Childminder in Halton

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 relish their time with the childminder. She builds positive relationships with children and their families. Children feel safe and secure in the childminder's familiar and well-organised playroom and garden. They benefit a great deal from regular outings where they extend their learning. For example, the childminder takes them to the local woods and park for forest school sessions. Children have opportunities to learn about managing risks and keeping safe. They willingly lead their own play and learning and are familiar with the childminder's setting. Children confidently explore the resources and toys and happily play with their chosen activity. For example, during play in the mud kitchen, children use rolling pins to flatten the mud. This helps to develop their fine motor skills. The childminder has high expectations of children's behaviour. Children behave well, use good manners and play together harmoniously.

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The provision is good

Children are given plenty of time to develop new skills. They relish the support and encouragement from the childminder to keep trying. When they find something tricky, such as cutting up fruit for snack, they persevere until they achieve their aim. Consequently, children are confident to have a go at things and enjoy celebrating their successes with the childminder.

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need to do better?

n The childminder identifies children's starting points in learning through careful observations, discussions and information packs from parents. She helps children to build on their skills systematically, for example by supporting the non-mobile babies to begin to cruise along furniture before taking their first steps. n The childminder has a good understanding of the curriculum. Children benefit from a wide range of purposeful and exciting activities. For instance, children select props from the nursery rhyme sack as they sing songs. They begin to count the ducks for 'Five little ducks' before singing. Occasionally, activities are not fully considered to ensure that all children remain engaged. Therefore, some children miss out on some learning opportunities. n The childminder promotes children's communication, language and literacy skills well. She encourages children to listen to 'Dear Zoo' and asks them to identify

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need to do better?

the animals in turn. The childminder introduces print in all areas. She introduces children to new words, such as 'sticky' and 'sloppy', which they repeat. This helps children to increase their vocabulary. Children are becoming confident communicators. They happily talk and begin to put more words together. For example, they say, 'I can do that.' n Children have many opportunities to be active and enjoy spending time outdoors. The childminder explains how she uses the garden to help to promote

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need to do better?

20 April 2022 children's physical development, health and well-being. Children learn about the natural world. They enjoy weekly outings in the local community, rhyme time sessions at local children's centres, and going on visits to the safari park. n The childminder supports children to learn about what contributes to a healthy lifestyle. She has recently completed the local authority healthy eating accreditation scheme. Children get plenty of fresh air and exercise in the garden. n The childminder provides healthy meals for the children and speaks to parents about healthy eating options at home. She encourages children to wash their hands before mealtimes. However, the childminder does not always consider how she can support children effectively to learn about good oral health. This prevents children from learning about the importance of caring for their teeth. n The childminder is reflective and regularly evaluates her own practice. She is

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need to do better?

eager to constantly advance and improve. To support this, she engages with regular training and uses her new knowledge to further raise the standards of education she provides. She identifies areas for improvement and then actively works to enhance these areas. This has a positive effect as she is able to refine her approaches, which ultimately raises the quality of education for children. n Parents comment positively about the childminder. For example, they say, 'Words cannot express how wonderful she is with children. She is one of a kind, who treats our child like they are one of her own and we are all made to feel like we are part of her family.' Parents praise the childminder for providing varied activities and developing lasting relationships with children. Partnerships between home and the childminder enable parents to play an active part in children's learning and development.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The childminder has a detailed understanding of the procedures that need to be followed if she has any concerns about a child. She knows what signs and symptoms may indicate a child is at risk of harm. The childminder has detailed policies in place to support her practice. Children are kept safe as the childminder ensures that thorough risk assessments are carried out. The childminder carefully considers any potential risks and takes action to minimise these.

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should:

n encourage children to develop a secure understanding of good oral hygiene and how to care for their teeth n plan more precisely to help children to engage in meaningful play opportunities at all times.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY483746 Local authority Halton Inspection number 10231384 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 5 Number of children on roll 5 Date of previous inspection 25 August 2016

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2014 and lives in the Runcorn area of Cheshire. She operates all year round from 7am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, except for bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder holds an appropriate childcare qualification at level 3.

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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 that into account in their evaluation of the setting. n A learning walk took place with the childminder to discuss the curriculum intent and how the provision is organised. n The childminder and the inspector carried out a joint observation of a story time activity. n The inspector took account of the views of parents who had sent in correspondence. n The inspector observed interactions between the childminder and the children.

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Inspection activities

20 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

20 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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