Childminder in Knowsley

Overall effectiveness Outstanding

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

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The provision is outstanding

The childminder and her assistant provide an exceedingly warm, welcoming and homely environment, where each child is highly valued. Children flourish in the safe and inviting environment that the childminder has successfully created. They are highly confident, happy and content. Children have a wonderfully positive attitude to learning. They are curious, inquisitive and concentrate intently on their chosen activities.

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The provision is outstanding

The childminder's dedication and passion are abundantly clear. Following periods of closure during the pandemic, the childminder carried out door-stop visits to children's families. She shared resources and activity packs and held video calls with children. This ensured that the momentum in children's learning was not lost and had an instrumental impact on children's smooth transition as they returned to her setting. Subsequently, children show high levels of emotional resilience.

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The provision is outstanding

Children's behaviour is exemplary. The childminder has exceptionally high expectations of what children can achieve and this extends to how they should behave in her home. Children instinctively remove their shoes on arrival and develop their independence skills as they replace them with slippers. They immediately sanitise their hands, confidently explaining why they must do this. Children relish the responsibility of helping the childminder set out activities. They share cups with their friends and distribute plates in readiness for snack time. Children continuously show kindness and concern for one another. They play harmoniously together, and their manners are impeccable.

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need to do better?

n Children's individual needs and experiences are central to everything that the childminder plans and implements. Children benefit from an exceptionally broad curriculum that closely reflects their interests and preferences. A highly stimulating and well-resourced learning environment enables children to make independent choices and initiate their own learning. Children develop their fine- motor skills as they cut flowers and thread them through card. They recall earlier learning about the lifecycle of a butterfly and talk about growth and decay. Children skilfully use mathematical language as they play, counting and comparing size. n Children have wonderful opportunities to learn about the world around them. They participate in regular trips to places of interest, travelling by bus, train and ferry. Children are encouraged to develop an understanding of communities wider than their own and learn about their place within society. The childminder

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need to do better?

teaches children about difference and diversity, challenges stereotypes and helps children to understand the importance of celebrating one another's uniqueness.

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need to do better?

26 July 2022 This successfully promotes inclusion and prepares children exceedingly well for life in modern Britain. n Children display impressive levels of determination and concentration. For example, when young children try to separate stacking dolls, they persevere when at first they do not succeed. The childminder and her assistant offer gentle encouragement and guidance that supports children to achieve. Young children delight in the praise they receive and use their newfound knowledge to assist their friends, demonstrating and explaining what to do. Children continuously make links in the learning, recalling and applying of their knowledge in many different scenarios. Children are proud of their achievements and show high levels of emotional well-being, which in turn impacts positively on their readiness to learn. n The childminder demonstrates an incredibly high level of personal ambition and strives to be the very best childminder that she can be. This is echoed by her

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need to do better?

passionate and dedicated assistant. They attend purposeful training opportunities that have a significant impact on sustaining excellent outcomes for children. For example, the childminder is acutely aware of the potential impact following the pandemic on children's speech and language progress. She has attended specific training and applies strategies within her daily practice, to ensure no child is left behind. Furthermore, she sensitively shares information with parents, along with resources and suggestions for learning at home, to ensure that children make monumental progress in their language development. n The childminder has established excellent links with other providers in the local area. She uses her wealth of experience and knowledge to disseminate high- quality practice and raise standards for children. In addition to this, she facilitates a weekly drop-in group at the local children's centre that provides

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need to do better?

children and their families with the opportunity to make new friends and meet new people in the wider community. Furthermore, the childminder closely liaises with children's centre staff, to help signpost families to appropriate agencies and ensure that they receive any additional support they may need in a timely manner.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

Children's welfare is paramount. The childminder and her assistant have a robust understanding of the signs and symptoms that may indicate a child is at risk of harm. Both are extremely confident in their ability to identify and report concerns to other agencies as required. Whistle-blowing arrangements are clearly understood and the childminder fully understands her role and responsibility regarding 'Prevent' duty. Children are encouraged to learn about things that may cause them harm. For example, the childminder explains the importance of picking up toys from the floor so that they do not slip or trip. Meticulous documentation is maintained, and robust policies and procedures underpin the childminder's excellent practice.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY443467 Local authority Knowsley Metropolitan Borough Council Inspection number 10219767 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 6 Date of previous inspection 31 August 2016

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2012 and lives in Kirkby, Liverpool. She operates all year round, from 8.30am to 4pm, Tuesday to Thursday, except for bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder holds an appropriate qualification at level 4 and works with an assistant.

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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 The childminder and the inspector observed an activity and discussed the impact of this on children's learning. n The inspector reviewed the areas of the childminder's home that children use, to ensure that they are safe and suitable. n The inspector held discussions with the childminder, her assistant and children throughout the inspection. n The inspector took account of the written views of parents. n The childminder provided the inspector with a sample of key documentation, including the suitability of adults living in the household, first-aid certificates and relevant policies and procedures.

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Inspection activities

26 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

26 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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