Simmons, India 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 Requires improvement

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The provision is good

Children benefit from the interesting and stimulating learning and development opportunities that they enjoy in the great outdoors. They gain a secure knowledge about their community and the natural world around them. Children experience a number of outings to various local places of interest and further afield. For example, they explore the local beach and go walking in the Lake District National Park. Children develop curiosity, confidence and self-esteem, through hands on learning experiences in a local woodland, where they socialise with other childminders and their children. They learn how to keep themselves safe while exploring the countryside and gain first-hand involvement in caring for animals, wildlife and the environment.

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The provision is good

Children establish a close and secure relationship with each other and the childminder. They enjoy their learning and demonstrate that they feel safe and secure. For example, children smile and giggle in sheer delight when spoken to by visiting adults during activities. Children confidently name the colours found in paint pots and explain what happens when they mix two colours. They use a range of tools with precision. For example, children practise writing the letters of their name and manage not to go over the lines while creating their picture. Children are well behaved. They remain focused on the activities they engage in and play well alongside each other and with the childminder. Children are highly independent and well prepared for their future move on to school.

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The provision is good

The childminder ensures that her practice helps to keep children and families safe throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. For instance, children and visitors use antibacterial gel before entering the home and children are dropped off and collected at the front door.

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need to do better?

n The childminder has high expectations for children and offers a range of interesting experiences across the curriculum. She places a clear focus on promoting children's independence, communication and language, emotional development and literacy skills. Books, music and songs are used well and help to reinforce learning. The childminder knows the children well. She successfully uses her observation and assessment of what children already know and can do, to plan for children's next steps in learning. n The childminder demonstrates a genuine love and enjoyment of her work. She is clearly motivated and keen to continuously develop the service she provides. The childminder accesses available training to inform her practice. For example, she recently completed a course on supporting anxiety in children. She found the training gave her a better understanding of how the COVID-19 pandemic

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need to do better?

24 January 2022 has had an impact on children's mental health and social skills. She uses her knowledge of how to help children manage their emotions to support children new to her setting to settle. n The childminder is a positive role model. She creates a loving environment for children, where they thrive. She praises children's efforts with sincerity and values their ideas, helping them to feel cherished. Children are highly independent. For example, they get themselves ready in their outdoor clothing before going into the garden. They competently see to their own hygiene routines and help to tidy away toys. Visual displays prompt discussions at mealtimes which help children to learn about healthy eating. n Children enjoy reading books with the childminder and they learn to recognise their name and letters of the alphabet. Although some mathematical language is used, there are occasions during activities when the childminder does not

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need to do better?

challenge and extend children's mathematical skills and understanding even further. n Parents are highly complimentary about the childminder and the service she provides. They comment on the '5-star service' and how the childminder is 'fantastic'. Parents have seen progress in their children's development and comment on how happy their children are to attend the setting. They value the information they receive and the advice about how to support their children's learning at home. Some of the children attend other childcare settings. However, information sharing is not established between the childminder and these settings to ensure a fully consistent approach to children's learning. n The childminder provides learning experiences that build on children's interests and skills. She promotes children's language development through her skilful interactions as they play. The childminder poses a good range of questions to

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need to do better?

engage children in meaningful conversations. For example, children confidently share their feelings and emotions while looking at home-made emotion spoons. They tell the childminder that they are happy and discuss with her what makes them sad.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The childminder has a secure knowledge of how to protect children from abuse and harm. She knows the procedures to follow if she has concerns and who to report her concerns to. The childminder completes appropriate training to keep her safeguarding knowledge up to date. All the required documentation and records are in place to ensure the welfare and safety of children. This includes her current first-aid certificate, which ensures she knows what to do if a child has an accident. The childminder supervises children well and checks the environment they play in is safe and secure. The childminder carries out risk assessments to help keep children safe on outings and in the car. She ensures that children are closely supervised at all times.

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should:

n develop further children's early mathematical skills and challenge their understanding of number n share information about children's learning and development with any other settings they attend to ensure a consistent approach to supporting their progress.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY547029 Local authority Lancashire Inspection number 10118253 Type of provision Childminder

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Registers

Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register Day care type Childminder

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inspection

Total number of places 6 Number of children on roll 12 Date of previous inspection 16 July 2019

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2017. She lives in Bolton-Le-Sands, Carnforth, Lancashire. She operates all year round from 7.30am to 5.30pm, Monday to Friday, except for bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder provides free funded early years education for two-, 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 their evaluation of the provider. n The inspector and the childminder completed a learning walk together to discuss the childminder's intentions for children's learning. n The childminder took part in a joint observation with the inspector. The inspector considered the quality of education during activities and the impact this has on children's learning. n The children spoke with the inspector and invited her into their play at appropriate times throughout the inspection. The inspector observed interactions and the conversations between the childminder and the children and considered the impact these have on children's learning. n The inspector took into account the written views of parents. n The childminder provided the inspector with a sample of key documentation on

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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

24 January 2022 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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