Childminder in Stockport

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 show that they feel happy and safe in the childminder's welcoming provision. They settle readily to a play dough activity with the childminder's assistant. Pre-school children succeed in using two hands to form smooth balls of dough. They look carefully to decide which ball is the biggest and which is the smallest. This helps children to learn about relative size. Younger children have fun rolling and throwing the balls. This helps them to discover more about the properties of spheres. Children find out that if they squash the balls really hard, they turn into flat round discs. This helps to strengthen children's arms and hands. The childminder and her assistant give children individual encouragement. They show that they are ambitious for each child's progress.

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The provision is good

Parents and carers praise the support and reassurance that the childminder provided during the COVID-19 restrictions. She gave children time to get used to being back in her provision, then gradually reintroduced them to group activities in the wider community. They now participate confidently and welcome the company of other adults and children. Children behave well. They know the childminder's consistent expectations for their conduct. When children hear the lively tidy-up music, they willingly join in with clearing away the toys.

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need to do better?

n The childminder gains information and training from a range of sources. She implements what she learns. For example, the childminder extended her knowledge of how young children begin to manage their own thoughts, feelings and actions. She now teaches children ways to regulate powerful emotions. This helps to promote children's self-control and readiness to learn. n The childminder intends for children to continuously extend their vocabulary. She helps them to learn words such as 'centipede' and 'scorpion' when they play with plastic models of small animals. However, there are occasions when she does not model words and short phrases consistently. This does not help children to make the swiftest possible progress in learning to speak. n The childminder and her assistant understand how children learn. They encourage children to explore freely and follow their own lines of enquiry. Toddlers work hard to lock and unlock the interesting fastenings attached to the

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need to do better?

garden fence. They repeatedly hold and release the springy door stop. It vibrates noisily and satisfyingly. Children therefore learn first hand about the power of metal springs. n Children eat a balanced diet. They know that fruit is healthy and that eating cheese makes their bones strong. This knowledge helps children to make informed choices about food. Children learn habits that contribute to their safety and well-being. They know that they must wear hats and apply sun cream

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need to do better?

20 April 2022 before they go outdoors on hot days. n Children learn to count and use numbers as they play. The childminder helps them to notice that small animals have different numbers of legs. They count the legs and find that centipedes have lots of legs, while caterpillars have none. Children therefore hear and use words that describe quantity. They learn that every number has a precise value. n Parents say the childminder achieves the right balance between a professional and personal relationship with them. They are pleased with how she shows them that play activities link to what she intends children to learn. Parents comment that the childminder's clear communication helps them to continue children's learning. This helps everyone to work together to promote children's progress. n The childminder is an active member of a group of local childminders. They praise her 'unwavering support'. Members of the group observe each other's

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need to do better?

practice. They offer ideas and advice about what they see. The childminder takes account of this insightful peer support when she evaluates her provision. n The childminder teaches children about the wider world. They go on walks and join in with group activities in the local area. The childminder encourages children to talk and think about events that concern them, such as war. She works closely with parents to address difficult subjects appropriately and consistently. This helps to inform children's thinking and reassure them.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The childminder and her assistant attend training that refreshes and updates their knowledge of child protection matters. The childminder checks that her assistant understands the provision's safeguarding policy. Her assistant knows what to do if an allegation about the childminder's behaviour towards children is made. The childminder demonstrates her capacity to recognise signs that children's welfare could be at risk. She takes prompt action to seek and act on advice from the local authority safeguarding team. The childminder teaches children rules that help to keep them safe. For example, children learn that they must not share details about their identity with anyone online.

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should:

n strengthen techniques for modelling language, so that children rapidly learn the words they need to express their knowledge and ideas.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY249281 Local authority Stockport Inspection number 10071292 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 12 Number of children on roll 15 Date of previous inspection 8 April 2015

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2003 and lives in Stockport. Her provision operates all year round, from 7am to 6.30pm, Monday to Friday, except for bank holidays and family holidays. She holds a qualification at level 3. The childminder provides funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children. She works with one full-time assistant. Three members of the childminder's family work as assistants on an occasional or part-time basis.

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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 provider and has taken that into account in their evaluation of the childminder. n The childminder and the inspector discussed the childminder's intentions for her curriculum. They considered the impact of activities on children's progress. n The inspector observed interactions between the childminder, her assistant and the children. She spoke with and played with children. n Parents spoke with the inspector. She read their written feedback and questionnaires. The inspector took account of parents' views. n Documents used in the childminder's setting were sampled by the inspector. The inspector checked evidence of the suitability of the childminder and her assistants.

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Inspection activities

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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