Childminder in Lancashire

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

Children flourish in the care of this knowledgeable childminder and her assistant. They enter eagerly and immediately become involved in the vast array of exciting activities on offer. Children sit with anticipation as the childminder introduces objects of interest. They gasp as she opens a suitcase and excitedly explore and name the items they can find. Children communicate confidently about their experiences of holidays. They all giggle as they try on holiday items such as swimsuits. Children are extremely motivated and very eager to join in. They demonstrate positive attitudes to learning.

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The provision is outstanding

Children are extremely independent. They help to cut up fruit before snack time and independently wash their hands. Children keep on trying as they put on their shoes and as the adults offer help. They proudly exclaim that they can do it themselves. Children are extremely confident and self-assured.

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The provision is outstanding

Children have developed loving relationships with the adults and each other. They play cooperatively and know the routine and the expectations. As children hear the tidy-up song, they dance along as they return the resources. Children remind each other to tidy up before they sit excitedly for the next activity. They label their emotions and are encouraged to talk about their feelings. Children's behaviour is exceptional.

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need to do better?

n Transition arrangements are highly effective and child centred. The childminder provides a flexible settling-in period and home visits where she can focus on building positive relationships with the children before they start attending. The childminder has excellent relationships with the local schools and invites the teachers into her home to meet the children before they move on to school. She ensures that children feel safe and secure and are prepared for the next stage in their learning. n The childminder makes excellent use of training opportunities to develop her already outstanding knowledge and skills. She supports her assistant through regular supervision meetings and observations of their practice. The childminder has completed sign language training and has shared her learning with the children. As a result, the children now use simple words with sign language to communicate their wants and needs.

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need to do better?

n Assessment procedures are highly effective. Precise information is shared with parents regularly. The childminder swiftly identifies any concerns with children's development. She ensures appropriate help is provided by seeking the support of external agencies to ensure all children, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities, make excellent progress in their learning.

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need to do better?

27 July 2022 n The childminder provides a well-sequenced and interesting curriculum. She is knowledgeable about each child's interests and how they learn. The childminder plans high-quality opportunities to strengthen children's hand muscles in preparation for writing. Children persevere as they squeeze pipettes when mixing different coloured water together. Children that flourish outside are encouraged to practise their early writing skills with twigs and mud. Children make rapid progress in their learning. n The childminder is very skilled at interacting with children as they play. The childminder and her assistant model language and introduce new words as children play, such as 'pipette'. The childminder reads books in a way that excites children and invites them to bring their favourite superhero along to enjoy the story with them. The childminder regularly takes the children to the local library. Children show a love of books and choose their favourite stories to

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need to do better?

enjoy back at the childminder's home. n Children benefit from many opportunities to learn about communities beyond their own. The childminder and her assistant take children on regular trips to their caravan. They visit the local forest and farm. This provides a wonderful opportunity for children to play together in the fresh air and widens their experiences and understanding of the diverse world. n Parents highly recommend the childminder and her assistant. They value the excellent communication they receive and feel fully informed about all aspects of their children's care and education. Parents say their children 'love it here' and they enter every day full of excitement. Parents have seen excellent progress with their children's development since they have started at this setting. n Children's health and well-being are extremely well supported. The childminder and her assistant grow strawberries and tomatoes in the garden with the

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need to do better?

children and then children enjoy their produce at snack time. Children regularly stop to have a drink of water and they know they must wash their hands before mealtimes. Children make healthy choices.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The childminder has an excellent understanding of her role to safeguard children. The childminder and her assistant have an in-depth awareness of the possible signs that may indicate a child is at risk of harm. The childminder is committed to multi- agency working. She has completed training to enable her to take on the lead professional role should families require a multi-agency response. The childminder has an excellent knowledge of support available in the community for families that may benefit from this. Children learn to keep themselves safe when on outings, as they know they must stay close to the adults and hold hands when they cross the road.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY344889 Local authority Lancashire Inspection number 10129062 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 13 Date of previous inspection 28 July 2015

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2006 and lives in Rossendale, Lancashire. She operates all year round from 8am to 5.30pm, Monday to Friday, except bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder holds an appropriate early years qualification at level 3 and works with an assistant. She provides funded early education for two-, three- and four-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 setting. n The childminder showed the inspector the premises and discussed how they ensure it is 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 The childminder spoke to the inspector about their intentions for children's learning. n The inspector talked to the children, the childminder and her assistant at appropriate times during the inspection and took account of their views. n The childminder and the inspector carried out a joint observation outdoors. n Parents shared their views of the childminder with the inspector. n The childminder provided the inspector with a sample of key documentation on

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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 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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