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 Requires improvement

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The provision is good

Children are extremely happy and safe in the childminder's home. The childminder and her assistant have successfully supported children to adapt to changes to arrival procedures due to the COVID-19 pandemic. As a result, children have formed positive and secure relationships with them. They eagerly enter the inviting and welcoming playroom and settle quickly as they immerse themselves in play.

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The provision is good

Children have positive relationships with each other, the childminder and her assistant. All children show great confidence and their behaviour is noteworthy. They are kind to each other, share the toys and help to tidy equipment away when asked to do so. Children beam with pride at successes that are rewarded with a 'high five'. This helps children develop high levels of confidence and self-assurance.

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The provision is good

Children learn about the world around them and the value of being outdoors as they regularly visit local parks, the local squirrel farm and zoos. This helps them also develop their large physical skills such as walking, running and jumping. Babies and toddlers have lots of opportunities to practise their emerging physical skills as the childminder provides equipment that enables them to pull themselves to a standing position and play with the older children.

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need to do better?

n The childminder reflects on the service she provides to continually improve her provision. Alongside her assistant, they show a great commitment to their own professional development. They implement training well into their day-to-day practice. Knowledge gained regarding effective communication and language benefits children who have regular language progress checks. Any identified gaps are quickly identified and early support ensures that no child falls behind. n Children benefit from a broad and varied curriculum. Children have great fun as they learn. They giggle as they playfully dress the assistant up in hats, giant glasses and scarves. They express their love of books and recall the story of the pirates when they unearth hidden treasure in the sandpit. They excitedly find the relevant book and predict the events while the story is read to them. Older children are successfully forming letters in their name. They identify numbers

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need to do better?

correctly and use positional language, such as behind, underneath and in front. n Accurate assessments of what children know and can do enables the childminder and her assistant to sequence education and focus on children's next stage of learning. All children are making good progress and display a positive attitude to learning. Babies practise their climbing skills as they climb in and out the sand tray placed at floor level. They practise their communication skills as the childminder introduces new words, such as a spade, sandcastle and scoop. All children are confident communicators.

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need to do better?

27 May 2022 n Overall, children show good levels of independence. Older children, who also attend nursery school, independently change out of their uniform and wash their hands when they arrive at the childminders. However, on occasion, such as during mealtimes, children are not given support to practise their independence skills even further. The organisation during these times also limits opportunities for younger children's developing social skills. n The childminder and her assistant have positive working relationships with parents. Parents comment that the excellent settling-in sessions mean their children are always excited to enter the childminder's home. Parents also appreciate the 'special touches' such as the regular photographs, videos and updates they receive about their children's care and development. They recognise that their children are making good progress and especially commend the childminder and her assistant on how their children's relationships have

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need to do better?

flourished with them. n The childminder develops effective links with other settings children attend. She shares children's progress information and bases her curriculum around similar themes children are learning. This collaborative approach ensures children have a smooth transition for their eventual move on to school. n Children experience many opportunities to learn about healthy lifestyles; they have planted and eaten fruits and vegetables in the childminder's garden. The childminder and her assistant teach children about eating foods that are good for them and how to care for their teeth. The childminder also provides homemade nutritional meals and ensures children drink plenty of fresh water. n The childminder supports children to have an in-depth understanding of festivals and celebrations. They learn how to use chopsticks and tell the inspector about the red money envelopes given as gifts to celebrate Chinese New Year. The

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need to do better?

diversity of other cultures is apparent in many aspects of the play equipment children use. This helps children to understand about life in modern Britain.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The childminder and her assistant understand their roles and responsibilities to safeguard children in their care. They keep their knowledge up to date by regularly completing relevant and current safeguarding training. The childminder has robust procedures in place in the event of a concern about a child's well-being. Both the childminder and her assistant are acutely aware of what action to take in the event of an allegation being made against any adult living or working on the premises. Children are also taught about not talking to strangers when on outings and how to keep themselves safe.

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should:

27 May 2022 n further enhance opportunities for babies to develop their personal and social skills n provider further support for older children's independence skills.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY545845 Local authority Knowsley Metropolitan Borough Council Inspection number 10218712 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 12 June 2019

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2017 and lives in Halewood, Liverpool. She operates all year round, from 7.30am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, except for bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder works with an assistant, who holds an appropriate qualification at level 2. The childminder provides funded early education for two- and three-year-old children.

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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 childminder. n The inspector completed a tour of the childminder's home. n Discussions were held at convenient times with the children, the childminder and her assistant. n The inspector discussed how the childminder delivers educational programmes for early years children. n The inspector held discussions with the childminder and her assistant to assess their knowledge of safeguarding and welfare requirements of the early years foundation stage and how the childminder evaluates her practice. n Consideration was given to parents' written comments. n The childminder and the inspector evaluated an activity led by her assistant and discussed the impact on children's learning. n Relevant documents were reviewed by the inspector, including qualifications and

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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

27 May 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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