Childminder in Knowsley

Overall effectiveness Good

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

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The provision is good

Children thoroughly enjoy their time in the care of the childminder and her assistant. They are happy, settled and demonstrate a strong sense of belonging. Children enjoy a well-planned curriculum, however, on occasion, this lacks ambition for children who learn quickly. Children are taught the skills and knowledge they need to prepare them well for school.

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The provision is good

Children are eager to learn and try new things. They are encouraged to think, solve problems and discover why things happen. Children move confidently and make meaningful choices as they experiment and investigate how things work. For example, children repeatedly pour water down a selection of wall-mounted tubes to see where the water flows fastest. They learn about shape, size and volume as they work out how much water or how many pebbles they can fit into different containers. Children's communication and language is promoted very well. Children use mathematical language with increasing accuracy as they talk confidently about quantity, shape and size. Children enjoy learning outdoors. The childminder uses her outdoor area effectively to promote all areas of children's learning and development.

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The provision is good

During the COVID-19 pandemic, any disruption to children's learning was minimised. The childminder routinely shared information and, at times, resources. This helped parents to continue to support and build on their child's learning at home.

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need to do better?

n The childminder gives high priority to children's personal, social and emotional development. Children have formed secure attachments with the childminder, her assistant and with their peers. They value the time they spend together and enjoy talking about their own families. The childminder effectively uses photos to strengthen children's awareness of their own identity. The childminder provides fewer opportunities for children to deepen their knowledge and understanding of similarities and differences between themselves and others in society, in preparation for life in modern Britain. n The childminder is a positive role model. She clearly explains behavioural expectations and supports children as they learn to recognise, understand and manage their own feelings and behaviours. n The childminder closely monitors the progression of children's speech and provides a good level of support. She models language well and provides lots of

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need to do better?

opportunities for children to extend their vocabulary. Children enjoy songs, rhymes and stories as part of their daily routine. They confidently recall familiar stories and eagerly anticipate their opportunity to complete repeated phrases.

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need to do better?

17 November 2021 n The childminder provides a well-sequenced curriculum for literacy. Children are learning that print carries meaning. They spontaneously make marks for a purpose using a wide range of materials. Children have excellent opportunities to develop strength and dexterity in their wrists and fingers. This prepares them well for eventual handwriting. For example, children learn how to twist and turn their wrists to open and close bottle tops. They strengthen their finger muscles as they pull the trigger to spray water. n Children are learning about the importance of a healthy lifestyle, including the importance of good oral health. They benefit from daily opportunities to be physically active in the fresh air and daylight, which helps to promote their good health and well-being. The childminder provides a range of freshly prepared healthy meals and snacks and children routinely brush their teeth.

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need to do better?

n The childminder provides some excellent opportunities for children to learn about the natural world. Children recall their previous learning when they spontaneously use the magnifying glass to find spiders. Children are becoming increasingly aware of the changing seasons and how to dress for the weather. They show high levels of independence as they get ready to go outside. n The childminder manages her setting well and routinely reflects on the quality of her provision. She is committed to her own and the professional development of her assistant, to further improve outcomes for children. Parents comment very positively on the quality of education and the rapid progress that their children make. However, those who learn quickly are not always challenged to the highest level.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The childminder and her assistant have a clear understanding of their roles and responsibilities regarding child protection. They complete regular training, update procedures and retain guidance to ensure they can implement appropriate procedures without delay. This includes what to do in the event of an allegation being made against any adults working with the children or living on the premises. The childminder takes steps to minimise identified risks to help keep children safe. Children are becoming increasingly aware of their own safety and how they can help keep themselves safe, for example by using small tools with care.

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should:

n strengthen the educational programme to deepen children's understanding of the diversity of life in modern Britain n enhance the programme for professional development in order to construct a highly ambitious curriculum to offer more challenge for children who learn

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY438435 Local authority Knowsley Metropolitan Borough Council Inspection number 10101191 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 13 Date of previous inspection 8 March 2019

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2012 and lives in Halewood, Knowsley. She works with an assistant. The childminder operates all year round from 7am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, except for bank holidays and family holidays.

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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 We carried out this inspection as a result of a risk assessment, following information we received about the provider. n The inspector observed the quality of education being provided. She assessed the impact these activities had on children's learning. She completed a learning walk with the manager to discuss how the curriculum is planned and implemented. n The childminder and the inspector discussed how the teaching observed extended children's understanding and linked into the learning intentions for the children. n The inspector looked at relevant documentation and evidence of the suitability of staff working with the childminder. n The inspector took account of the views of parents.

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Inspection activities

n The childminder, her assistant and the children were spoken to by the inspector during the inspection. The childminder explained why they were undertaking some activities and how they worked with individual children.

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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

17 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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