Childminder in Sheffield

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

Children are happy and settled with the childminder and her co-childminder in the relaxed and homely environment. They use a selection of interesting and good- quality resources, which the childminder thoughtfully organises. The childminder wants to make learning memorable for children. Children go on regular trips to local woodlands. They engage especially well with their learning at these times. Children are developing a real interest in, and respect for, the natural world. For example, they know to walk carefully so they do not stand on the snails.

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The provision is good

Children play together happily and develop friendships. The childminder uses a gentle and sensitive approach to help children gain a sense of what is right and wrong. She calmly intervenes to resolve any conflicts that arise during play. Children are consistently praised for their achievements.

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The provision is good

The childminder is aware of the potential impact that the COVID-19 pandemic has had on children's learning and development. She recognises that children benefit from social interaction, and plans experiences to support this. For instance, with local playgroups still not being back to pre-COVID-19 levels, she meets a number of childminders and their children in the local parks to support the children's social development.

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need to do better?

n The childminder is organised in how she manages her setting and is professional in her approach. She ensures that her mandatory training remains up to date. The childminder reflects on her practice. However, she has not yet clearly identified what she needs to improve, or placed a sharp enough focus on how to enhance her skills even further to ensure the highest outcomes for children. n The childminder is effective in helping children to understand the importance of leading a healthy lifestyle. Children benefit from plenty of fresh air and exercise, for example through regular visits to parks and woods. The childminder encourages them to follow good hygiene routines and to make healthy food choices. She works with families to promote healthy packed lunches. n The childminder teaches children to be independent from an early age. She helps to develop their much-needed self-care skills. Children are gently

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need to do better?

encouraged to put on their coats and shoes and pull up their trousers after getting changed. They help to tidy away toys when they have finished playing. n Children regularly demonstrate their mathematical skills during play. The childminder encourages them to count the wheels on the truck and bicycles as they look at vehicles in a book. The childminder engages children throughout the day with stories. She uses her voice to make these sound exciting. Children listen intently and are fascinated. They thoroughly enjoy the experience and

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need to do better?

7 April 2022 bring her more books to share. n The childminder supports children to develop strong communication and language skills. She listens carefully to children and responds immediately, repeating their words back to them. The childminder introduces new words, such as 'spikey' and 'sharp', as children look at the leaves on a bush during a walk. This extends even the youngest children's language skills and, as a result, they make good progress in this area of their development. n Children enjoy matching pictures of animals in a familiar song. Children join in with repeated refrains such as 'EIEIO' in 'Old MacDonald Had A Farm'. When the childminder makes animal noises, children laugh and join in. n The childminder builds positive relationships with parents from the start. She understands the importance of helping children to settle. The childminder makes observations and detailed assessments to continually monitor children's

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need to do better?

progress. She uses this information to plan activities that support their next steps in learning. The childminder gives parents regular feedback about their children's experiences and development. n Parents speak very highly of the care that the childminder provides. Parents comment that the childminder and her co-childminder provide a 'relaxed and happy environment' where children make many 'happy memories'. They would recommend the childminder and her co-childminder to other parents.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The childminder has a comprehensive knowledge of safeguarding and child protection. She keeps up to date with child protection legislation and wider safeguarding issues. The childminder can identify the signs and symptoms which may indicate that a child is at risk of harm. She is also aware of who to contact if she is concerned about a child in her care. The childminder has a wide range of policies to support her good practice and promote children's safety and welfare. The childminder is teaching children about road safety. She gives them the responsibility of telling her when it is safe to cross, building their knowledge and confidence.

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should:

n develop the process of self-evaluation to identify areas of improvements to raise outcomes for children.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 300456 Local authority Sheffield Inspection number 10071183 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 4 Date of previous inspection 11 June 2015

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 1989 and lives in the Halfway area of Sheffield. She works with her daughter, who is her co-childminder. The childminder operates on Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 8.30am to 5pm and on Thursdays from 8.30am to 3pm, all year round, except for bank holidays and family holidays. She holds a childcare qualification equivalent to level 3.

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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 childminder and the inspector completed a learning walk at the start of the inspection to discuss and observe how children's learning and development and safety are promoted. n The inspector, the childminder and her co-childminder completed a joint observation of an activity and discussed the impact on children's learning and development. n The inspector read parent testimonials to gain their views on the childminder's setting. n The inspector looked at a sample of the childminder's documents. This included evidence of training and the suitability of those living on the premises.

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Inspection activities

7 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

7 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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