Childminder in Lancashire

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

The childminder nurtures children's emotional well-being. She forms a special bond with every child. Children are very happy and settled in the childminder's care. They show that they feel safe and secure. For example, children happily place their personal comfort items down to engage in play that interests them. They demonstrate a positive attitude to their play and learning and to each other. Children show patience when waiting for the childminder to read books in turn. They kindly hand out drinks bottles to their friends. Children are developing the ability to compromise. For instance, they willingly adapt where they will play, so that they can play together with their friends.

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The provision is good

The childminder promotes children's learning and development well. She quickly supports younger children when they express a desire to manage their personal care needs with increasing independence. This prepares younger children well for their move on to nursery. Younger children work together with their friends to solve any problems that they encounter during play. They demonstrate their knowledge of the sounds that different vehicles make when playing with the road track. Older children use their imagination to build a 'house' using construction materials. They show excitement when communicating information about home life events, such as a recent visit to the dentist.

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need to do better?

n The knowledgeable childminder challenges children to build on their current skills. For example, she encourages children to explore materials and how these change. Children are very eager to place chalks into water. They show great excitement when they notice the water changing colour. Children know where to obtain more water from as required. They use good physical skills to turn the tap on the water butt and transfer water from one container to another safely. n The childminder knows children and their families very well. She makes good use of any additional funding, to broaden children's home life experiences. Children enjoy visiting places, such as the nearby zoo and tractor park. They take interest in global events, such as the Gaia festival, and observe what the surface of the earth looks like as it appears from the moon. This is has a positive impact on children's knowledge of the world in which they live.

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need to do better?

n Since the onset of the pandemic, the childminder is beginning to place a sharper emphasis on supporting children's communication and language skills. During play with discovery blocks, she makes time to ask children questions, such as 'what's this', to build on the breadth of their vocabulary. However, the childminder does not repeatedly intervene to model words and phrases precisely for children to hear and say, to build on their pronunciation skills fully. n Partnerships with parents are good. The childminder shares daily information

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need to do better?

15 August 2022 with parents about the range of experiences that children engage in, including any progress they make. She is confident to discuss any early concerns with parents and other professionals, to ensure that children receive the help and support that they need. Parents say that 'the childminder is patient and caring' and they express that 'children love attending'. n The childminder uses effective teaching techniques to promote children's good health. Children listen carefully to stories about brushing teeth and recall the reasons why it is important to do this. They learn where some of their healthy food comes from when picking apples and brambles from the orchard. n The childminder largely supports children's independent choices during play. Some children express a desire to play on a large scale. They show good problem-solving skills when connecting pieces of track together to create a circuit for vehicles on the floor. However, at times, the childminder does not fully

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need to do better?

facilitate other children's requests, such as to play with trains on a smaller scale. This does not support all children to build fully on their preferred play themes, to help them to make the very best rates of progress. n The kind and caring childminder calmly intervenes to resolve the very few conflicts that arise during play. She reminds children to sit quietly at times, such as story time, so that all children are able to hear. Children of all ages accept the needs of others and show high levels of respect for their friends. They form close friendships with their peers ahead of their move on to school.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The childminder is aware of her role and responsibility to protect children's welfare. She completes a broad range of safeguarding training and refreshes her knowledge regularly. The childminder is alert to the signs and symptoms of abuse. She understands the procedures that she needs to follow in the event of a child protection concern. The childminder is confident to share safety advice with parents, such as the importance of managing screen time, to further promote children's health and safety at home. The childminder takes steps to keep children safe. For example, she ensures that fruit is cut up safely at snack time, to prevent any risk of choking.

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should:

n intervene more frequently and consistently during play and model words and phrases precisely for children to hear and say, to aid their developing pronunciation skills further n extend ways for all children to build further on their preferred play themes, to help them to make even higher rates of progress.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY480801 Local authority Lancashire Inspection number 10231911 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 7 Date of previous inspection 15 September 2016

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2014 and lives in Lancaster. She operates on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday, from 8am to 6pm, all year round, with the exception of bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder 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 that the provider 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 her evaluation of the provider. n The childminder led the inspector on a learning walk to show how her home is organised and to share information about the intent for the early years curriculum. n A planned activity was jointly evaluated by the inspector and the childminder. n The inspector held discussions with the childminder and children at appropriate times during the inspection. n A sample of documents were viewed by the inspector. These included, a record of the childminder's qualifications and training and some of the policies and procedures. n The inspector took account of the written feedback from parents.

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Inspection activities

15 August 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

15 August 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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