Childminder in Cheshire West and Chester

Overall effectiveness Good

The quality of education Good Behaviour and attitudes Good Personal development Good Leadership and management Good Overall effectiveness at previous inspection Outstanding

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The provision is good

Children have developed strong relationships with the childminder, who is nurturing in her approach. Children continually demonstrate that they feel happy, safe and secure. The childminder praises children for their efforts and celebrates their achievements. Children's artwork is proudly displayed; this helps to develop children's self-esteem and sense of belonging. Children respond well to the childminder's generally high expectations of them. They are learning to share and to take turns. The childminder gives gentle encouragement and clear and consistent reminders of good behaviour. Children happily explore independently and make choices about what they wish to play with. They engage well in their chosen activities and mostly play harmoniously together.

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The provision is good

The childminder is aware that the COVID-19 pandemic has limited the opportunities available for children to help develop their social skills. Therefore, she regularly takes children to local parks and toddler groups, and story time at the library. This helps to ensure that children have frequent opportunities to mix with other children and develop their confidence in larger groups. The childminder uses these experiences to help children develop an understanding of the community in which they live.

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need to do better?

n The childminder provides children with a curriculum which follows their interests and builds on what they already know and can do. She uses assessment effectively to identify what children need to learn next. As a result, children are highly motivated and consistently demonstrate positive attitudes to learning. n The childminder supports children's communication and language skills effectively. She narrates children's play; this helps to give meaning to children's actions and ensures they hear a variety of vocabulary. The childminder reads enthusiastically when sharing stories and introduces new vocabulary. For example, children learn the language to describe their emotions as they listen to a story about feelings. As a result, children are confident in their communication. n Children have opportunities to develop their physical skills. The childminder creates opportunities for children to crawl, balance and climb in the garden. She

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need to do better?

encourages children to develop their small-muscle skills by screwing on lids and placing small objects into bottles. Children enjoy healthy and nutritious meals and snacks. They develop a good awareness of being physically healthy. n The childminder supports children with their self-care needs, for example when using the bathroom. However, children do not wash their hands independently as the childminder fills up a bowl for children to wash hands in at specific times of the day. This means that children are not always supported to independently develop their self-care skills.

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need to do better?

4 July 2022 n The childminder regularly accesses training to improve her knowledge and skills. She works closely with a network of local childminders. Children enjoy accessing larger groups of children to interact with and have made strong friendships. Together they attend groups, go on outings and visit local parks. These experiences help children to develop their social skills and self-confidence. n The childminder is a good role model. She reminds children to use good manners and supports them to understand boundaries, such as not jumping off the step in the garden as they could fall. Older children play well together. They engage others in their play and share ideas. However, when dealing with conflicts, the childminder does not have the same high expectations of all children. She sometimes misses key opportunities to support younger children's understanding of how their behaviour can affect others.

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need to do better?

n Partnerships with parents are strong. Parents' comments are extremely complimentary. They describe how they are 'fortunate to have the childminder' and how 'she feels like part of the family'. Parents say how much their children enjoy attending. They comment on the progress their children have made, particularly in the development of their social skills. Parents feel very well informed about their children's progress and how they can support learning at home.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The childminder fully understands her role in relation to keeping children safe. She regularly updates her knowledge by accessing training. The childminder can describe the signs that might indicate a child is at risk of harm. She knows how to access support should she have any concerns about a child. The childminder understands the process to follow should there be an allegation made about someone that lives in the household. She is vigilant in her supervision of children and makes sure the learning environment is safe and secure. The childminder encourages children to help identify risks in the environment. This helps children understand how to keep themselves safe.

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should:

n support young children to understand how their behaviour can affect others, to help them to manage their feelings effectively n consider how daily routines can be enhanced to support children's independence and progress even further.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY269499 Local authority Cheshire West and Chester Inspection number 10129034 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 10 Date of previous inspection 26 January 2016

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2004. She lives in Little Sutton, Ellesmere Port. The childminder provides care all year round, from 8am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, except for bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder holds an appropriate early years 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 provider and has taken that into account in their evaluation of the childminder. n The childminder showed the inspector the premises and discussed how they ensure they are safe and suitable. n The inspector observed the quality of education being provided, indoors and outdoors, and assessed the impact that this was having on children's learning. n Parents and carers shared their views of the provision with the inspector. n Children spoke to the inspector during the inspection. n The childminder provided the inspector with a range of documentation on request.

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Inspection activities

4 July 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

4 July 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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