Bates, Melanie

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 know how to stay safe and truly blossom in this fun and exciting setting. They have exceptionally close bonds with the childminder. Children's communication and language development is a prominent feature of this setting. The childminder engages them in wonderful conversations and introduces new vocabulary at every opportunity. Children have a love of books and impressively link talk to something they have read about. For example, children are exploring the life cycles of caterpillars. They confidently use words, such as 'chrysalis', when explaining what will happen to the caterpillars and rush to find this in a book. The innovative childminder has helped the children nurture caterpillars they found in the garden. They observe their growth and change in a home they have made for them.

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The provision is outstanding

Children show incredibly high levels of independence. They demonstrate how they move safely around the challenging steps in the garden. The children explain potential hazards of the outdoor area and the importance of following the childminder's instructions. The childminder has exceptionally high expectations for behaviour. The children are taught to respect the family home and its contents rather than collectables being moved out of the way. Children demonstrate extraordinarily high levels of trust and place value on precious things. The childminder encourages this outdoors too, by teaching the children to value nature where they grow their own snacks like figs, apples and tomatoes. The children are learning which fruits are ripe enough to eat by identifying changes.

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need to do better?

n The childminder works amazingly hard to establish connections. She provides children with exceptional learning opportunities to support their understanding of cultures and beliefs beyond their own. This helps children to recognise their differences and understand what makes them unique. For example, she secured a piece of land in the community where she and the children grow things and do environmental art. While here, a Middle Eastern community show the children the produce they grow and how they cook it, providing tasting opportunities for them to enjoy. The children relish a wide variety of food from other cultures that the childminder cooks for them. One of their favourite dishes is curried goat. She regularly takes them to specific shops that provide multicultural ingredients. As well as learning about festivals in other cultures, the childminder takes the children to explore the local Chinese embassy.

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need to do better?

n The childminder is highly reflective. She is conscientious in all aspects of her practice. She constantly strives to improve the care she offers to further the progress of all children. The childminder engages in a vast array of additional training opportunities. Knowledge she gained around improving speech and

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need to do better?

9 August 2022 language has been used to positively influence the development of children who have been impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic. She has also used her experience of forest school to deepen her intent to take learning outdoors. The children enjoy flasks of homemade soup on picnics and cook on a camping stove. n Parents speak highly of the experienced childminder and deeply value the exceptionally close bond she forms with children. They acknowledge how this supports children's well-being and, indeed, their own. In times of adversity, the childminder has gone to extreme lengths to support parents who are managing children's illness. She recognises her role to keep in touch with children to support transition after treatment. She also eases the burden for parents too, providing food for them through a difficult time. n The childminder extends children's learning incredibly well in all activities. She

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need to do better?

has an extensive knowledge of children's next steps. For example, children do a bug hunt and those that are ready, are encouraged to use phonics to identify names of insects. Younger children are encouraged to examine features and similarities. n Children display impeccable manners. During independent play they share resources, thank each other, and retort "no problem" without need for adult approval or fuss. The childminder herself is an excellent role model. She always demonstrates good manners and high levels of respect for children and adults. n The childminder continued to provide exceptionally high-quality learning opportunities throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. She did 'zoom' meetings to support children's development at home. She provided activities for them and did story times on a weekly basis. When she reopened but tight restrictions were in place, the childminder provided ample opportunities for children to express

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need to do better?

emotion where they needed to. She supported the children in understanding there were some positives to the pandemic, but it was a frustrating time too. n The childminder monitors children's learning incredibly well. She uses this information to identify areas for development. The childminder skilfully plans exciting activities to support children's ongoing progress. She regularly communicates children's achievements with parents and other care providers. Parents praise how well she communicates with schools, ensuring as smooth a transition as possible for the children. n Where children have faced difficulties, for example, with eating, the childminder has visited children at home. She observes what happens and plans how she can either adapt her practice or collaborate with parents to ensure the children access the nutrition they need. This relationship is also evident with children with allergies. She cooks to accommodate the needs of all children.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The childminder is exceptionally knowledgeable about the warning signs and symptoms that can point to a child who is at risk. She is well informed about the steps to take if she has worries about a child's welfare. The childminder is up to

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Safeguarding

9 August 2022 date with first aid and safeguarding training. By doing this, she can stay informed about any changes to the law. To keep the children in her care safe, the childminder understands policies and procedures that she needs to abide by.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY252657 Local authority Stockport Inspection number 10129026 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 9 Date of previous inspection 19 May 2016

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2003 and lives in the Heaton Mersey area of Stockport. She operates all year round, from 7.30am to 5pm, Monday to Wednesday, except for bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder holds an appropriate qualification at level 3 and provides funded education for three-and four-year-old children. She 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 provider and has taken that into account in their evaluation of the provider. n The childminder joined the inspector on a learning walk and talked to the inspector about their curriculum and what she wants the children to learn. n The inspector spoke to children, to find out about their time at the setting. n Parents spoke to the inspector who took account of their views together with other parents' written feedback. n The inspector carried out a joint observation of an activity with the childminder.

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Inspection activities

9 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

9 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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