Childminder in Cheshire West and Chester

Overall effectiveness Good

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

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The provision is good

The childminder is mindful that since the COVID-19 pandemic, some children may have missed out on social opportunities and may need more support with settling in. The childminder adapts the settling-in process to support individual children. She shares information and photos to reassure parents. Parents say it is a second home for their children and confirm that children settle quickly.

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The provision is good

Children are kind and considerate. They happily share toys with their friends and the childminder. Children are quick to help tidy up. They understand the expected behaviours at the setting and behave well.

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The provision is good

Children are confident learners. They are keen to take part in a wide range of learning opportunities that the childminder provides to build on what children can do and like. She has high expectations for all children. The childminder and her assistants carefully assess and monitor what children can do. Younger children concentrate for long periods of time as they scoop and pour water with jugs and bowls. The childminder shows them how to use jugs and tools to make it look like rain. She understands how to extend children's play and thinking skills.

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need to do better?

n Overall, the childminder supports children's communication skills. As children play with vegetables in their market stall, they learn new words, such as 'sprouts' and 'corn'. The childminder and her assistants encourage children's attempts at using new words and teach children the correct pronunciation of words. Children broaden their vocabulary. n Children benefit from engaging interactions at mealtimes. They learn about the food and where it comes from. However, the assistants stand behind babies and focus on care and tasks. Babies are supervised but miss out on consistently high-quality interactions at mealtimes to encourage their early speech. n The childminder encourages a love of reading. Children independently explore books as well as enjoying stories read to them by the childminder. Children listen attentively and talk about the characters from the story. n The childminder has not yet fully considered how to make song and rhymes

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need to do better?

highly engaging to children. Songs are frequently played as low background noise. When staff sing rhymes to children, they do not always sing with enthusiasm. Children pay little attention and do not join in with songs or actions. n Children's independence is promoted well. Toddlers peel their bananas at snack time and clear their plates away. They are encouraged to make choices about their play. Children are independent in their care and learning. n The childminder teaches children about the importance of healthy lifestyles. Younger children wash their hands before meals and learn it is important to

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need to do better?

28 February 2022 brush their teeth. Children learn how to take care of their personal hygiene. n Children enjoy regular fresh air and active play. They laugh as they run through bubbles in the garden and enjoy learning to push themselves along on ride-on cars. Children learn to gain control of their bodies and negotiate space. n The assistants report that the childminder supports their professional development and values their well-being. She coaches them and encourages the sharing of feedback and ideas to further develop the quality of teaching. Children benefit from the committed team who role model cooperation and good manners. n Parents comment how supportive the childminder and her assistants are. They regularly update parents on children's progress. The childminder shares information and resources to help support children's learning at home. Parents comment positively on the support their children receive to help them with their

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need to do better?

development. n The childminder has developed strong links with the local pre-school. She gathers information and supports what children are learning to do at other settings. Children continue their learning with her and benefit from this consistent approach in supporting their learning. n The childminder ensures her early years knowledge remains current. After reviewing recent changes in guidance, she has reduced the amount of unnecessary paperwork to focus on discussing children's progress with her assistants. Children benefit from this approach, as the childminder and her assistants all understand how to support individual children with their learning.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The childminder and her assistants complete training that helps to ensure they have a secure understanding of safeguarding. All adults working with children are able to explain the signs and symptoms that can indicate that a child is at risk of harm. The childminder understands her role to report any concerns and protect children. This includes reporting any concerns about other professionals' conduct. She has robust procedures in place to help keep children safe. The childminder and her assistants minimise risks and ensure that areas used by children are clean.

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should:

n strengthen the organisation of younger children's mealtimes so that all children benefit from consistently high-quality interactions to help support their communication and language skills n enhance the teaching of songs and rhymes, so that children learn the words and actions to them.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY482364 Local authority Cheshire West and Chester Inspection number 10221864 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 22 Date of previous inspection 25 April 2017

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2014 and lives in Winsford, Cheshire. The childminder holds an appropriate early years qualification at level 3 and works with four assistants, of which two hold an appropriate early years qualification at level 3. She operates from 8am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, all year round, except for family holidays.

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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 into account in the evaluation of the setting. n The childminder and the inspector completed a learning walk together to discuss the childminder's intentions for children's learning. n The inspector observed the childminder deliver a planned activity and discussed children's learning. n The inspector observed the interactions between the childminder, her assistants and children. n The inspector spoke to children, to find out about their time at the setting. n Parents shared their written views of the setting with the inspector. The inspector took account of their views.

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Inspection activities

28 February 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

28 February 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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