Childminder in Lancashire

Overall effectiveness Good

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

p.1

The provision is good

The childminder and her assistant work closely together to provide a delightfully nurturing and relaxed environment. Children are well behaved, happy, and settled in their care. They enjoy wonderful relationships with each other, and with both adults who look after them.

p.2

The provision is good

Children access a good range of resources and activities that support their learning and development. They move around freely and safely, helping themselves to activities that capture their interest. Children engage well in one-to-one and small- group play in which they demonstrate their motivation to learn.

p.2

The provision is good

Children develop their own creative ideas. For example, they design a 'Winter' themed picture. They handle tools with care and precision. Children listen carefully and follow the guidance offered to them. For example, they swirl the glue round on their glue stick, so that they just have sufficient to stick images of arctic animals to their card. Children's early writing skills are supported as they confidently write their name on their end product.

p.2

The provision is good

Children love being outdoors in the fresh air, where they further develop their physical skills. For example, they build on their core strength, coordination and agility while climbing on large play equipment and while using wheeled toys. Children beam with delight as they successfully manage to walk along low-level balance beams. They relish taking care of the pet rabbits and help to put them in the pen on the grass.

p.2

The provision is good

The childminder works very closely with parents. She has flexibly adapted arrangements during the COVID-19 pandemic. For example, she has conscientiously introduced extra hygiene measures and a doorstep drop off and collection procedure. The childminder takes the time to keep in touch with parents. She constantly shares information online and places extra information on a notice board in the window of her home.

p.2

need to do better?

n The childminder and her assistant have high expectations for children. They lead by example and treat children with the utmost kindness and respect. This is reflected in the children's excellent behaviour, demonstrated towards their friends. Children listen carefully and follow instructions. They learn to share and take turns. Children's emotional well-being is supported very effectively. For example, they understand that their actions have consequences and can make others feel sad. Children take pride in doing things for themselves and develop their sense of responsibility very well. For example, they conscientiously help to

p.2

need to do better?

26 January 2022 put toys away, clear the table after meals, and put their used face cloths in the washing basket. The childminder and her assistant are very supportive. They offer children lots of encouragement and praise. This develops children's confidence and self-esteem very effectively. n Hygiene practises and routines are stringently followed. Children learn to be independent in their self-care from an early age. For example, they competently help themselves to tissues and wipe their own nose. After meals, they check in the mirror to see if they have wiped their faces properly. Children understand the importance of getting rid of germs. For instance, they clearly explain to the childminder what they must do after feeding the pet rabbits while outside. n The childminder's recruitment and selection procedures are effective. She takes care to ensure that she employs assistants who are suitable to work with

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need to do better?

children. The childminder keeps herself up to date in her own professional development. This is equally considered through effective supervision and continuous development completed by her assistant. The childminder and her assistant work as an effective team. They share ideas and capitalise on each other's strengths. They carefully evaluate the provision, making improvements and adjustments. Children are regularly observed during their play, and their progress is closely monitored and discussed with their parents. n Language and literacy feature highly in the childminder's ambitious and well- designed curriculum planning. Children demonstrate a love of books. For example, they have favourite stories and seek them out to share with the childminder and other children. Children enjoy singing songs and learn about letters and sounds. The childminder and assistant have lively conversations with the children and role model language well. They extend children's short phrases

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need to do better?

into sentences and provide children with a running commentary during activities. However, in their enthusiasm, they do not give children time to think about the questions posed and often provide the answer for them. Therefore, during such times, children do not receive the support to use their own critical thinking skills and to be able to respond with their thoughts and ideas. n Partnership with parents is good. Parents are extremely complimentary about the childminder and assistant. They state that they are 'thrilled to have found wonderful people who effectively support their children's learning'. They value the way the childminder keeps them informed of their children's progress, and how she provides them with ideas to extend children's learning at home.

p.3

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

p.3

Safeguarding

The childminder carries out thorough risk assessments. These help to maintain children's safety and security while in the home or garden, and when on outings in public spaces, such as school. The childminder and her assistant have an in-depth understanding of child protection issues, including radicalisation and extremism. They are fully alert to the possible signs of abuse and neglect, and know who to contact if concerned about a child's welfare. The childminder and assistant hold current paediatric first-aid certificates. They refresh their safeguarding knowledge

p.3

Safeguarding

26 January 2022 regularly by undertaking a range of relevant child protection training.

p.3

should:

n use effective questioning techniques to increase children's opportunities to use their own critical thinking skills and to be able to respond with their thoughts and ideas.

p.4

Setting details

Unique reference number EY560156 Local authority Lancashire Inspection number 10103597 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 11 Date of previous inspection 8 April 2019

p.5

Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2018 and lives in Morecambe, Lancashire. She operates from 8am to 5pm, Monday to Thursday, all year round except for bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder works with an assistant and both hold childcare qualifications. The childminder provides free funded early years education for two-, three- and four-year-old children.

p.5

Inspection activities

n This was the first routine inspection of the setting since the COVID-19 pandemic began. The inspector discussed the impact of the pandemic with the childminder and has taken that into account in their evaluation of the provision. n The inspector viewed the areas used for childminding and discussed with the childminder how she implements the educational programmes for the children. n The childminder and the inspector evaluated the effectiveness of the activities together. The inspector observed the children with the childminder and her assistant and spoke with them at appropriate times during the inspection. n The inspector took account of parents written views by reading their comments in messages. n Relevant documentation was reviewed by the inspector, including suitability checks and paediatric first-aid qualifications, and the childminder discussed her procedures for safeguarding the children.

p.5

Inspection activities

26 January 2022 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

26 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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