engage in conversations with others and gladly share their experiences. n Children are very strongly valued. The childminder encourages children to share information about the adventures that they have taken part in over the weekend with family and friends. She encourages children to openly discuss the similarities and differences that they notice, such as those associated with their belongings. Children share information about what makes them feel happy or

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need to do better?

23 November 2021 scared. They are beginning to learn that everyone is unique. n The childminder uses a gentle and sensitive approach to help children to gain a sense of what is right and wrong. She calmly intervenes to resolve any conflicts that arise during play. However, the childminder does not consistently teach children about the impact that their actions have on others. This does not fully support children to gain the very highest levels of respect for their friends. n Children demonstrate a sheer love for books and reading. The childminder enhances her learning areas with books, such as 'The Gruffalo', that she knows children enjoy. Children handle books carefully and usually turn the pages one at a time. They enjoy recreating their favourite characters from books. For example, children enjoy gathering twigs and leaves during their daily walks with the childminder. They use these to design and create their very own 'Stick Man'.

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need to do better?

n The childminder introduces new experiences, such as yoga sessions, to help to build on children's balance, flexibility and overall good health. Children are excited to interact and engage. They show increasing levels of determination when attempting to complete more complex moves, such as the 'frog pose'. n Partnerships with parents are good. The childminder makes a special effort to contact parents during the day, to keep them informed about their children's well-being, learning and progress. Parents report that the childminder provides a 'home-from-home environment' where children are 'happy to attend'. However, in contrast, the childminder has not yet established strong links with professionals from other settings that children attend. This does not promote the highest levels of continuity in children's care, learning and development.

p.3

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

p.3

Safeguarding

The well-trained childminder has a good knowledge of safeguarding. This includes the wider aspects, such as those associated with extreme views and practices. The childminder is alert to the signs and symptoms of abuse. She has a good knowledge of the procedures to follow to report any concerns about children's welfare. The childminder works closely with parents, to ensure that children's specific health needs are met. Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, the childminder has implemented more stringent infection control measures. For example, she provides children with their own art materials, such as individual tubs of dough, to limit cross-contamination. This is helping to prevent the spread of infection and contributing towards children's continued good health.

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should:

n build on children's early understanding of the impact that their actions have on others, to help them to develop consistently high levels of respect for their

p.3

should:

23 November 2021 friends n strengthen the links with other settings that children attend and share more in- depth information about children's ongoing care, learning and progress, to promote higher levels of continuity.

p.3

Setting details

Unique reference number EY553919 Local authority Lancashire Inspection number 10174431 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 6 Number of children on roll 5 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

p.5

Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2017 and lives in Broughton. She operates all year round, Monday to Thursday, from 7.30am to 5.30pm, with the exception of bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder provides funded early education for two-, three, and four-year-old children. She holds an appropriate qualification at level 3.

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Inspection activities

n This was the first routine inspection the provider 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 provider. n The childminder led the inspector on a learning walk to show how she organises the environment and to share information about her intent for the early years curriculum. n The inspector held discussions with the childminder and children at appropriate times during the inspection. n A planned activity was jointly evaluated by the inspector and the childminder. n The inspector took account of the written feedback from parents. n A sample of documents were viewed by the inspector. These included, evidence of suitability, a record of the childminder's qualifications and training and the policies and procedures.

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Inspection activities

23 November 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

23 November 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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