Childminder in Lancashire

Overall effectiveness Outstanding

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

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The provision is outstanding

Children flourish in the welcoming, safe and homely environment that the childminder has successfully created. Children are extremely happy, content and confident. They clearly demonstrate their enjoyment as they engage intently in the activities provided and behave exceptionally well. Children show impressive levels of concentration and perseverance as they master and consolidate their skills. For example, children develop the small muscles in their hands and refine their hand- eye coordination as they push chopsticks through holes in a cardboard box. Their learning is expertly challenged by the childminder. For example, she encourages children to use tools, such as small wooden hammers, and models how to rotate their wrists to push the sticks through the side of the box. This supports young children to develop the essential skills required in preparation for writing.

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The provision is outstanding

The childminder's dedication to her role in providing exemplary care and learning experiences is evident in all that she does. During the COVID-19 pandemic, she recognised the importance of maintaining relationships with children to ensure their emotional security and overall well-being. She read children a bedtime story every night via video call and delivered activity packs for children to enjoy at home with their parents. This helped to ensure that children did not miss out on any learning opportunities. Furthermore, it had an instrumental impact on children's smooth transitions back into her setting.

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need to do better?

n Children feel immensely secure in the childminder's warm and nurturing care. Toddlers develop exceptionally strong attachments with the childminder as a result of her kind and caring approach and highly-flexible settling-in arrangements. For example, the childminder swiftly adapted her practice as a result of the pandemic. She met children in a local park where she began establishing relationships with them as they chatted and went for a walk. The childminder used this important time to gather pertinent information from parents, which she successfully used to help young children settle seamlessly into her home. n The childminder's uncompromising understanding of how children learn is inspirational. She plans an ambitious curriculum that truly reflects children's individual needs and interests. The childminder has wonderfully high expectations of children, who benefit from her commitment and enthusiasm. A

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need to do better?

highly stimulating and very well-resourced learning environment enables children to confidently make independent choices. Furthermore, it supports children's innate motivation to explore and investigate. For example, children learn how things work. They operate a hand-held light, noticing that the light only remains on momentarily when they press the button. The skilful guidance of the

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need to do better?

9 December 2021 childminder supports children to develop an awareness of cause and effect. They persevere in pushing the button hard enough to switch the light on correctly. n The childminder values and respects children's unique needs and individuality and ensures that her practice is fully inclusive. She skilfully teaches children about difference and diversity and encourages children to develop an astute understanding of communities wider than their own. She challenges stereotypes and ensures that her resources and story books reflect children's heritage and culture. This successfully promotes inclusion and prepares children for life in modern Britain. n Children have an enormous love of books and reading. They frequently choose their favourite stories throughout the day and snuggle in the childminder's lap to listen and help to turn the pages. The childminder reads with great enthusiasm and expression. She names objects and uses descriptive language as she talks

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need to do better?

about the characters. This successfully builds on children's understanding and enhances their growing vocabularies. n Children's health and well-being is supported tremendously well by the childminder. Children enjoy yoga sessions and learn the importance of good dental health. They have daily opportunities to engage in outdoor physical play and delight in walking to places of interest in the local community. They follow stringent hygiene procedures and enjoy healthy and nutritious meals and snacks. n The childminder demonstrates an incredibly high level of personal ambition and strives to be the very best childminder that she can. She attends purposeful training opportunities that have a significant impact on sustaining excellent outcomes for children. For example, her research on children's emotional resilience and how to help children regulate their feelings and emotions helps ensure children feel safe and able to function socially.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The childminder has an excellent understanding of how to keep children safe. She has an in-depth awareness of all safeguarding issues that may affect children's well-being and welfare. She is extremely secure in the process of reporting child protection concerns and knows how to identify potential signs of abuse. Children's welfare is paramount and central to the childminder's practice. She takes exceptional care to ensure her practice reflects changes in guidance and legislation. Robust risk assessments are completed for all areas of her home and when on outings, to ensure that children are safe when in her care.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 307876 Local authority Lancashire Inspection number 10122849 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 7 Date of previous inspection 16 May 2016

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder was registered in 1994 and lives in Rawtenstall. She operates all year round from 7.15am until 5.30pm Monday to Thursday, except bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder holds an appropriate qualification at level 3. She provides funded early education for three- and four-year-old children.

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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 her evaluation of the provider. n Discussions were held with the childminder and children at appropriate times throughout the inspection. n A learning walk was completed with the childminder to discuss the curriculum intent and how the provision is organised. n The childminder and inspector completed a joint evaluation of an activity. n The inspector reviewed a variety of documents, including evidence of the suitability of those living in the household, qualifications, first-aid certificates and policies and procedures. n The inspector observed interactions between the childminder and children during activities and assessed the impact of teaching on children's learning.

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Inspection activities

9 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

9 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

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