Childminder in Cheshire East

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

Children feel secure and happy in the friendly company of the childminder and her assistant. Babies are alert and smiley. They sit contentedly on the floor among well-placed cushions that help to protect them if they wobble over. The babies reach to pick up toys that catch their interest. This enables them to develop their strength, balance and hand-to-eye coordination. Toddlers enjoy posting wooden animals into the toy ark. They seek the support of the childminder's assistant to help them. Toddlers show their enjoyment and welcome the assistant's sensitive interaction. They concentrate well and complete the task. This helps to promote children's good progress and confidence.

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The provision is good

Parents and carers describe the childminder as being 'professional' and 'caring'. They praise the support that she gave them when restrictions were in force due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The childminder has taken good account of the impact of periods of lockdown on children's social development. For example, she uses pictures to help children to talk with her about their emotions. This supports children to understand their feelings and to regulate their own behaviour. Children begin to enjoy and benefit from being part of a group.

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need to do better?

n The childminder and her assistant work as a team and support each other. Children copy their example and learn to play together and be helpful. At tidy-up time, children join in with putting away toys they have been playing with. n Overall, the childminder and her assistant have a good understanding of how children learn. However, sometimes, they do not identify precisely enough what children already know and what they need to learn next. For example, they ask toddlers to place the corresponding number of balls of play dough onto number cards. Children lose interest because they do not have enough knowledge of numbers to complete the task. n The childminder and her assistant attend training that helps them to improve the provision. They learn about children's oral hygiene and share their knowledge with children and parents. For example, the childminder encourages parents to take children to the dentist. Children begin to understand why cleaning their

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need to do better?

teeth regularly is important for their health. n Children often hear words in meaningful contexts. For instance, they hear the words 'top' and 'bottom' when they clean their own teeth and play with sets of plastic false teeth. This helps children to extend their vocabulary. However, sometimes, the childminder and her assistant do not make the most of opportunities to help children to learn language. For example, they use long sentences that make it difficult for children to pick out the precise meaning. This does not help babies and toddlers to make the swiftest possible progress in their

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need to do better?

7 December 2021 speech development. n Children choose from a wide range of books. They enjoy cuddling with the childminder or her assistant to listen to stories. This helps children to learn that written words carry meaning. They discover that reading is interesting and enjoyable. n The childminder establishes and follows consistent routines. Children know what will happen next, which helps to promote their emotional well-being and self- control. The childminder and her assistant promote children's confidence and independence effectively. They encourage babies and toddlers to feed themselves at lunchtime. n Children play outside and learn about the weather. For example, they know that they need to put coats, hats and gloves on to keep warm when the weather is cold. Children run around. They catch and throw balls. This helps to promote children's strength and fitness as they grow. n The childminder uses additional funding to promote children's well-being and

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need to do better?

progress. For example, the childminder observed that children enjoy water play and playing outside. She purchased a water table. The resource has had a positive impact on children's engagement and their concentration has improved. n The childminder shares information with other settings that children attend. This supports continuity in children's welfare and development. The childminder participates in multi-agency group planning to support children with special educational needs and/or disabilities. This helps the childminder to ensure that her provision supports children and parents effectively.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The childminder understands her responsibility to safeguard children's welfare. She and her assistant complete training that refreshes and updates their knowledge of local child protection procedures. They know how to report concerns that children are at risk of abuse or neglect. The childminder identifies and minimises risks to children in her home. For example, the childminder's assistant carries out safety checks before children go outdoors. She makes sure that no hazardous items have been thrown over the fence into the garden. The childminder prepares children's food and drink safely. She makes babies' bottles freshly for each feed. She chops toddlers' food to a consistency that helps to keep them safe from choking.

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should:

n sequence children's learning more effectively so as to focus practice more precisely on what children know and are ready to learn next n strengthen techniques for modelling language so that children hear new and

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should:

7 December 2021 familiar words during activities and daily routines.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY553756 Local authority Cheshire East Inspection number 10174209 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 Not applicable

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2017 and lives in Crewe. She operates all year round from 7.30am 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. She works with an assistant.

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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 childminder and has taken that into account in her evaluation of the provision. n The childminder and the inspector discussed the childminder's intentions for children's learning. n The inspector observed interactions between the childminder, her assistant and children. She spoke with and played with children. n One parent spoke on the telephone with the inspector. The inspector looked at written feedback from parents. She took account of parents' views. n Documents used in the childminder's setting were sampled by the inspector. The inspector checked evidence of the suitability of the childminder and members of her household aged 16 years and over.

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Inspection activities

7 December 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

7 December 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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