Childminder in Knowsley

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 form warm and secure attachments with this caring childminder. They greet her with a hug and a smile before running into play with their friends. Children thrive on individual attention. For example, older children confidently share ideas and ask the childminder to join in their play, while younger children sit close to her and choose their favourite stories. The childminder has clear boundaries and high expectations of all children. She encourages them to be patient and teaches the use of good manners. As a result, children are very polite and well behaved.

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The provision is good

Children benefit from fresh air and exercise. They learn about the world around them and enjoy the many trips in their local community. For example, while on their daily walk, children look for signs of spring and talk about how bees pollinate the flowers.

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The provision is good

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the childminder opened as soon as it was safe to do so. She took steps to keep everyone safe and maintained consistent links between home and the setting. As a result, children returned happy and settled.

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need to do better?

n The childminder knows the children well and uses this knowledge to provide an exciting curriculum that builds on their interests and supports them to make good progress. She provides a balance of adult-led and child-initiated activities to promote children's learning effectively. n The childminder places a strong emphasis on promoting children's communication and language skills. For example, she uses skilful questioning, talks through what she is doing and repeats words that children use. This helps to promote children's speaking skills as they hear the correct pronunciation of words. n Children's early mathematical skills are promoted well. For example, while on a walk, the childminder supports children to count train carriages and compare the size of sticks. She skilfully supports them to develop critical thinking skills and solve problems, such as how to get sticks to stand up to make a tent for their

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need to do better?

picture. n Children develop early literacy skills and demonstrate a love of reading. They choose from a range of familiar books and thoroughly enjoy story time. Children are eager to join in and use puppets and props with enthusiasm at appropriate times. n Overall, the childminder provides children with a range of learning opportunities that follow their interests. This ensures that they are excited and motivated to learn. However, the childminder does not provide as much support for children

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need to do better?

1 April 2022 to develop their early mark-making and pre-writing skills. n The childminder monitors children's development regularly and shares this information with parents. However, she does not consistently share information with other professionals, including schools. As a result, opportunities to identify gaps in development and to further children's learning are missed. n Communication between parents and the childminder is effective. Information about what the children have enjoyed each day is shared electronically and through daily conversations. Parents praise the childminder's flexibility and caring nature. They comment that they 'couldn't have found a better childminder'. n The childminder evaluates her provision effectively. This enables her to improve her practice. The childminder accesses a variety of mandatory training, including safeguarding and first aid. She uses the knowledge gained to update her policies

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need to do better?

and procedures. n Children's good health and well-being are promoted well. High standards of hygiene are maintained throughout all childcare areas. Children learn good hygiene routines and implement these willingly. Food is nutritious and well balanced, with consideration given to children's individual preferences and dietary needs. n The childminder provides experiences for children to learn about diversity and the wider world within her curriculum. For example, when learning about the celebration of Chinese New Year, the children enjoyed eating Chinese foods, listening to music and making their own dragon puppets.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The childminder's safeguarding knowledge and arrangements are robust. She can clearly identify the signs and symptoms which may indicate that a child is at risk of harm. The childminder has a clear understanding of wider safeguarding issues and knows the steps she would take to report her concerns in order to keep children safe. She risk assesses her premises each day and takes steps to minimise hazards. The childminder keeps her safeguarding knowledge up to date through training and independent research. She reviews her policies regularly and ensures that she maintains her first-aid certificate.

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should:

n embed a more consistent approach to sharing information about children's development with other professionals, including schools n provide further opportunities for children to practise mark making and develop their early writing skills.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 2551883 Local authority Knowsley Metropolitan Borough Council Inspection number 10215751 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 8 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2019 and lives in Roby, Knowsley. She operates Monday to Friday from 7.30am to 6pm all year round. The childminder holds a childcare qualification at level 3.

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Inspection activities

n This is the first routine inspection the childminder received since the COVID-19 pandemic began. The inspector discussed any continued impact of the pandemic with the childminder and has taken that into account in their evaluation of the childminder. n The inspector made observations of children's interactions in play and discussed their learning and development with the childminder. n A joint observation of an activity was undertaken by the inspector and the childminder. n The inspector viewed documentation such as safeguarding policies and required records, including first-aid and training certificates. n The childminder showed the inspector written comments given to her by parents about her practice. n The inspector had discussions with the childminder, including about her self- evaluation and how it helps her to make continual improvements.

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Inspection activities

1 April 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

1 April 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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